What Makes This Recipe So Good
We use the Instant Pot to cut down on the simmering time without cutting corners on flavor.Caramelizing the aromatics and tomato sauce creates that authentic restaurant-quality chicken tikka masala taste that the whole family will love.The dried fenugreek leaves add a flavor to the dish that you’ll recognize from Indian restaurants but likely have left out of your own Indian cooking. I highly recommend getting some for your pantry!It’s perfect for a variety of dietary needs. All of the ingredients are Whole30-compliant, which makes this one paleo-friendly, too. It’s also low carb!
Can I Make This Recipe in the Crockpot?
Yes and no. You can absolutely use the Crockpot to simmer the mixture once you’ve caramelized the aromatics and tomato sauce, but you won’t be able to do those two things in the Crockpot.Here’s what I recommend:Follow the directions in my Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala recipe for caramelizing the onion, serrano chile, garlic, and ginger, and then simmering the tomato sauce on the stovetop. Transfer the mixture to your Crockpot or slow cooker after step 5 and cook on low for about 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Cook on High for about 2-2 1/2 hours.
Variations
For a mild Instant Pot chicken tikka masala, use only one serrano chile and deseed it first before chopping.Swap the green bell pepper for a red bell pepper for a slightly sweeter veggie.Use chicken thighs for even-more-tender chicken.For a dairy-free version, use refined coconut in place of the ghee or butter.
Chef’s Tips
When steaming your cauliflower rice, throw in a jasmine tea bag to infuse a classic basmati flavor.If you’re on a Whole30, make sure you use a compliant yogurt to marinate your chicken. Kite Hill Unsweetened is great! If you can’t find it or prefer not to use it, that’s fine, too. Just leave it out of the marinade.Don’t skip the caramelization process! Yes, it takes time, but it’s completely worth it. If you skip this part, you’ll be missing out on the restaurant-quality flavor you’d otherwise get from this Instant Pot chicken tikka masala.
Other Whole30 Recipes You’ll Love
Breakfast Egg Roll in a Bowl (Whole30, Paleo)Whole30 Beef StroganoffEgg Roll in a Bowl with Creamy Chili Sauce (Keto, Whole30, Paleo)Paleo Chinese Chicken Salad (Whole30)Brussels Sprouts Salad (Whole30, Paleo, Non-Dairy)
