Best Instant pot Chicken Tikka Masala – Better than the take out

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Chicken Tikka Masala – the most popular dish can be made right in your home. It is marinated boneless chicken cubes cooked in creamy onion tomato sauce. This is full of aromatic flavors that make you lick your fingers and go for more. This is so easy to make and Instant pot makes it easier and packed with flavors.

Chicken Tikka Masala – Instant pot

Chicken Tikka masala is one of the most sort dishes in restaurants after Butter Chicken. Do you order often? Then this is the recipe you need. Chicken Tikka masala is basically boneless chicken cubes marinated with yogurt and spices. Then it is roasted in a tandoor or grilled to get the smokey flavor. It is then cooked in onion tomato gravy with aromatic spices again.

Making it in Instant Pot makes your life easier. This curry goes well with a bowl of Basmati rice or Naan. You can also serve with Sweet Potato Roti. This is spicy but you can always adjust the spice level as per your preference. 

Chicken Tikka Masala Vs Butter Chicken

Though both Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala look similar in preparation and appearance, there are some differences that make both dishes unique. Butter chicken is creamy and is less tomato intense whereas Chicken tikka masala is less creamy than butter chicken and you can see more tomato in the gravy.

• Butter Chicken – More creamy and less tomato

• Chicken Tikka masala – Less creamy and more tomatoes

Ingredients used in Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken – Boneless Chicken cubes are used to make this curry.

Yogurt – We need yogurt to marinate the chicken and add in the gravy.

Ginger Garlic Paste – We add ginger garlic paste to marinate and to make the gravy. I prefer my homemade Ginger garlic paste.

Tomato – I prefer nice ripe country tomatoes to the Roma variety for this gravy. If you can’t find country tomatoes then you are ok to use Roma tomatoes. Just use more than mentioned in this recipe.

Turmeric powder – This has many health values and is constantly used in Indian cuisine.

Red chili powder – You can use Kashmiri red chili powder to give a bright red color to the gravy.

Coriander Powder – Coriander powder is usually added to give more volume to the gravy.

Garam Masala – This spice is added to give aroma and flavor to the gravy.

How to make Chicken Tikka Masala in Instant Pot

The first and most important step to make Chicken Tikka masala is to marinate chicken cubes. Take boneless chicken cubes in a bowl and add yogurt, ginger garlic paste, salt, and spices. Mix it and let it rest for at least 1 hour to a maximum of 1 day. Then you can grill it in a grill pan. This step is optional as we are making this gravy in Instant Pot.

Make a puree with tomato. Switch on the Instant Pot. Add a tbsp of butter. When it melts, add chopped onions and saute it till golden. Then add ginger garlic paste. When the raw smell goes off, add the tomato puree and spices. Let it boil thoroughly to get off the raw smell. Add grilled chicken ( or marinated chicken). Add the required salt and close the lid. Close the lid and adjust the cook time to 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. When the pressure is released, open the lid and press the saute button. Add yogurt and mix it. Let it just start to boil and switch it off. Serve warm with basmati rice, naan, or chapati.

A short video to make Chicken Tikka Masala

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Can I make this on the Stovetop

Absolutely. You can follow the same steps in a heavy-bottomed deep pan. 

If you like this, you may also like 

Instant pot Chettinad Chicken Curry

2 in 1 Chicken Curry

Spicy Andhra chicken

Kashmiri Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry with Coconut

Love more curry? Then check

Best Indian Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala recipe

Ingredients

Chicken Boneless Cubes – 0.5 lb

To marinate 

Yogurt – 2 Tbsp

Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp

Red chili powder – 1 Tsp

Coriander powder – 1 Tsp

Garam Masala – ½ Tsp

Ginger Garlic paste – 1 Tsp

Salt – As required

For gravy

Onion – 1 Cup chopped

Tomato – 2 large (blend it to make puree)

Ginger Garlic Paste – ½ Tsp

Turmeric powder – ½ Tsp

Red Chili powder – 1 Tsp

Coriander powder – 1 ½  Tbsp

Garam Masala – ½ Tsp

Yogurt – 1 Tbsp

Salt – As required

Butter – 1 Tbsp

Water – 1 Cup

Method

• Clean the chicken cubes and marinate with the ingredients under ‘ to marinate’. Let it rest for at least 1 hour to a maximum overnight.
• Grill the chicken cubes in your grill pan till half cooked as we are going to cook chicken again. (This step is optional if you are making this gravy in Instant Pot)
• Switch on the Instant Pot. Press the saute button.
• Add butter and when it melts, add chopped onion.
• When it turns golden, add ginger garlic paste.
• Let the raw smell go, add the tomato puree and spice powders.
• Cook till the raw smell of spices goes and the tomato puree thickens.
• Add chicken cubes, 1 cup water, and required salt. Close the lid and set the cook time to 10 minutes.
• Once it is cooked, let the pressure release naturally.
• Open the lid and press the saute button.
• Check salt and add a tbsp of yogurt.
• Mix and let it start to boil. 
• Switch off. Serve with Basmati rice, Naan, or chapati.

Notes

1. Adjust spice powders as per your preference.
2. Grilling the chicken cubes is optional as we are making the gravy in Instant Pot.

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