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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Cooking Method / Instant Pot / Instant Pot Tikka Masala

Instant Pot Tikka Masala

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 1/25/22Updated: 2/08/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

bowl of instant pot chicken tikka masala

Instant Pot Tikka Masala is flavorful, tender and so easy to make in the pressure cooker. It is one of our favorite Indian dishes to make at home.

bowl of chicken tikka masala and rice

I love recreating my favorite restaurant dishes at home and this Instant Pot Tikka Masala is one of them. The only ingredient you may not have is a spice called garam masala. It is easily available at most grocery stores.

chicken tikka masala and rice in a bowl.

What is Garam Masala?

This is a key ingredient to authentic Indian food so don’t leave it out. It is a blend of black pepper, coriander, cumin, cloves, cardamon, nutmeg and cinnamon. It has some warmth and sweetness to it and just a touch of heat.

If you just can’t find it at your store you can substitute one part cumin and 1/4 part allspice.

closeup of bowl of chicken tikka masala

Chicken Tikka Masala Ingredients

Chicken. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. I prefer thighs.

Spices. This recipe has a lot of flavor thanks to ginger, garam masala, chili powder, cumin and turmeric. Add more or less chili powder depending on your preferred heat level.

Tomatoes. Use a combination of petitie diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Cream. I like to use coconut milk which also makes this dish dairy free. You can also use 1/2 and 1/2 or Greek Yogurt. This is added in at the end.

Garlic and Onion.

tikka masala spices in the instant pot.

How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala in the Instant Pot

  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces, about 1 inch and add salt and pepper.
  • Preheat Instant Pot using the saute setting.
  • Add olive oil, garlic, onions and seasoning. Stir for a few minutes until fragrant.
  • Add in chicken and stir to coat.
chicken inside of instant pit
  • Add in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
chicken tikka masala inside instant pot
  • Put on lid, turn valve to sealing and set timer to Manual, high pressure for 5 minutes. Do a quick release.
  • Remove lid. If you are using coconut milk, add in and turn to saute and allow sauce to thicken for about 5-10 minutes. If you are using Greek Yogurt or half and half, allow to thicken first and then add in dairy before serving otherwise it might curdle.
overheadshot of chicken tikka masala

Can I Make Chicken Tikka Masala in the Slow Cooker?

Tikka Masala is easy to make in the slow cooker. Just add in all the ingredients except for the dairy and cook for on low for 5-6 hours. Add in dairy at end.

bowl of rice and tikka masala

How Do I Serve Chicken Tikka Masala?

Our favorite way to serve it is with rice. I often make my rice in the Instant Pot too. Sprinkle the rice with some chopped cilantro. Add a side of Naan Bread which is the perfect thing for scooping up all that delicious gravy that forms.

naan bread scooping up chicken tikka masala

Check out more of my favorite instant pot recipes:

  • Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
  • Instant Pot Whole Chicken
  • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

This is the Instant Pot I use.

For all of my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store. 

Did you know I wrote a cookbook?  Check out the Holiday Slow Cooker Cookbook for 100 delicious recipes.

4.84 from 6 votes
bowl of chicken tikka masala and rice

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Instant Pot Tikka Masala is flavorful, tender and so easy to make in the pressure cooker. It is one of our favorite Indian dishes to make at home.
serves: 6 servings
Prep:10 minutes minutes
Cook:5 minutes minutes
come up to pressure:10 minutes minutes
Total:25 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 4 tsp garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1 Tbsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 14.5 oz. petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 1 cup coconut milk or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces and sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
  • Add oil to Instant Pot and preheat on saute. Add in onions, garlic and seasoning and stir to combine until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add in chicken and stir to coat with spice mixture. Brown chicken lightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Add in tomatoes and tomato sauce and remaining 1tsp salt if needed.
  • Put on lid. Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes and do a quick release.
  • Stir in coconut milk and turn Instant Pot to saute and allow sauce to thicken for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
  • If using Greek Yogurt, allow to simmer and thicken first and then add in yogurt right before serving.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Recommended Products

Instant Pot (6qt)

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 288kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 5g (2%) Protein: 34g (68%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 97mg (32%) Sodium: 766mg (33%) Potassium: 711mg (20%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 77IU (2%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 29mg (3%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Dish
Cuisine:Indian
bowl of chicken tikka masala and rice
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4.84 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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  1. Mr Mike says

    Posted on 1/4 at 8:22 am

    Made it as per exact recipe and turned out beautifully. I rate a recipes success by how many times my wife goes back for more. 2 is great, she had 3 trips.
    So darn easy too. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Joan says

    Posted on 2/23 at 9:50 pm

    Great dish. I used brown basami rice fir extra nuttiness.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 2/24 at 6:15 am

      So glad you enjoyed it! I love brown rice too

      Reply
  3. Joanna says

    Posted on 2/2 at 8:41 am

    How much chili powder is this calling for?

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 2/2 at 9:49 am

      1/2 tsp

      Reply

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