Craving a meal that’s pure comfort in a bowl but won’t weigh you down? Look no further! This Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Chicken is the answer to your weeknight dinner dreams. We’re talking tender, bite-sized chicken and cauliflower florets swimming in a luxuriously creamy, spiced sauce that comes together in just 35 minutes. It’s rich, satisfying, and secretly low-carb, making it a dish that everyone at the table will love. Let’s fire up the Instant Pot and create some magic!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs / 900g boneless, skin-on chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp / 28g butter
• 1 cup / 100g cauliflower, chopped into small florets
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green chili pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 2 cups / 480ml chicken broth
• ½ cup / 120ml heavy cream
• 1 tbsp / 15ml olive oil
• 1 tsp / 5g cumin seeds
• 1 tsp / 5g chili powder
• 1 tsp / 5g smoked paprika
• 1 tsp / 5g fresh ginger, grated
• ½ tsp / 2.5g fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp / 5g salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cream Base: In a small food processor or blender, combine the garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, heavy cream, chili powder, and 1 tsp of salt. Blend until you have a smooth, creamy mixture. Set this aside for later.
2. Sauté the Chicken: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function on high. Once hot, add the butter. Add the chicken pieces, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken to a separate plate.
3. Sauté Aromatics: To the same pot, add the chopped onion and green chili. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to coat them in the spices.
4. Pressure Cook: Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle with the smoked paprika. Stir everything together, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button. Set the timer for 5 minutes on high pressure.
5. Release Pressure & Finish: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to “Venting.” Once the pin drops, open the lid.
6. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the reserved heavy cream mixture. Press the “Sauté” button again and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the creamy cauliflower chicken warm.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving
• Calories: 615
• Total Fat: 32.8g
• Net Carbs: 5.6g
• Protein: 69.9g
• Fiber: 2g
Pro Tips
• For an even more tender and flavorful result, substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot when browning the chicken. Work in two batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown sear.
• To make this dish milder, omit the green chili pepper entirely. For a spicier kick, leave a few of the chili seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Serve this dish over fluffy basmati rice or with a side of warm naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a low-carb option, it’s perfect on its own.
FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this recipe
A: Yes, absolutely! The recipe notes suggest that using boneless, skinless chicken thighs can result in an even more tender and flavorful dish. The cooking time in the Instant Pot remains the same.
Q: Is this Instant Pot chicken recipe keto-friendly
A: Yes, with only 5.6g of net carbs per serving, this creamy cauliflower chicken is a fantastic option for a keto or low-carb diet. It’s rich, satisfying, and packed with protein and healthy fats.
Q: How can I make this creamy cauliflower chicken spicier or milder
A: To increase the heat, you can leave some seeds in the green chili or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. For a milder version of this creamy chicken dish, simply omit the green chili pepper entirely.
Q: What should I serve with this creamy chicken dish
A: This versatile Instant Pot creamy cauliflower chicken is delicious on its own for a low-carb meal. It also pairs wonderfully with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread to soak up the amazing creamy sauce.
