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Home » Recipes » Chicken & Poultry

Published: Jul 18, 2022 · Modified: Apr 30, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is a delicious and easy-to-make Indian dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Using an Instant Pot makes Tikka Masala quick and easy.

chicken tikka masala with rice, garnished with cilantro in clay serving bowl.

Why you will love this recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is a great way to enjoy Indian cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen.

You can have this chicken Tikka recipe 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.

Jump to:
  • Why you will love this recipe
  • Ingredients to make Chicken Tikka Masala
  • How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Serving suggestions
  • Related Recipes
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • 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

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.

  • 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 Tikka Masala with

bowls of chicken, spices, and yogurt for making tikka masala.

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

How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala

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. Rinse the chicken off and pat dry. Cut the chicken into 1" pieces.

  2. 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.

PRO TIP: 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.

cubed chicken in a bowl with another bowl with some flour in it.

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.

Cook in the Instant Pot

Once you've marinated the chicken, the rest of this Chicken Tikka Masala is cooked in your Instant Pot. If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can cook on your stove top in a Dutch oven pot.

onion, garlic, jalapeno, and ginger sauteing with olive oil in an instant pot.
  1. Saute the minced and diced vegetables.
yogurt marinated chicken added to tomato base in an instant pot.
  1. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and the chicken Tikka marinade to the pot.
  1. Set the Instant Pot program for 10 minutes on high.

  2. 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.
setting the valve on an Instant Pot.

Mix the cream in after cooking

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.

small bowl of cream being blended with some tomato 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.
sauce in an pot with cream liaison being added.
  1. Blend the cream & Tikka Masala sauce to the main pot, stir well.

Transfer To Serving Dish

  1. Transfer the hot Chicken Tikka Masala from the Instant Pot into a serving bowl. Garnish with minced parsley, green onions, and serve with hot steamed rice immediately.
chicken tikka masala with rice, garnished with cilantro in clay serving bowl.

Serving suggestions

Chicken Tikka Masala is served with steamed basmati rice and Biryani 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, Steamed White Rice to make your basmati rice also!

chicken tikka masala with rice, garnished with cilantro in clay serving bowl.

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

Related Recipes

  • Lactose Free Yogurt
  • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Biryani Raita
  • Chicken Dum Biryani
  • Instant Pot Chili No Beans
  • Easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Substitutions and Variations

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

  • Instant pot tortellini soup in a bowl with toasted bread nearby.
    Instant Pot Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup
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    Instant Pot Applesauce
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📖 Recipe

chicken tikka masala with rice, garnished with cilantro in clay serving bowl.
Print Recipe SaveSaved!
5 from 2 votes

Chicken Tikka Masala

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is a delicious and easy-to-make Indian dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Using an Instant Pot makes Tikka Masala quick and easy.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
natural release10 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes 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

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