Pressure Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

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jnalv

Fantastic, and forgiving! In my haste & hangriness, I dumped in the whole can of coconut milk (triple the amount!) and it still turned out fantastic with no further finageling.Pro-tip: a good ole 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes is — as always — an awesome time-saver here, but make sure to stir in ~1/2 cup of water so that there's enough steam for the pot to come up to pressure. And have the can open at your side when the spices go in; they can scorch quickly.

DougC

It's worth noting that the "release pressure naturally" can take up to half an hour (in addition to the 4 min cook time). Would be good to spell that out up front so you don't start just 10 minutes before your guests show up!

Diane

Used an InstaPot. Followed exactly. Used 4 tomatoes, stick cinnamon and 1.5t of garam masala. This was the best Indian curry I've had outside of London or Mumbai! Well worth the prep. Mis en place.

Michael

Cooking everything together will work if you need to do other things while the dish is cooking. After all, that is what happens with the steam plate dishes in Indian restaurant lunch buffets. But, one of the attractive features of much of Indian cuisine is its focus on creating layers of flavors. Keeping the coconut milk and garam masala mix of herbs and spices to later in the process enables the flavors they create to have a fresh distinctiveness that is blurred by protracted cooking.

madam bomb

Wow! This can be done on the stove in HALF the time. The proportions and process is right but the ins and outs of timing is really unnecessary for such a simple dish. Pressure cooker is not required here at all. Large cuts fine but pieces of chicken? This is not a 1 hour dish, it’s 2 hours w prep. FYI

Beth

I cooked this according to the directions...4 minutes to cook 2 1/2 pounds of chicken? Mine was raw when I opened it! I put it back in for 10 minutes under high pressure! It was finally cooked! Has anyone else run into this?

Anne

I used the whole can of coconut milk instead of 1/2 cup, because what else am I going to with the rest of the can... also, used 28 oz canned diced tomato with 1/2 cup water added. This recipe was amazing - it was even better the next day. I wonder if adding some chopped potato along with the chicken might work here?

katy lesser

i was just rereading the instant pot instructions: "always add at least 2 cups of water so enough steam can be generated..." last night when i made this recipe, the pot indicated "burn" and did not get up to pressure. looking at the recipe there is no way there are 2 cups of liquid. where did i go wrong?

Biggwater

So...dont get the idea this is a quick dish...with prep, cooker warm up, cook time and pressure release "naturally" this dish can take the normal cook easily 1 to 1.5 hour...but dang it is worth it!!! Really good pot luck dish

Layla

I made this for the first time using an Instant Pot (borrowed from a friend), and then again on the stove with some amendments to make it work. While both were delicious, the Instant Pot version definitely resulted in more concentrated flavors. If you have the option, I would definitely recommend using the Instant Pot.

Wisoc003

Ya know, anytime I’m using the pressure cooker I’m doing it to save time. The first round of making this recipe I was like, dang, this is a lot of work. Then I tried it and was like, dang, that was so worth it. It’s absolutely delicious. It’s fragrant, flavorful, savory, and comforting. Made a few changes based on what I had - used canned tomatoes (28oz because I love tomatoes in Indian dishes), and I didn’t have coriander (oops!). I think this recipe is pretty forgiving so you have flexibility!

Tony De

I don't think Step 3 is going to work without adding water after Step 2. If you don't add water you're just going to burn the ingredients.

Anna

Used a 28 oz can of whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes which I crushed by hand. With this I did not need to add additional liquid to the pressure cooker. Rather than scooping out the chicken and reducing the sauce as described, I added a can of coconut cream (instead of milk) and let it all simmer in the instant pot on the "keep warm" function for about an hour after the natural release. This is a great dish to make ahead for guests, as the flavors meld and get better over time.

Chris Killorin

I'd like to rate this 10 stars. It does take time but so worth it.

Sarah

Note on the salt. The recipe calls for kosher salt, likely referring to Diamond Crystal kosher salt which is NOT equivalent to Morton kosher salt or table salt. If using any salt other than Diamond Crystal, you will need less.

