Instapot Butter Chicken

I love Indian food.  The flavors are always so intricate and intense.  And that is exactly why when I have tried to make Indian food it never compares.  Likely this is because I do not spending all day frying spices, and probably don't even have the right spices.  But, enter the Instant Pot, and a share from a friend of mine of this recipe from Urvashi Pitre and the Instant Pot Community Facebook group. (There are a few redeeming qualities of Facebook after all).  It's easy folks, takes only about a hour total, and my kids love it!  

Ingredients
1 14-oz can of diced tomatoes, with the liquid
5 or 6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground paprika
2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound boneless and skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
4 ounces butter, but into cubes or 1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup heavy cream or full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 carrots, sliced (optional)
1 cup broccoli, cut into bite size pieces  (optional)

Instructions

Place the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, one teaspoon of the garam masala, cumin and salt in your Instant Pot.  Mix thoroughly then place the chicken and veggies on top.  (The original recipe doesn't include veggies, but we add them to make a more complete meal!)

Lock the lid into place and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.

When cooking is complete let the pressure release naturally.  Unlock the lid and remove the chicken and vegetables, set them aside.

Using an immersion blender in your pot, blend together the sauce until smooth.  Then add the butter, cream and remaining teaspoon of garam masala as well as cilantro.  Stir well.  The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.  If not you could simmer it to thicken.  

Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and return it with the veggies to the pot.  Stir.  If you need to re-heat up the chicken or thicken the sauce, you can also sauté for several minutes at this point.  

​Serve over rice and enjoy!
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