I am absolutely in love with Indian food! The herbs and spices of Indian cuisine have this sweet and savory blend that is just so comforting. I love making it in the Instant Pot. I only have one pot to clean up at the end of dinner, but it tastes like I was in the kitchen making a big mess all day!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
These ingredients are easy to keep in the pantry and have chicken on hand. The instant pot mends and creates an easy tikka masala recipe that everyone loves. Kids to adults love this dinner!
Chicken – Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are cut into small bite-sized pieces. The chicken does not need to be cooked before adding to the instant pot. Yogurt – This makes a creamy and thick sauce with yogurt. Use a plain flavor of yogurt. We used Greek yogurt for added thickness. Lemon – The lemon juice will help a tart flavor that blends well with the other ingredients. Garam masala – An authentic seasoning that has a blend of sweetness and warmth blended together. Cayenne pepper – Add a little bit of spice to the instant pot chicken tikka masala. Ginger – Grate and mince fresh ginger to stir in for more complexity in flavors.
Homemade Sauce Ingredients
This homemade sauce tastes authentic and full of flavor with just the right amount of flavors blended together! Fresh ingredients with a sweet and savory flavor in every bite.
Vegetable oil – The oil is for sauteing the onion and garlic. Sauté them until they are golden brown. Onion – Slice and chop the onion into small pieces. Garlic – Take your cloves of garlic and mince them. Garam masala – You use this seasoning for both the chicken and the sauce. It is filled with cinnamon, peppercorns, cardamom, mustard seeds, ground coriander seeds, cloves, mace, and nutmeg. Tomato sauce – Changes the color to an orange-red color. It is the base of the sauce and gives it the depth it needs. Tomatoes – Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a little kick (not much, don’t worry) but also give them a light and tasty flavor. Heavy cream – Gives this sauce a thick and creamy texture. Butter – Gives the sauce a richness with the butter.
Instructions for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
You will love how simple it is to make tikka masala in an instant pot! Quickly mix the ingredients, cook in the instant pot, then stir together. It is that simple!
Turn Up the Heat
As-is this recipe isn’t spicy at all. If you are looking to kick up the heat you can always add some extra cayenne or my favorite way to add some heat is by adding a good amount of Sriracha. Let others determine the amount of heat they want by serving it separately and allowing others to add it to their individual dishes rather than adding it directly to the sauce. My kids’ spice tolerance is literally zero, so we always serve the Sriracha on the side.
Tips for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
Follow these quick and easy tips to ensure that your instant pot tikka masala is the best every time! These are a few of our tips and ways we like to make this chicken dish come together perfectly.
Greek yogurt – It is best to use plain Greek yogurt in the sauce. This will add creaminess plus thicken the base of the tikka masala. Spice – Make sure you have fresh quality spices. This helps with the flavor of the instant pot tikka masala. Tomatoes – When it is time to add the tomatoes give them time to cook down to make the base of the sauce. Deglaze – In the instant pot, you are going to have brown bits at the bottom of the pot that will need to be released. This will add flavor to the chicken too. Garnish – Top with fresh cilantro chopped up on top for a pretty green abstract of colors and a rich flavor. Serve – Make this a complete meal by adding naan bread and coconut rice as side dishes.
Differences from Authentic Tikka Masala
If you are looking for perfectly authentic-in-every-way chicken tikka masala, this recipe might not be the one. However, if you are looking for perfectly-delicious-easy-to-make chicken tikka masala then you are in the right place! I wanted to share this recipe because it is easy, and uses methods and ingredients that are accessible to most people. That being said, there are a few ways you can up the authenticity if you are interested! Traditionally, the chicken would be cooked in a tandoori oven before simmering in the sauce. You can recreate this at home by searing the chicken on the grill before adding it to the Instant Pot. Try swapping out full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream to make it more authentic too or you can also serve it with Raita (pictured below).
Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Tikka Masala
This instant pot tikka masala is the perfect meal to store, freeze, and reheat leftovers! Prep your tikka masala ahead of time for meal prep lunches or dinners for the week. There are so many ways to store this instant pot tikka masala recipe!
Refrigerator – Place the chicken tikka masala in an airtight container for five to six days. This makes a great meal plan for the week! Freezer – Add the instant pot tikka masala in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to a month. For best results, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheating – Place the tikka masala in a microwave or on the stovetop. Reheat slowly since the sauce has a creamy base that can separate if heated too quickly.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Tikka Masala
A simple side of steamed rice and your choice of vegetables pair perfectly with this sweet and savory dish. But you could also make a side of basmati rice, or cauliflower rice. Read Next: 27 BEST Instant Pot Recipes
Indian Coconut Rice
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Easy Yellow Rice
Easy Vegetable Rice (with Garden Veggies)
Other Instant Pot Recipes To Try
The Instant Pot is one of our favorite kitchen tools. If you haven’t tried many instant pot recipes yet, this tikka masala is a perfect one to start with! If you are looking for more, try some of our other favorite Instant Pot recipes!
How to Make Instant Pot Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Instant Pot Gumbo
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