Christina

Outstanding recipe!!! Every time I taste tested at the end (I was waiting for my husband to get home), I said OMG! And then he arrived and said the same thing! I followed others’ advice and was thankful to have everything prepped in advance, used canned tomato puree, and cooked on the stove. I also threw in some carrots and peas to add some veggies—this base would make a delicious vegetarian dish or would work well with other meats or seafood. Instant favorite.

rc from canada.

New Year’s Eve. Making this as a novice IP user. Soooo long!! The cook time for the chicken is wayyyy too short. Waiting to see if it’s cooked now! May eat this tomorrow!! HNY!

Hugo

This thickened up very nicely in the fridge overnight (as many curries do). Would make ahead in future.

sooo good!

I’ve never made something so delicious! I added carrots, peas, and lentils to add some more veggies. I suspect you could also just make this a completely vegetarian dish. As everyone else said, it did take me longer than I expected but it was so worth it.

bear

One of my best curries and easy, but takes almost two hours to complete!

Lizzi

Has anyone used a slow cooker for this recipe?

maggiecooks

I made this on the stovetop in a Dutch oven. I browned chicken thighs in the oil and butter first, then added them back in once the recipe called for them. I also added a whole can of coconut milk, and hit the sauce with an immersion blender to smooth it out. It was delicious!

CJR

Really good and not too difficult. I followed the recipe exactly but next time I will probably use a can of crushed tomatoes instead of fresh. Also, I think it would be even better with a few additions, maybe garbanzo beans or veggies like carrots, green beans, potatoes.

too much shredded lemon grass

I like to double the coconut. Also any chicken, esp on the bone tastes wonderful

KC

I followed the recipe to a T but my curry ended up overly oily, any idea what I could have done wrong? Maybe I'll add less ghee and coconut oil next time?

Katy

5 stars! Like others, I used canned, crushed tomatoes instead of the fresh tomato puree (also added 1/2 cup water). Wish I had used the ground cardamom option instead of the lightly crushed cardamom pods - they were pretty difficult to find after pressure cooking and, as mentioned in the intro, unpleasant to bite into. Added a little extra coconut milk and the full amount of garam masala. Took about one hour start to finish; measuring everything out first sped things along. Great recipe!

Craig

Even using kosher salt 1TB is a bit much. I’d start with 1 tsp and adjust from there. Otherwise, great recipe.

Rose

I did this in a slow cooker with cubes of chicken breast. Made the sauce in a sauté pan before putting everything in the slow cooker. Used canned crushed tomatoes and the whole can of coconut milk. Added some carrots, potato and cauliflower. Pretty good, but didn’t feel like the flavors really had depth. Perhaps that would be different in the pressure cooker, which I have never found to be easier or a time saver.

JB

I cooked this in the instant pot exactly per the recipe except used canned tomato purée and cut up chicken breast. The chicken cooked fine on these settings. Did anyone else find this…too salty? I wonder if I made a mistake and put too much? I’m wishing I had waited to salt it at the end. The sauce was really thick so I also added the rest of the 28 oz can of tomato purée and the 15 ounce can of the coconut milk as others have mentioned. Then wilted a bag of spinach. Very nice!

Liz

Followed the recipe exactly and made it in an InstaPot and served it over basmati rice.If you're cooking in a pressure cooker, remember to account for the time when the pressure needs to be released naturally. FANTASTIC dish! This will be a repeat!

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Pressure Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you put coconut milk in a pressure cooker? ›

Make the curry: Place chicken, onions, ginger, garlic, tamarind paste, 1 cup coconut milk, salt, turmeric, cayenne, and water into the inner liner of your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Add the spice mix and stir well. Cook for 6 minutes at high pressure.

How much water do you add to pressure cooked chicken? ›

Add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot (water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice). Place chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer and season with salt, pepper or any seasonings you like. Secure the instant pot lid and make sure the vent is set to “sealed”.

