Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

This Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is one hundred percent made from scratch. Super flavorful with tender chicken and delicious curry – this recipe is always a family favorite! 

The Instant Pot prevails again with this incredible chicken tikka masala. Who knew that it could be this easy to make chicken tikka masala right in your home and in your beloved Instant Pot? I did, because once again I’m showing you another popular favorite and how easy it is to make.

I love this recipe because it is just so quick to make. It’s my go to after a long day when I don’t want to work too hard over the stove but still want something tasty.

What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?

This Indian restaurant favorite is so simple, just cut up chicken cooked in a spiced curry. The curry is super simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. The question you must be burning to ask me is whether or not you could truly have restaurant quality chicken tikka masala made at home? Of course you can.

Don’t let Indian food scare you from trying to make it yourself. It really is not difficult to make at all. You just need a few good spices that are commonly used in Indian cuisine, and your Instant Pot.

Ingredients

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Chicken Tikka

• Chicken – Boneless skinless breast. Thighs can work as well just be sure to cook for 8 minutes instead of 6.
• Yogurt – I used Greek but any kind of plain yogurt will work. Just be sure it’s plain.
• Lemon juice – We need some brightness and acidity in this dish, so be sure to use fresh.
• Garam masala – The key spice blend for this recipe, sold in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
• Aromatics – Fresh ginger and garlic are key to this dish. If using minced keep in mind that 1 1/2 teaspoons equals one fresh clove.
• Salt – Don’t forget the salt! We want this dish to have lots of flavor.

Curry sauce

• Oil – Use a light flavorless oil like Canola.
• Aromatics – Onion, garlic, and ginger.
• Spices – Garam masala, turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin, and chili powder.
• Diced tomatoes – I like the extra flavor that fire roasted canned tomatoes gives to this dish, but regular diced will also work.
• Tomato sauce – We’re looking to achieve a nice deep color, so tomato sauce is the key to this. Tomato paste will work fine as well.
• Cream – I used half and half but feel free to use whichever cream you like for a richer or lighter dish.
• Butter – Unsalted as we want to control our sodium content.
• Salt – Don’t forget to season each layer of this dish!

How to make chicken Tikka Masala in the Instant Pot

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• Prepare the chicken tikka: Combine all the chicken tikka ingredients together in a large bowl and mix thoroughly so that each piece of chicken is fully coated in the yogurt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 48 hours.
• Saute the saute-ables: Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add the vegetable oil, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Stir and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion softens.
• Combine the curry sauce: Add the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and stir. Add the chicken to the Instant Pot, including all the yogurt marinade and stir. Close the lid. Set the Instant Pot to the Poultry setting and set the timer to 5 minutes.
• Finish the chicken tikka masala: Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, wait until the natural release cycle is complete, should take about 10 minutes. Add the half and half, salt, and butter and give it a good stir. Serve hot over rice, warm naan, or roti.

No Instant Pot? No problem!

That is probably the most popular question I get on any Instant Pot recipe and the answer is simply YES, of course. The Instant Pot is simply our skillet or whatever pot you choose to use, and it just helps us in cooking the chicken faster and under high pressure. you can always replace the Instant Pot with whatever you have.

Stove top

You can make this right on the stove in a dutch oven or large skillet. Follow the instructions above and once the sauce is incorporated allow it to simmer for 20 minutes before incorporating the chicken and allow it to cook for a further 10 minutes.

Slow cooker

Throw the ingredients (save for the cream and lemon juice) in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours. In the final 30 minutes add the remaining ingredients.

Leftovers

You can store this chicken tikka masala recipe in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. It freezes well as well, for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw it completely before reheating on the stove.

Some tips

• A true chicken tikka masala has the yogurt marinated chicken cooked in a wood or charcoal fired tandoor until the meat is thoroughly charred. Since we’re doing this in the Instant Pot we’re skipping that part, however you can still do that. To achieve that char flavor, you could use your grill and really grill the meat until it’s charred if not almost black, which should happen fairly quickly because of the yogurt marinade.
• If garam masala isn’t available you can substitute it for one part cumin and 1/4 part allspice.

More Pressure Cooker Recipes To Try:

• Butter Chicken
• Chicken Shawarma
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Beef Stroganoff
• Swedish Meatballs
• Mongolian Beef
• Zuppa Toscana
• Cashew Chicken