Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala {Whole30}
This Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is a quick and easy Whole30 compliant version of the classic Indian dish which comes together in less than 30 minutes! I’ve included slow cooker directions for you, too!
Indian food is probably my most favorite of all time. My mom and I love going to the Royal Taj in Columbia, MD because 1) it’s delicious and 2) I know I can get a safe gluten free meal there! Last time we went, I brought my Nima Sensor and everything came back with a smiley face. The nice thing about Indian food is that a lot of it is naturally gluten free (minus the naan, of course)!
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my go-to entrees to order, so I decided it deserved a spot on the blog. Not only does it deserve a spot, but a quick, easy, and Whole30 friendly spot 🙂
Traditional Tikka Masala includes heavy cream and/or yogurt and butter. I replaced these with coconut cream (just the hardened part at the top of a can of full fat coconut milk) and ghee, and the flavors are incredible. The best part about Indian Food is the spices that go into everything – usually a bit of spicy, some sweet and aromatic (cloves I’m looking at you), and lots of savory.
Do I need Garam Masala to make this?
Yes, you definitely need to have some Garam Masala to make this. It is a traditional Indian spice blend and it makes everything delicious. I got mine on Thrive Market because I love knowing Primal Palate spices are organic and gluten free, but you can find Garam Masala at most grocery stores!
Should I get an Instant Pot?
The answer to this question is, YES. This is the Instant Pot that I have and it was pretty much the best purchase I’ve ever made. Well, maybe not EVER, but pretty darn close. So many people tell me that they are intimidated/scared to use one. DON’T BE! Once you get through the first time using it, you will see how incredibly easy and life changing it is. Just in case you’re not ready to hop on the Instant Pot train, I have also included slow cooker directions for you below.
Looking for other easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Whole30 Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken or Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli and “Rice” Casserole!
Ok, let’s get cookin’!
*This page contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of my links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Mary’s Whole Life!
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala {Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1-2 inch cubes
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large onion , diced
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce or tomato puree
- 1 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1.5 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne , more if you like heat!
- 1 tsp turmeric
Slurry
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp water
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Slow Cooker
Instructions
- Hit the "saute" button and add ghee. Once hot, add in onion, garlic, and all of the spices. Stir 1-2 minutes until the onions begin to soften and the spices are very fragrant.
- Add in chicken pieces and continue to stir for 2-3 more minutes until slightly browned. Add in tomato sauce and chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Hit the "cancel/keep warm" button. Lock the lid and turn the vent to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes, then manually release the pressure.
- Stir in coconut cream (the hardened white part at the top of your coconut milk can), leaving the clear liquid in the can. Hit the "saute" button again and bring to a boil while stirring.
- Mix the arrowroot powder and water together to create the slurry. Add it into the pot and stir. It will thicken quickly. Add more salt to taste. Hit "cancel/keep warm" and let it sit until ready to serve. Serve over cauliflower rice for Whole30, or regular basmati rice for just gluten free! Enjoy!
73 Comments on “Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala {Whole30}”
This sounds fabulous. I love Indian food too!! I’ll be trying it this week. One suggestion from an instant pot newby – perhaps a video showing how to do this in an actual instant pot so I can see how to do it would be so helpful. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Thank you for this suggestion! I do hope to start making videos once I learn how to make professional-looking ones, haha 🙂 I hope you enjoy!!
Love it! All the spice galore. 😍 Easier than I imagined it. It’s saucy and savory. Thank you for sharing!
Oh and I used a slow cooker!
I’m so glad you liked it!!
I made this one weekend and we ate it all so fast! I made it again a few days later and doubled the recipe. This is now a staple in our home (as Whole30)-Its amazing and SO easy!!
I am so glad you love it! Thanks so much for letting me know!
This was so good!!! I don’t have much experience with Indian food but I love the combination of spices. We ate it with cauliflower rice and broccoli on the side. This will definitely be added to our recipe rotation whether we’re on round or not.
Thank you for another great recipe!!
Yay! I am so glad you liked it!!
Making this tonight. We love Indian food but have two who can’t have dairy so we are looking for good alternatives. If this tastes half as good as it looks I know the whole family will be happy.
I hope you enjoy it!
Absolutely delicious recipe! The whole family loved it. I made it over the stove and used chicken thighs instead and it turned out great.
I am so glad to hear that! Thanks Kristi!
Absolutely delicious! This is a regular recipe in our house now. It is so easy to make.
So easy and so delicious!!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
We made this for Sunday lunch today and I was so glad there were some leftovers so I could have a second taste lol! Unbelievably delicious!! The color was gorgeous too. Thank you, Mary, you did it again!!
Thank you Diane! I’m so glad you like it!!
Loved this recipe! So easy, creamy, and delicious! I doubled the recipe and added a few minutes to the IP time. Turned out great. Leftovers tasted even better!
Great to know it works if you double it with a bit more time! Thanks Morgan!!
I made this for my Indian husband and we both LOVED it! It made enough for both of us to have leftovers the next day for lunch. Delicious and super easy!!
