Fast and easy Instant Pot Tikka Masala! This is a delicious recipe that is best served over rice and delicious naan.
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Even though we had a rocky start, I’m really starting to love our Instant Pot!
We’ve used it a ton lately (such as for this instant pot beef stroganoff), and it’s safe to say it has become a permanent fixture in our home.
We had been wanting to make my Tikka Masala recipe (one of our favorites), and I thought that it would be fun to try it out in the Instant Pot.
I always feel like Tikka Masala is rather time-intensive – though the effort is entirely worth it. However, making it in the Instant Pot makes it so much easier…and it tastes just as amazing!
I served this over rice (that I made with my rice cooker…not the Instant Pot 😉 and with naan, of course.
Important Notes
I think it turned out quite well. In the video above, I only used 1 tablespoon of garam masala, but I do recommend two. It also doesn’t show that I turned the Instant Pot to saute for a few minutes, but I did in the end because I wanted the sauce to thicken up a little bit.
I also accidentally put in a whole can of coconut milk when I was doing the recipe (silly me). When I’ve made our recipe before, I’ve only used the can from the coconut milk, which helps it not be so liquidy. So make sure you do that. You can get the cream by placing the can in the refrigerator for an hour and then open it upside down to remove the liquid part.
Oh, and always use a meat thermometer! It helps so much!
Anyways, it turned out delicious, and I can’t wait to try it out again!
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Author: Katie Clark
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken breast, diced into bite size pieces
- 1 small container vanilla yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- SAUCE:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium-sized red bell pepper, diced
- Five stalks of green onions, diced
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of chili powder
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- ¾ cup coconut milk cream, leave can in fridge for a few hours - open upside down and remove liquid-y part to get the cream.
Instructions
- Combine yogurt, lemon, cumin and garlic with chicken breast until covered.
- Marinate for 30 minutes.
- After thirty minutes, turn instant pot to "saute" and add olive oil, bell pepper, and green onion. Saute until soft.
- Add chicken and sear for a few minutes.
- Press cancel on the Instant Pot and then press poultry.
- Add tomato paste, garam masala, ginger, paprika, chili powder, and diced tomatoes.
- Cook on the poultry setting for 12 minutes.
- Natural pressure release for 5 minutes and then quick pressure release for the remaining time.
- Once it is done, ensure that the chicken is cooked to 165 degrees.
- Stir in coconut oil.
- Change to saute, whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Let cook for a few more minutes to help it thicken up a little bit.
- Serve over rice with naan.
Allen says
Katie, we are trying this recipe tonight. Thank you for this 🙂 One question – the instant pot site says fresh chicken breast should only take about 6 minutes. Cubed, I would think even less time (but maybe they are basing this on a full NR). At 12 minutes, does the chicken ever come out tough or over done?
Katie says
Hi! I think it would depend on the weight of the meat and the thickness of the chunks. I honestly have never been able to cook chicken breast for less than 12 minutes though – fresh or frozen. With that said, looking back on this recipe, I do remember it being a touch dry, so maybe put it down to 10 minutes? I don’t know about 6 minutes though 🙂 Keep me updated though – I’m always looking for improvements!
Jenny says
Hi, I just got an Instant Pot for Christmas and my first experience was a disaster. I followed the directions in a recipe book but I did not know you needed the extra liquid on top of what was in the actual recipe and I burnt about 1/2 inch of noodles to the bottom of the pot it took awhile to clean it all out. If I am going to make the recipe above (chicken tikka masala) is there enough liquid in the food naturally or would I need to add more before setting it to the poultry setting?
Thank you
Katie says
That is so frustrating! There should be enough liquid in this recipe 🙂
Kim says
That’s suppose to be 8 quart duo. And unpack itself. Not ungodly as printed sorry auto correct
Kim says
Mine was delivered today. I got the 8 at duo. So far all I’ve done is stare at the box it was delivered in. I think I’m afraid of it lol. I read an article 20 reasons you should get an IP today! So I did. I’m waiting for it to ungodly itself and start cooking for us lol. That’s how good this article made it sound. Kohls has it for $109. I’ll keep you posted on what happens when I finally open the box. Love your insights. Very helpful
Katie says
Haha! Your comment made me laugh 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think once you get started. Please keep my updated!
Laurie Messer says
My instant pot has become a permanent fixture in our home too! I have loved trying new recipes and getting used to how it works. I cannot wait to try your recipe! This looks so delicious!
Katie says
I hope you enjoy it! Ours has it’s own little table haha!