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    Home » Recipes » Chicken & Poultry

    Published: Jul 18, 2022 · Modified: Dec 4, 2022 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    chicken tika masala with rice, garniched with cilantro in clay serving bowl on wood cutting board

    If you're a fan of Indian food, you'll love this Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala. It's easy to make and so delicious! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a mouth-watering meal that the whole family will love.

    Using the Instant Pot this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is quick and simple to make, and it's sure to please the whole family.

    chicken tika masala with rice, garniched with cilantro in clay serving bowl.

    Why you will love this recipe

    This Chicken Tikka recipe can be ready in 30 to 35 minutes using the Instant Pot, or you can simmer it in a dutch oven or slow cooker if you don't have an Instant Pot.

    All three methods give you a fabulous Chicken Tikka Masala that is delicious and easy to prepare.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • Ingredients to make Chicken Tikka Masala
    • How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala
    • Serving suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • Top Tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients to make Chicken Tikka Masala

    • Chicken
    • Yogurt - Greek or regular, just make sure it is unsweetened, plain.
    • Cumin
    • Coriander
    • Garam Masala
    • Cayenne
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • Onion
    • Fresh ginger
    • Fresh garlic
    • Fresh Serrano pepper
    • Olive oil
    • Tomato paste
    • Can of crushed tomatoes
    • Honey
    • Heavy cream
    • Steamed basmati rice to serve Chicken Tika Masala with

    If you cook for someone that is lactose intolerant, we have an easy How to Make Lactose Free Yogurt recipe tutorial. It's better than any substitute on the market! This milk, thick yogurt can be used in place of the heavy cream in this recipe.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala

    If possible, marinate the chicken before cooking the Tikka Masala. You can do this step the night before, earlier in the day, or even in the morning before going to work.

    Allow about 3 hours on low with a slow cooker or about 90 minutes on the stove top with a dutch oven.

    Prepare the marinade

    1. Add the plain, unflavored yogurt to a bowl. It does not matter if the yogurt is homemade, thick Greek style, or regular yogurt. Just make sure it is unflavored, plain.
    spices added to yogurt in a white glass bowl.
    1. Measure all the spices into the yogurt and mix well.
    chicken marinating in yogurt and spice blend.
    1. Add the cubed raw chicken to the yogurt and spice mixture. Mix and let marinate.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Cook in the Instant Pot

    onion, garlic, jalapeno, and ginger sauteeing with olive oil in a pot.
    1. Saute the minced and diced vegetables.
    yogurt marinated chicken added to tomato tika masala base in an instant pot.
    1. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and the chicken tikka marinade to the pot. Set program for cook time.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Mix the cream in after cooking

    small bowl of cream being blended with some tika masala with instant pot in background.
    1. Remove a small portion of the hot tikka masala sauce from the pot and blend it into the cream to create a liaison.
    Tika masala in pot with cream liaison being added.
    1. Blend the cream & tikka masala sauce to the main pot, stir well, and serve Chicken Tikka Masala immediately.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post

    Serving suggestions

    Chicken Tikka Masala is served with steamed basmati rice and Cucumber Mint Raita with Sourdough Naan Bread. The Raita cools down the spicy heat and the naan bread is great for sopping up the soup juices. You can use our Instant Pot method of making foolproof, perfectly steamed rice to make your basmati rice also!

    chicken tika masala with rice, garniched with cilantro in clay serving bowl.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post

    Substitutions

    You can substitute a Jalapeno or even some canned hatch green chilies in place of the Serrano chili pepper. You can use sugar instead of honey, and chicken thighs instead of breast meat.

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    An Instant Pot, or programmed pressure cooker, allows you to make dishes in minutes that usually take hours.

    Top Tips

    • Start the Chicken Tikka marinade earlier in the day, the flavors will be more intense in the final dish.
    • To prevent the cream from curdling in the Tikka Masala sauce, temper the cream by adding 2 - 3 tablespoons of the hot Tikka Masala sauce to warm up the cream before combing with the main pot.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I freeze this Chicken Tikka?

    Yes, this dish freezes up wonderfully, either in a large portion to reheat, or frozen in smaller individual portions.

    How far ahead prepare the Chicken Tikka Marinade?

    You can prepare the raw chicken to marinate in the tikka masala marinade up to 12 hours prior to cooking it.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • a bowl of beef and barley soup with a bagel side.
      Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
    • port ribs with barbeque sauce.
      Instant Pot St Louis Ribs
    • Instant Pot copycat Campbells Bean and Bacon soup with toast nearby.
      Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup
    • Cheesecake with sliced strawberries garnish with some blueberries and powdered sugar.
      Instant Pot Keto Strawberry Cheesecake

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    📖 Recipe

    chicken tika masala with rice, garniched with cilantro in clay serving bowl on wood cutting board
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Chicken Tikka Masala

    If you're a fan of Indian food, you'll love this Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala. It's easy to make and so delicious! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a mouth-watering meal that the whole family will love. Using the Instant Pot this Chicken Tikka Masala is quick and simple to make, and it's sure to please the whole family. Plus, it's perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a hearty, flavorful dinner quickly.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    natural release10 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Dishes
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 389kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • 1 Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker,

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cubed
    • 1 cup yogurt (unflavored Greek or Regular)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon coriander
    • 1 tablespoon garam masala
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
    • ½ serrano pepper, minced
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 can 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
    • 2 teaspoons honey
    • ¾ cup heavy cream
    • salt to taste
    • ground black pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine the yogurt, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and cayenne pepper into a medium bowl. Stir well and season with salt & pepper to taste.
      1 cup yogurt, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 tablespoon garam masala, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, salt to taste, ground black pepper to taste
    • Add the cubed raw chicken to the yogurt & spice mixture. Stir until chicken fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to marinate for up to 12 hours.
      2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cubed
    • Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot (or large dutch oven if not using an Instant Pot). Saute the diced onion, fresh grated ginger, minced garlic, and minced Serrano chili pepper.
      1 medium onion, diced, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated, 2 tablespoon olive oil, ½ serrano pepper, minced
    • Cook 2 - 3 minutes until the vegetables are soft and tender, add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and honey. Stir well. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
      1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 can 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, 2 teaspoons honey
    • Add the yogurt & chicken mixture to the Instant Pot and stir well to combine all ingredients. Set program for 10 minutes on high. When the Instant Pot beeps at the end of the cook program, let naturally depressurize for 10 minutes. Turn the vent valve to release after that time period.
      (Alternatively, simmer for about 45 minutes on the stove top in a dutch oven.)
    • Remove the Instant Pot lid and spoon out about 4 tablespoons of the Chicken Tikka Masala sauce. Add it to a small bowl with the heavy cream. Blend well, then return the tempered cream and Tikka Masala mixture to the Instant Pot and blend in with the rest of the Tikka Masala.
      ¾ cup heavy cream
    • Taste and adjust the salt & pepper, as needed. Serve immediately with hot Basmati Rice, buttered Naan bread, and Cucumber Mint Raita.

    Notes

    • Start the Chicken Tikka marinade earlier in the day, the flavors will be more intense in the final dish.
    • To prevent the cream from curdling in the Tikka Masala sauce, temper the cream by adding 2 - 3 tablespoons of the hot tikka masala sauce to warm up the cream before combing with the main pot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 316mg | Potassium: 929mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 756IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg
    Keyword : chicken tika masala, chicken tikka, chicken tikka masala, instant pot chicken tikka masala

    Did you make this recipe? We could love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below.

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    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

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