YAY! Thank you, Melissa- so glad you both enjoyed it!
Great recipe and it came out great. Super simple instructions
Thanks, CJ!
Hi – to clarify, I don’t dump all the coconut milk in? Just literally the hardened part?
Just the thick part at the top of the can! You can also mix a whole can of coconut milk first and then measure out 1 cup. The thick part just makes it a little more creamy!
Love Indian food and this is also yummy and easier than I had thought. Thank you for creating a yummy whole30 staple. Comfort food in a healthy way!
I am so glad you found it to be easy! And delicious 🙂 Thank you Lydia!
I made this in the instant pot for the first time (before I made it in a slow cooker) and like it even better! Since I was serving this over rice, I added a small head of cauliflower right when you add the broth. It cooked really nicely along with the chicken! So thankful for your very fast but exceedinly yummy and healthy recipes. I feel so much more equipped to cook in a healthy way for my family because of you!
Thanks so much, Miranda! I love the idea of adding cauliflower! I am so glad I can help provide healthy and easy recipes for you and your family to enjoy 🙂
This was amazing!!! Thank you!! Really got me through my Whole 30 rut to power through the finish line! 👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you!!
This was really delicious and reheats well!
Thanks, Leah! So glad you enjoyed it <3
Amazing recipe! I’ve tried a few, and this is by far my favorite paleo version. Easy to make, and absolutely delicious. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hi Konika! Thanks so much, this is such a great compliment. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Do you have nutrition facts for this recipe? Thanks
Unfortunately I don’t track nutritional info here – hopefully soon!
Easy to make and really yummy! A lot more sauce than chicken (I had 1.5lbs) so I was glad to have added red pepper and mushrooms
Thanks Emily! Those sound like great additions 🙂
Originally tried this recipe while doing whole 30 and we ended up loving it so much it’s in our regular rotation. It is so easy and SO delicious.
I love that Mary uses basic ingredients and an easy process. I’m by no means a chef, but her recipes always make me feel like I am!
Thank you so much, Elaine! This made my day!
I cooked this tonight and it was so yummy!
Yay! Thank you Kate!
Found it on Pinterest. Delicious! Will make again.
Thank you Jackie!
When do you add and what amount of coconut milk is used if cooking in the crock pot? Also the arrowroot and milk is added at the end?
Hi Kerry, sorry for the delay in my response! You would add the same amount of coconut milk for the crock pot, at the end. For the arrowroot slurry, I would turn the crock pot on high for the last 20 minutes or so and add the slurry then while it is bubbling.
No problem! We made this recipe the other night and it was delicious : ) Such a nice treat during this time while most Indian restaurants are closed.
I made this last week and the flavors where absolutely dynamite. It will definitely become a staple in my house. The only issue I had was that the sauce was really thin and didn’t thicken up after an additional “dose” of the slurry. Disclaimer- I don’t have an instant pot and made this in a regular slow cooker. Do you think I should use less broth next time or do you have any other ideas of how to thicken the sauce?
Hi Genevieve! I’m glad you liked it! I would try to use more arrowroot slurry and turn the crock pot on high for the last 30 minutes and let it bubble after you add it! It should thicken up more.
I’ve made several versions of chicken tikka masala and none that satisfied the takeout craving like this. Full disclosure, I’m not on a whole30 and tolerate dairy so used 1/2 cup of heavy cream instead of the coconut milk 🙂
Hi Brandin! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! I bet it’s amazing with cream 🙂
It’s only me eating this would the recipe freeze ok?
Yes it freezes well!
My whole family loves this recipe! I would consider my kids “picky eaters” and they eat this chicken tikka masala recipe every time. It’s easy to make and it’s so delicious!
Thank you, Kate!!
My husband is usually so picky, but absolutely loved this dish! He may have had three helpings…that’s how much he loved it! Not to mention, he couldn’t stop commenting on how delicious it was. I made it with the coconut cilantro lime rice and it was the perfect compliment. This will definitely be in our regular meal rotation!
Awesome – so glad to hear it. Thanks Sara!
We made this tonight for dinner. It was a HIT!!!!! My kids loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks Shelly!
Do you only use the cream of the top of the coconut milk or is there a point you add the rest?
You only use the thick white part – you can save the watery part for smoothies!
You can buy coconut cream. Is it the same or not as thick?
This might be a silly question but do you think this recipe could be turned into a freezer meal? Is so, how would you suggest going about that?
You can freeze it the way it is and it will be fine 🙂
How would you suggest re-heating from frozen? 🙂
My daughter made this dish and we added fresh cauliflower and carrots and frozen peas towards the end for those of us who do not eat chicken. It was delicious. How would you increase proportions for 6 people? Thanks!
THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. OMG. Was craving Indian food, but just started Whole30. The Google machine sent me here. You have a new fan!
Thank you Kit! So glad you enjoyed it!
DELICIOUS!!! Easy to make, amazing flavors. We enjoyed it over rice. Will be in our rotation for sure. Thanks Mary!
Awesome – thanks Maureen!!
Made this a few months ago during a round of Whole30. It was amazing and so flavorful!