Chicken Chickpea Masala (Instant Pot)

This chicken chickpea masala is so easy and so quick, you’ll want to make it frequently. Serve it with rice or with naan bread to scoop up the rich, spicy, creamy sauce.

Ever since I was forced to cook on top my washing machine in the laundry room during the kitchen renovation, my Instant Pot has been my best friend. Even with a beautiful new stove and my upgraded cooking space, it still makes a regular appearance for stews, curries or quick pasta dishes. 

I’m looking forward to cooler weather and more of those on the menu!

Chicken Chickpea Masala (Instant Pot)

This recipe was inspired by a chicken chickpea spinach masala shared on Serious Eats. Don’t be discouraged by the long list of ingredients. This dish comes together quickly with boneless chicken breasts which take very little time to cook and serves four.

Ingredients 

1 medium onion
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons sinduriya powder (achiote)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground fennel
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (weight 1 lb or 450g after defatting)
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
1 (10 oz or 283g ) can tomatoes with chiles (like Ro-Tel, store brand is fine)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 (15 oz or 425g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup or 120ml chicken stock
3/4 cup or 180ml coconut cream
Fine sea salt to taste

To serve: cooked rice or naan bread

Method
Peel and finely chop your onions, garlic and ginger and measure all the spices out into a bowl. 

Heat ghee in an Instant Pot on high sauté. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until pale brown, about 5 minutes. 

Add in the spices, diced tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently. 

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces then add them to the Instant Pot, along with the chickpeas. 

Add half of the cilantro (reserving the other half for garnish) and the chicken stock. Stir to combine.

Set the Instant Pot to cook for 6 minutes.

When the 6 minutes are up, allow the Instant Pot to depressure naturally for 12 minutes then release the steam carefully by covering it with a towel and opening the vent slowly. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and turn it to low sauté.

Add in the coconut cream and then the lime juice. Stir well and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens. 

Season to taste with salt, if needed. Garnish with remaining cilantro leaves.

Serve hot with rice or naan bread.

Enjoy!

Today is Multicooker Monday! Make sure to check out all the other recipes my friends have made in their small appliances to share today. Many thanks to our host and organizer, Sue of Palatable Pastime. 

• Air Fryer Roasted Red Pumpkin Bharta - Khaddu Ka Bharta from Sneha’s Recipe
• Chicken Chickpea Masala - Instant Pot from Food Lust People Love
• Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Orange Apple Chutney from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Instant Pot Ragu from Making Miracles
• Slow Cooker Beef Oxtails from Palatable Pastime
• Thai Red Curry Baby Back Ribs (Instant Pot) from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Toaster Oven Baked Eggs from Veggies First Then Dessert
• Toaster Oven Corn Bread from Sid's Sea Palm Cooking

Multicooker Monday is a blogger group created by Sue of Palatable Pastime for all of us who need encouragement to make better use of our small appliances like slow cookers, Instant Pots, Air Fryers, rice cookers and sous vide machines. We get together every third Monday of the month to share our recipes. If you are a food blogger who would like to post with us, please request to join our Facebook group.

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