24-Minute Instant Pot Chicken Curry with Vegetables
Easily made in the pressure cooker, this Instant Pot Chicken Curry is the perfect dinner! Packed with vegetables and full of flavor, you'll be wishing you made this earlier!
On sauté mode on your Instant Pot, add in the olive oil and diced onions. Sauté for a minute before adding in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
Stir thoroughly to combine and then turn off sauté mode.
Add in the diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and potatoes plus ¼ cup of water.
2 cups baby potatoes, halved, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can coconut milk
Lightly mix the top layer (of what you just added) without disturbing the layer of chicken down below. Top off with a bay leaf. Cook under pressure for 4 minutes. It will take 10 minutes for it to come up to pressure. Then natural pressure release for 4 minutes before quick releasing.
2 bay leaves
Remove the bay leaves. Add in the frozen cauliflower and frozen peas.
2 cups frozen cauliflower, 1 cup frozen peas
You can either stir on sauté mode until the cauliflower has softened or you can can pressure cook for "0" minutes and quick release.
Notes
Prep Tips:
If you notice browned bits stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot after sautéing the onion and garlic, deglaze the pot before pressure cooking. Add a splash of water and scrape the bottom well with a wooden spoon to help prevent a burn notice.
Cut the chicken into similarly sized pieces so it cooks evenly during the short pressure-cooking time.
Variations:
For a thicker curry, combine cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry, stir it into the finished curry, and simmer on sauté mode for about a minute until thickened.
Swap the frozen cauliflower for another quick-cooking vegetable, such as frozen green beans or a mixed vegetable blend.
Adjust the amount of curry powder to suit your family's tastes if you prefer a milder or more strongly spiced curry.
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a slightly richer flavor.
Add a handful of baby spinach along with the peas and cauliflower for some extra greens.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the curry over steamed rice, spooning plenty of the flavorful cooking liquid over the top.
Try it with basmati or jasmine rice, both of which pair nicely with the curry and coconut flavors.
Serve with warm naan or another flatbread for soaking up the extra sauce.
Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro just before serving for a fresh finish.
For an extra touch, serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over individual portions.
Storage:
Store leftover chicken curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through, adding a small splash of water if the curry has thickened in the refrigerator.
The curry can also be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the potatoes and vegetables may be somewhat softer after freezing and thawing.
Thaw frozen curry in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly on the stovetop or in the microwave.