Easy Healthy Instant Pot Gluten-Free Indian Butter Chicken
This simple, deeply flavorful, and nutritious Gluten-Free Butter Chicken Thigh Recipe made in an Instant Pot is layered with healthy spices and is delicious with basmati rice or naan bread. I hope you enjoy making this delicious Butter Chicken. The Butter Chicken Sauce is heaven! It’s a simple recipe your family will LOVE!
When I think of Indian Cuisine, I think of dishes like this easy butter chicken recipe. Recipes that fill your home with warm, aromatic spices taste delicious with rice or naan. I think it’s one of the best chicken recipes in my repertoire, and we have it on regular rotation! In addition, recipes like this are a great way to do Meal Prep.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.
Ingredients for Butter Chicken
- Chicken thighs – You can also use Chicken Breasts
- Butter
- Fresh Garlic
- Fresh Ginger
- Green Chili (optional)
- Red chili (you can adjust the amount depending on your spice preference)
- Cumin
- Turmeric powder
- Garam masala
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Tomato paste
- Tomato sauce or puree
- Chicken broth (low sodium)
- Heavy cream or Full-fat Coconut Milk
- Cooked rice (for serving) – or Cauliflower Rice
- Naan bread (for serving)
- Use a 6-quart Instant Pot
How To Make Gluten-Free Butter Chicken – Step by Step
- Pat dry the chicken thigh pieces with a kitchen towel and set them aside.
- Select the “SAUTE” setting on the Instant Pot and add the butter. Add the chopped onion once the butter has melted and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili, and cook for a minute until the raw flavor dissipates.
- Incorporate the spices: chili powder, garam masala, cumin, salt, black pepper and turmeric powder. Cook for a minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and puree, followed by the chicken pieces. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, give it a quick mix, cover the Instant Pot with a lid, and set the valve to the “SEALING” position.
- Pressure cook the chicken on “HIGH” for 8 minutes. Once the cycle is complete, wait for 10 minutes, and then release the remaining pressure through the valve.
- Switch the setting to “SAUTE” and allow the chicken to simmer. Add the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Garnish the Instant Pot butter chicken with fresh Cilantro. Serve the butter chicken over rice and naan, and provide lime wedges on the side.
Tips & Tricks
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts or chicken tenders.
- Use either Heavy cream or Full-Fat Coconut Milk.
Storage and Reheating
- Store Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat over a low flame, stirring often.
FAQ’s about Gluten-Free Butter Chicken
What does gluten-free butter chicken taste like?
The texture of the creamy tomato-based sauce is smooth and buttery, complemented by aromatic, tender chicken pieces cooked to perfection. While butter chicken is not typically as spicy as some other Indian dishes, it does offer a delightful Indian flavor from the blend of spices derived from ingredients like garam masala, chili powder, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and green chilies without being overpowering.
Adding additional vegetables like bell peppers can also be a great way to customize the recipe to your liking.
Ultimately, the choice of side dishes can vary according to personal preferences, but some popular options to serve with butter chicken include naan, rice, roti, and flatbread.
Butter Chicken is thought to have originated in Northern India. The Butter part is the cream, butter, and tomato sauce that creates the velvety sauce.
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PrintEasy Healthy Instant Pot Gluten-Free Indian Butter Chicken
This simple and deeply flavorful and nutritious chicken thigh recipe is layered with healthy spices and is delicious with basmati rice or naan bread. I hope you will enjoy making this easy delectable Instapot Indian Butter Chicken. The Butter Chicken Sauce is heaven! It’s a simple recipe your family will LOVE!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite- sized pieces
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 teaspoon green chili, chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup tomato puree
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream or full fat coconut milk
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, to garnish
Lime wedges, to serve
Cooked rice, to serve
Naan bread, to serve
Instructions
1. Pat dry the chicken thigh pieces with a kitchen towel and set them aside.
2. Select the “SAUTE” setting on the Instant Pot and add the butter. Add the chopped onion once the butter has melted and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili, and cook for a minute until the raw flavor dissipates.
4. Incorporate the spices: chili powder, garam masala, cumin, salt, black pepper and turmeric powder. Cook for a minute.
5. Stir in the tomato paste and puree, followed by the chicken pieces. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
6. Pour in the chicken broth, give it a quick mix, cover the Instant Pot with a lid, and set the valve to the “SEALING” position.
7. Pressure cook the chicken on “HIGH” for 8 minutes. Once the cycle is complete, wait for 10 minutes, and then release the remaining pressure through the valve.
8. Switch the setting to “SAUTE” and allow the chicken to simmer. Add the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
9. Garnish the Instant Pot butter chicken with fresh Cilantro. Serve the butter chicken over rice and naan, and provide lime wedges on the side.
Notes
1. In this recipe, You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts or chicken tenders.
Store Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Keywords: Gluten-free Butter Chicken, Butter Chicken
Our family loved this recipe! Super delicious!
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