Butter-Free Fab 4 Butter Chicken: A Fast Weeknight Fab 4 Feast for the Whole Family

Recipes
Butter-Free Fab 4 Butter Chicken: A Fast Weeknight Feast for the Whole Family

Craving a comforting, flavorful meal that’s ready in a flash? Look no further than this Butter-Free Butter Chicken, a dairy-free twist on the beloved Indian classic. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is a breeze to prepare in your Instant Pot.

Whether you’re short on time or just in need of a cozy dinner, this dish is the perfect solution. Thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s incredibly quick and easy to prepare, with all the rich, savory flavors you love—without hours of cooking or a long list of ingredients.

Instant pots are a game-changer for busy weeknights, allowing you to cook tender, flavorful dishes in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional methods. With their ability to sauté, pressure cook, and slow cook, you can create mouthwatering meals with minimal effort. Once you’ve added your ingredients and set the cooking time, the Instant Pot does all the work. There’s no need for constant stirring, checking, or babysitting the pot -- giving you more time to enjoy family dinner and less time in the kitchen.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a healthier, lighter version of this beloved Indian dish that's rich in flavor and full of the nutrients your body craves. Packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and greens, this dish checks all the boxes of the Fab 4—without the heavy cream or butter for my dairy-free friends. It's a great way to keep everyone satisfied while balancing blood sugar and fueling your family with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients. So, let’s dig in and make your next weeknight dinner a hit - without the fuss!
  • Prep Time

    10 minutes

  • Total Time

    25 minutes

  • Servings

    4-6

  • Freezer Friendly

    Yes

Ingredients

For the Instant Pot:

  • 1 ¾ cup Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • ½ tsp Ground Chipotle
  • 6 cloves Garlic
  • 1-2 teaspoons Minced Ginger
  • 1 ½ pounds of Chicken

For the Sauce:

  • ⅔ cup Coconut Milk
  • 2 tbsp Vegan Butter
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala

To Serve:

  • Cilantro
  • 1 bag of Cauliflower rice, steamed

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients, up to the chicken, to your Instant Pot in the order listed.
  2. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes.
  3. Carefully remove the chicken and set aside. Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender) to blend the remaining ingredients in the pot until smooth.
  4. Stir in the coconut milk, vegan butter, olive oil, and garam masala. Return the chicken to the sauce and heat through.
  5. Serve over steamed cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.