Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Indian Chicken Curry made with Roasted Chicken thighs simmered in a delicious curry sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword Chicken Tikka Masala

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings

Calories 308kcal

Author Chhavi

Equipment

Instant Pot
Cast iron pan or a non stick pan.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon Oil Mustard or Sesame Oil or any other everyday oil.

Marinade

1 Pound Chicken Thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
½ Cup Greek Yogurt or Thick Yogurt
½ teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Ground Mild Chilli or Paprika
½ Turmeric
1 Lime
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
1 tablespoon Ginger and Garlic
½ tablespoon Chickpea Flour* or All Purpose Flour

Gravy

1 tablespoon Butter
1 teaspoon Oil
½ Cup Onion white or yellow
½ Cup Diced Tomatoes canned or fresh
1 tablespoon Coriander Powder
1 teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Paprika.
1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic
1 Cup Tomato Passata** or puree or 1.5 Cups paste of fresh Tomatoes(not tomato Paste)
¼ Cup Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon Dried Fenugreek/Kasoori Methi)

Instructions

Marination

Mix the turmeric, salt, chilli, ginger and garlic paste, lime juice, chickpea flour, garam masala and yogurt together.
Add the chicken thighs, mix to coat evenly and marinade in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to 24 hours.You can also freeze the marinated chicken at this step.

Instant Pot Method

Select the SAUTE mode.Once its hot and smoky, add oil.Let the oil become hot for 10 seconds.
Add the marinated chicken thighs, one piece at a time.Wring the excess marinade while adding it.
Do not move or disturb for 4-5 minutes.Flip and cook the other for side 1 minute.
Repeat the process till all the chicken is charred.This step can be done in a skillet on stove top too.
Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon oil.
Add Onions and saute.Add ginger Garlic.Cook till translucent for 1-2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and tomato puree.Deglaze the instant pot with a silicon or wooden spatula.See the video for more information ,also read the notes*.
Add Ground chilli and Coriander powder.
Add ½ cup of water along with the charred chicken.
Close the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 3 minutes.
Open switch to saute.Add heavy Cream and fenugreek leaves and bring the gravy to boil.
Serve hot with naans and rice.

Stove top Method

Heat a flat pan or a pot with flat bottom or skillet.Add 2 tablespoon of oil.Let the skillet become hot and smoky.
Place the marinated chicken one by one on the skillet.Wring the chicken to free the excess marinade.
Add the half the marinated chicken thighs.Do not disturb for 3-5 minutes.Flip and char the other side too.Repeat for the rest of the chicken.Set the chicken aside.
To the same pan, Add butter and onions.Saute lightly till the onion is translucent.
Add tomatoes and saute till they soften.
To this, add tomato puree and all the spices- Coriander powder and ground chilli powder and salt.
Add the charred Chicken and mix it up.Also add ½ cup of water.Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Add Cream and dried Fenugreek leaves.Give is a mix and bring it to boil.
Serve hot with naans or Rice.

Video

Notes

Ingredients Swaps & Details

Chicken Thigh- Skinless Chicken Thighs.If you want to use chicken breast, use the whole breast, follow the same process and cut up the chicken after the pressure cooking step.

Yogurt- Greek yogurt or strained dahi

Spices- Turmeric and Chilli powder or Paprika are non negotiables here.

Chickpea Flour- Swap with All purpose flour or almond flour or arrowroot flour.

Heavy Cream- use cashew cream instead.Coconut cream or milk will change the flavour profile completely and are not recommended.

Tomato Passata- Use either tomato pasata or puree or just blitz 1.5 cups of tomatoes(fresh or canned) in a processor to make a puree .Do not use tomato paste. That's concentrated tomato and it will not work at all.

Charring the Chicken & Deglazing

The Chicken is charred best on stovetop.With instant pot,you need to deglaze the pan very well and make sure no burnt bits are stuck to the pot.Use a silicon spatula or a wooden spoon to do that.

You can also watch the video to see how its done.

Nutrition