Light & Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Experience the rich, aromatic flavors of traditional butter chicken in a lighter, healthier version that's quick and easy to prepare in your Instant Pot. This Light & Easy Butter Chicken is made with tender pieces of chicken and tofu, nestled in a fragrant, spiced tomato sauce, enhanced by the creaminess of Greek yogurt and a hint of coconut. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish can be on your table in just 30 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without the guilt or the lengthy prep time. Serve it with homemade naan or rice to soak up every bit of that delectable sauce.
4
Servings
225
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
oil
1 tablespoon ((coconut or olive))
onion
1 small ((yellow or purple, chopped))
garlic cloves
4 ((minced))
ginger
1 tablespoon ((minced))
curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
garam masala
2 teaspoons
chili powder
1 teaspoon
cumin
1 teaspoon ((or vindaloo powder, optional))
kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon
water
1/4 cup ((or chicken stock))
tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can
cauliflower
4 1/2 cups ((1 small or 1/2 large floret, chopped, optional))
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 ((cubed))
medium firm tofu
1 brick ((cubed))
butter
2 tablespoons
half-and-half
1/2 cup ((or coconut milk))
plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup ((optional))
chopped cilantro
1/2 cup ((for serving))
Instructions
1
Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil. Allow it to heat up before adding the chopped onion. Sauté the onion until it becomes soft and translucent.
2
Stir in the minced garlic and ginger along with the curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for about 30 seconds until the spices become fragrant.
3
Turn off the sauté function and pour in the water or chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and loosen any browned bits.
4
Add the tomato sauce and stir well to combine. If using, introduce the chopped cauliflower to the mixture.
5
Next, add the cubed chicken, tofu, and butter to the pot, ensuring everything is well-distributed.
6
Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, allow for a slow release of pressure for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
7
Remove the chicken pieces, cut them into bite-sized chunks, and return them to the pot.
8
Stir in the half-and-half or coconut milk, letting the heat from the pot warm it through.
9
Once cooled slightly, fold in the Greek yogurt (if using) to add creaminess and tang to the dish.
10
Serve warm, garnished with chopped cilantro alongside homemade naan or rice.
Nutrition Information
11.25g
Fat
15g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Light & Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken?
It is a healthier, faster version of traditional butter chicken made with lean chicken, tofu, and a spiced tomato sauce enriched with Greek yogurt or coconut milk.
How many calories are in this recipe?
There are approximately 225 calories per serving in this butter chicken recipe.
How long does it take to make this butter chicken?
This dish can be prepared and on your table in about 30 minutes using an Instant Pot.
Is this recipe high in protein?
Yes, it provides 15g of protein per serving, thanks to the combination of chicken and tofu.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can make it dairy-free by using coconut oil instead of butter, coconut milk instead of half-and-half, and omitting the Greek yogurt.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed before cooking.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What spices are needed for the sauce?
You will need curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, and salt.
Can I include vegetables in the butter chicken?
Yes, you can add 4 1/2 cups of chopped cauliflower to the mixture for extra nutrition and bulk.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 11.25g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count for this dish?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to sauté the onions first?
Yes, set the Instant Pot to sauté and cook the chopped onion until soft and translucent before adding other ingredients.
What liquid should I use to deglaze the pot?
You can use 1/4 cup of either water or chicken stock to scrape the bottom of the pot after sautéing.
How long should I pressure cook the chicken?
Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
Should I perform a natural or manual pressure release?
Allow for a 10-minute slow (natural) release of pressure before manually releasing any remaining steam.
What is the purpose of the Greek yogurt?
The Greek yogurt is folded in at the end to add extra creaminess and a pleasant tang to the sauce.
Can I use tofu instead of chicken?
The recipe actually uses both chicken and one brick of medium firm tofu together for a unique texture.
What should I serve with this butter chicken?
It is best served warm with homemade naan or rice to soak up the sauce.
How much garlic and ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger.
What type of tomato sauce should I use?
Use one 28-ounce can of standard tomato sauce.
Can I use coconut milk instead of half-and-half?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1/2 cup of half-and-half or 1/2 cup of coconut milk.
Is the cilantro cooked into the dish?
No, 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro is used as a fresh garnish for serving.
What oil is recommended for sautéing?
You can use 1 tablespoon of either coconut oil or olive oil.
How should I prepare the tofu?
The medium firm tofu should be cubed before being added to the Instant Pot.
Do I need to cut the chicken before serving?
Yes, after pressure cooking, remove the chicken pieces, cut them into bite-sized chunks, and then return them to the pot.
What is the purpose of deglazing the pot?
Deglazing loosens any browned bits from the bottom, which adds flavor and prevents the burn notice.
Can I use vindaloo powder?
Yes, the recipe mentions you can substitute cumin with vindaloo powder if desired.
Is this a low-fat recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, low-fat alternative to traditional, heavier versions of butter chicken.
How much butter is in the 'Light' version?
This recipe uses only 2 tablespoons of butter for the entire 4-serving batch.
What kind of onions work best?
You can use one small yellow or purple onion, chopped.