Pressure Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Name: Pressure Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 large onion, finely chopped; 4-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon garam masala; 2-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon paprika; 3/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes; 1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree; 1/3 cup water; 1 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded; 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) plain yogurt; Hot cooked basmati rice; Chopped fresh cilantro, optional

The flavors of this Indian-style entree keep me coming back for more. The dish isn’t fancy, and it’s simply spiced—but it’s simply amazing.—Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
4-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon garam masala
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree
1/3 cup water
1 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) plain yogurt
Hot cooked basmati rice
Chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Directions

Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker and adjust for medium heat; add oil. Cook onion until tender. Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in seasonings and cook 30 seconds. Add chicken, tomato puree, water, jalapeno and bay leaf.
Lock lid; make sure vent is closed. Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high and set time for 10 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release the pressure according to manufacturer's directions. Discard bay leaf.
Select saute setting and adjust for medium heat; bring mixture to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and yogurt until smooth; gradually stir into sauce. Cook and stir until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve with rice. If desired, sprinkle with cilantro.

Test Kitchen tips

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Tikka masala has no standard recipe. It varies from family to family in Indian culture. Traditionally, chicken is marinated in the yogurt and spice mixture and cooked in a tandoori oven.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup chicken mixture (calculated without rice): 279 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 856mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala in Cook It Fast, Cook It Slow

Reviews

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Average Rating:

melfreas

Feb 28, 2018

Made this last night. Taste was amazing and the chicken was so tender. There is one problem with this recipe though, which I didn't really catch until I had started the cooking process - it does not call for any liquid in addition to the tomato puree. Pressure cookers need that liquid to come to pressure. Next time I make this I will add at least a half cup of broth with the spices. Hopefully that will allow the cooker to come to pressure in a more timely fashion. Last night I needed to stop the cooking process, open the pressure cooked, cancel, and then start the process over again. It worked the second time, probably because the chicken had released enough liquid in the first attempt.