Dairy Free Butter Chicken and Rice {Instant Pot/Multicooker/Pressure Cooker}

Step 1

Start by soaking the rice in water and set aside - it needs to soak for 15 minutes.Finely grate the ginger, peel and roughly mince the garlic.Press the saute/brown button, wait a few minutes for it to heat up and then add the oil. Add the garlic and ginger - stir for a minute until fragrant.

Step 2

Add the remaining oil and the spices - stir for another 30 seconds. Turn off the saute function. Remove the mixture to a bowl and set aside.

Step 3

To the inner pot, pour in the crushed tomatoes and ⅓ cup water. Ensure to scrape off anything stuck on the bottom of the inner pot and mix well. Optional - Using a damp paper/kitchen towel, wipe down the sides of the inner bowl or rinse it out. This prevents the rice getting any sauce colour on it.

Step 4

Add the chicken thighs on top of the tomato-water mixture.

Step 5

Layer the ginger-garlic-spice mixture on top of the chicken thighs.

Step 6

Next, add the trivet to sit on top of all the curry ingredients.

Step 7

Using a 75cm/2.5 ft piece of aluminium foil - folded in half and half again along the length - create a sling for the cake tin and place it under the cake tin.Drain the rice well and add it to the cake tin (without the water).

Step 8

Hold the sling on each side - pretty close to the tin itself - and lower the tin into the inner pot to sit on the trivet.

Step 9

Add the 2 cups water to the rice.

Step 10

Give the rice and water a gentle stir to evenly distribute and ensure it’s all covered by water.

Step 11

Roll down/fold the sling on each side so that the pressure cooker/multicooker lid will close. Leave the cake tin uncovered.

Step 12

Place the lid on the pressure cooker/multicooker, lock it and seal the vent.

Step 13

Cook for 8 minutes at high pressure and then 10 minutes natural release. IMPORTANT: if your multicooker/Instant Pot gets a burn error or has done previously with similar recipes, you will need to add some more water (eg. 1/4 cup) to the bottom of the pot under the chicken. Don't add extra water unless absolutely required.

Step 14

At the end of cooking, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

Step 15

Carefully remove the cake tin with the rice as it will be hot. It might have some sauce on the bottom so be careful where you place it on your kitchen bench to prevent staining. Cover the rice with some foil to keep it hot.

Step 16

Remove the chicken, chop into large bite sized pieces and set aside.

Step 17

If you had to add more water to the curry, you will need to press the saute button to reduce the sauce for 5 minutes.Add the coconut cream and honey and blend the sauce with a stick blender. This is optional, but is best for a smooth and thick sauce. You could also do this in a regular blender once the sauce has cooled a bit.

Step 18

Return the chicken pieces back to the sauce, turn the pot to saute if the butter chicken needs heating up. Adjust the salt if you prefer more. Serve straight away with rice and any sides like naan.Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or the freezer for up to a month. Store the rice separately to the curry or together in portioned meal sizes.