If you are looking for a meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavors in a fraction of the time, this Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe is your new best friend. Traditional Indian butter chicken often requires hours of marinating and slow simmering, but thanks to the magic of pressure cooking, this Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe is ready in just 20 minutes. It is velvety, rich, and perfectly spiced, providing a low-carb comfort meal that keeps you in ketosis with only 5g of net carbs per serving.
Why This Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe is a Keto Game-Changer
The secret to a great Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe lies in the balance of fats and spices. While many takeout versions use sugar or honey to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, our version uses high-fat heavy cream and grass-fed butter to create that signature silkiness without the carb spike. This makes the Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe an ideal choice for anyone following a Ketogenic Diet (External Resource) who doesn’t want to sacrifice flavor for fitness.
One of the biggest advantages of using the pressure cooker for this Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe is how it infuses the spices deep into the chicken fibers in minutes rather than hours. For more time-saving ideas that don’t compromise your macros, check out our Keto Meal Prep Guide to keep your weeknight dinner game strong.
Expert Tips for a Professional Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe
- The SautĂ© Phase: Never skip the initial sautĂ© of the aromatics. Toasting your spices in butter for 60 seconds before adding the chicken unlocks fat-soluble flavors that a standard “dump and start” method misses.
- Avoid the Burn Notice: If you find your Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe often triggers the “Burn” warning, ensure you deglaze the bottom of the pot thoroughly with your chicken broth after sautĂ©ing. Those little brown bits are flavor, but they must be scraped up!
- Naturally Thick Sauce: To keep this low-carb butter chicken thick without cornstarch, stir in the cold butter and heavy cream after the pressure cooking is done. The residual heat will create a glossy, thick emulsion.
- Quality of Spices: Use fresh Garam Masala. If your spices have been sitting in the pantry for over a year, they lose the essential oils needed for an authentic Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is this Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Since we use heavy cream and butter instead of flour-based thickeners, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and grain-free.
2. Can I use frozen chicken?
You can, but you will need to add 2-3 minutes to the pressure cooking time. However, for the best texture in this Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe, thawed chicken is recommended.
3. What is the difference between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala?
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) is generally creamier and milder, with a heavy emphasis on butter and cream, whereas Tikka Masala has a more intense tomato-based sauce.
4. How do I store leftovers?
This Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe tastes even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
5. Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, full-fat canned coconut milk is a great dairy-free alternative for a Keto Butter Chicken, though it will add a slight coconut flavor.
6. Why is my sauce watery?
If the sauce is too thin, use the “SautĂ©” function for 2-3 minutes after pressure cooking (before adding the cream) to reduce the liquid.
7. What should I serve with this?
To keep it keto, serve over cauliflower rice or with a side of Keto Hemp Seed Loaf to soak up the sauce.
8. Is this recipe spicy?
This Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe is mild to medium. If you prefer it hot, add an extra half-teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
9. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs stay juicier and are actually preferred for an authentic Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.
10. Where can I find more dinner ideas?
Explore our full Keto Dinner Recipe Index for more 20-minute weeknight wonders.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Keto)
Equipment
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs boneless skinless, cubed
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce unsweetened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp grass-fed butter cold, cubed
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger freshly grated
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp cilantro fresh chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic, ginger, and spices in 1 tbsp butter for 1 minute in the Instant Pot.
- Deglaze the pot with chicken broth. Add chicken and tomato sauce.
- Pressure cook on High for 8 minutes. Perform a Quick Release.
- Stir in heavy cream and the remaining cold butter cubes until the sauce thickens.
- Adjust seasoning and simmer on Sauté mode if a thicker sauce is desired.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.