Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Name: Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks; 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons butter; 1 medium onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon garam masala; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped; Salt to taste; Basmati rice or naan for serving

Restaurant-quality butter chicken in 30 minutes flat — tender chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced tomato sauce that is far higher in protein and lower in fat than your takeout version.

PROTEIN 40g

CALORIES 380

P:E RATIO 10.5

TIME 25m

YIELD 6

Creamy orange butter chicken with tender chunks of chicken in a rich tomato sauce garnished with cilantro

P:E 10.5

ELITE DENSITY

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks 40G PROTEIN

1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes PRODUCE

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt DAIRY

3 tablespoons butter DAIRY

1 medium onion, diced FLAVOR

4 cloves garlic, minced FLAVOR

1 tablespoon garam masala FLAVOR

1 teaspoon ground cumin FLAVOR

1 teaspoon turmeric FLAVOR

1 teaspoon smoked paprika FLAVOR

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper FLAVOR

1/4 cup heavy cream DAIRY

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped FLAVOR

Salt to taste FLAVOR

Basmati rice or naan for serving CARB BASE

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. The sauce thickens in the fridge — it is normal.
Batching: Greek yogurt replaces some of the heavy cream traditionally used, boosting protein while maintaining creaminess.
Reheat: Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth. Microwave for 2 minutes works too.

EXECUTION STEPS

HIGH HEAT SEAR

Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and cook onion for 3 minutes until softened.

VEGGIE STEAM-SAUTÉ

Add garlic, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.

THE MACRO PREP

Add chicken chunks and crushed tomatoes. Stir to coat chicken in the spice mixture.

HIGH HEAT SEAR

Cancel Sauté. Secure the lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.

STEP 5

Quick release pressure. Switch back to Sauté mode.

STEP 6

Stir in remaining butter, Greek yogurt, and heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

STEP 7

Garnish with cilantro and serve over basmati rice or with naan bread.

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Instant Pot Butter Chicken

INVENTORY LIST

MEAL PREP LOGISTICS

EXECUTION STEPS

HIGH HEAT SEAR

VEGGIE STEAM-SAUTÉ

THE MACRO PREP

HIGH HEAT SEAR

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

PRIMARY CATEGORY

RELATED INGREDIENTS

FULL EXECUTION PLANS