Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Low Carb Options)

This Low Carb Instant Pot Butter Chicken is one of my families favorite meals. I can actually say that my kids will request that I made this! I love it because it is super fast to make using my Instant Pot. All the seasonings and rich flavors are sure to keep you coming back for more. Keep reading to learn how to make this easy instant pot family recipe.

What is an Instant Pot?

I don’t know about you, but I honestly don’t know how I survived before I had my own Instant Pot. This versatile kitchen appliance can cook so many different recipes in such a fast amount of time it really is incredible.

An Instant Pot is a small kitchen appliance that combines several functions into one handy device. It serves as an electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer all in one. Instant Pots became so popular for their convenience, efficiency, and ability to cook meals quickly while retaining flavor and nutrients. They’ve become a staple in many kitchens (including mine!), especially for busy families looking to streamline meal preparation.

I personally cook either my Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, chili… or just regular shredded chicken in it almost weekly. It is a well loved kitchen appliance in my home, haha!

One of my families favorite Instant Pot recipes that I make is my Butter Chicken… Now, spoiler alert – I don’t actually make it with butter – although you totally can! My son is dairy free and gluten free, so I tend not to cook with butter as much so he can enjoy it too. When you follow this recipe exactly as I share it, it is a gluten free, dairy free, and low carb option!

Is Instant Pot Butter Chicken Low Carb?

This Instant Pot Butter Chicken is low carb using low carb ingredients like chicken and tomatoes plus some type of cream. What keeps this recipe low carb is how you serve it or what you serve with it. Here are some low carb options to serve with your Instant Pot Butter Chicken:

Cauliflower Rice – This is probably the lowest carb option and resembles how it would be traditionally served with Basmati Rice.

Mix of Brown Rice and Cauliflower Rice – If you want a “lower” carb family friendly version you can sub 1/2 of the rice for cauliflower rice. This is what my family prefers, so this is what I do the most.

Dairy Free Instant Pot Butter Chicken

This recipe of Instant Pot Butter Chicken is dairy free because it uses coconut milk to add the delicious creaminess everyone loves. It’s also easy, because you can just open a can from your pantry and mix it end at the end of your recipe. Coconut milk is a pretty common ingredient that most grocery stores will carry.

Can you sub heavy whipping cream?

I have made it with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and let me say… it is amazing. So, if you aren’t needing to follow a dairy free diet – go ahead and sub in the heavy whipping cream.

Can you cook it with butter?

Yes, if you want to use regular butter or dairy free butter, you can substitute those. I really like cooking with avocado oil because it has a higher smoke point.

Can you make Instant Pot Butter Chicken with Frozen Chicken?

The resounding answer is “YES!”, because most week nights, that is what I do! I usually use 2 lbs of frozen chicken tenderloins because they will cook faster than larger frozen chicken breast. If using large frozen chicken breast, I would just cook it longer (maybe 35 minutes).

When using frozen tenderloins, I cook it for 30 minutes on manual high heat and it is always cooked through. After it is cooked, I will cut the tenderloins into bite sized pieces and then add in the coconut milk.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Low Carb Options)

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Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Lunch or Dinner

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

  

• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 5 cloves garlic about 5 teaspoons minced or crushed
• 2 inch fresh ginger root grated about 2 tablespoons or ginger paste
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon chili powder optional
• 1 teaspoon salt add more if needed
• 2 pounds chicken skinless boneless
• 1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15- oz can of coconut milk full fat
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon of monk fruit optional

Instructions

 

• Turn your saute function on your Instant Pot. Heat up avocado oil.
• Add your garlic and ginger to the pot. Stirring frequently.
• Mix your seasonings together (except parsley) and add to pot.
• Continue to stir until fragrant.
• Add your chicken and diced tomatoes to the seasoning. Stir to combine and coat chicken.
• Lock lid on instant pot and turn on manual high heat for 20 minutes. If using frozen chicken, you will need to cook longer.
• After timer goes off, allow to naturally release.
• Unlock Lid.
• Stir in coconut milk.
• If using monk fruit, add here.
• Top with parsley.

Low Carb Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons avocado oil

5 cloves garlic about 5 teaspoons, minced or crushed

2 inch fresh ginger root grated (about 2 tablespoons) or ginger paste

2 teaspoons garam masala

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

½ teaspoon chili powder optional

1 teaspoon salt add more if needed

2 pounds chicken skinless, boneless

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 15-oz can of coconut milk (full fat)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon of monk fruit (optional)

Directions

1. Turn your saute function on your Instant Pot. Heat up avocado oil.
2. Add your garlic and ginger to the pot. Stirring frequently.
3. Mix your seasonings together (except parsley) and add to pot.
4. Continue to stir until fragrant.
5. Add your chicken and diced tomatoes to the seasoning. Stir to combine and coat chicken.
6. Lock lid on instant pot and turn on manual high heat for 20 minutes. If using frozen chicken, you will need to cook longer.
7. After timer goes off, allow to naturally release.
8. Unlock Lid.
9. Stir in coconut milk.
10. If using monk fruit, add here.
11. Top with parsley.

Enjoy!

Whether you are following a low carb lifestyle or not, you can enjoy this Low Carb Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe that is full of flavor! This recipe also is gluten free and I’ve given you dairy free options so that our whole family can enjoy it too.

More Family Favorite Low Carb Recipes

Homemade Keto Friendly Alfredo Sauce

Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

Instant Pot Gumbo

Instant Pot White Bean Chicken Chili

My Famous Butternut Squash Pumpkin Soup

Easy Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Crockpot Creamy Mushroom Chicken Casserole

Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole 

Cheeseburger Cauliflower Casserole