How do you thicken coconut curry? ›

Cornflour

Ideal for Chinese sauces or Thai curries but can also be used for Indian curries. Add one tablespoon of cornflour to two or three tablespoons of cold water and stir. Pour the mixture into the sauce and allow to simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Which doesn't take very long.

How to make a thick coconut milk curry? ›

Lite coconut milk will not do the job (and will change the flavor, by the way). Go to the store and buy some flour. Make a slurry (equal parts of flour and cold water), bring the curry to a boil and slowly add the slurry while stirring until you reach the desired consistency.

Can I use milk instead of water in pressure cooker? ›

Avoid dairy meals.

Most dairy products such as cheese, milk and sour cream will curdle in a pressure cooker.

When should you add coconut milk to a slow cooker? ›

I am often asked if you can put coconut milk in a crockpot—the answer is yes, but not until the end of the recipe. I repeat, do not add coconut milk to a slow cooker right at the beginning; it will curdle as the recipe cooks.

How long does it take to cook chicken in a pressure cooker? ›

chicken requires 18 minutes of high pressure cooking. Add 6 minutes of cooking time per additional pound. Note: You can submerge your chicken directly in the cooking liquid, especially if you want to make chicken stock. However, the steamer basket method ensures crispy skin and won't wash away the seasoning.

Can you overcook chicken in a pressure cooker? ›

Oddly enough, it can be really challenging to get the right texture when cooking boneless chicken breasts. They cook quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you don't cook them long enough they get a weird, rubber-like texture that's nearly impossible to chew, and if you cook them too long, their texture gets dry.

Why is my chicken tough after pressure cooking? ›

Overcooking or cooking at too high a temperature can result in tough, dry chicken. Undercooking can leave chicken undercooked and chewy.

How to make coconut curry creamier? ›

Best way to thicken is is to grate a potato or two in there. Potato is delicious in curries and adds creaminess naturally. I also like to turn some dry coconut flakes to powder using a coffee grinder and add it in. It intensifies the coconut flavor and thickens at the same time.

What to do if you put too much coconut milk in curry? ›

If you're looking to reduce the coconut milk taste in a dish, here are a few tips. First, try adding a small amount of another liquid like chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even plain water.

Will coconut milk make curry thicker? ›

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Should I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

The coconut milk cools the spices in curry and adds its signature nutty-sweet flavor and thick texture. Curries are much easier to make than you think; just combine coconut milk with red, green, yellow, or any curry paste or dried curry spice mixes like Madras or garam masala.

How much curry paste do I add to coconut milk? ›

Add 5-6 tbsp red curry paste, sizzle for a few secs, then pour in 800ml coconut milk. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, stir a little and wait for the oil to rise to the surface.

How do I add coconut milk to curry without curdling? ›

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to a dish to prevent curdling of coconut milk. Adding cornstarch will also thicken the sauce, so don't use it if you're making a dish that requires a thin sauce.

Can you put milk in a pressure cooker? ›

If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. The high heat and pressure can cause milk and cheese to curdle, separate or clump together.

Is it OK to pressure cook milk? ›

Just like in a slow cooker, most dairy products such as cheese, milk and sour cream will curdle in an Instant Pot, no matter if you use the pressure cooking setting or the slow cooking setting. Add these ingredients after the dish cooks or avoid making the recipe in the Instant Pot altogether.

Does coconut milk split in a slow cooker? ›

Creamy ingredients (whether they're dairy or non-dairy) can split in a slow cooker. Avoid adding milk, cream, yoghurt, coconut cream or coconut milk at the beginning of cooking as it can end up curdled and grainy. For the best results, stir through at the end of the cooking time and warm through gently without boiling.

Does coconut milk steam well? ›

Oat milk and coconut milk are similar, as all are low in protein. This creates an issue as they need longer steaming time to build microfoam, but they will work at temperatures around 149 degrees fahrenheit, so they can be used. Keep in mind that coconut milk becomes thick above that temperature!

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