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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot & Crock Pot

Modified: Sep 27, 2022 | Categories: Instant Pot & Crock Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Lentil Curry

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It still blows my mind that I can cook up an entire meal, like this Instant Pot chicken lentil curry, in just a matter of minutes and it tastes insanely good.  

This fabulously cozy curry dish has juicy, pulled chicken and tender lentils in a coconut milk broth with tomatoes, lime, cilantro, turmeric, garlic and ginger served over fluffy Jasmine rice.

Yum, yum, yum.

White bowl with Jasmine rice and Indian Coconut Chicken made in the Instant Pot.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

How to make Instant Pot Indian coconut chicken

Featured Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs: I use chicken thighs because they are tender and juicy and can withstand being simmered or cooked for long periods of time while retaining that tenderness and juiciness.
    • Grab a pack of boneless, skinless thighs for this recipe.
  • Lentils: I love lentils in this dish, and they're inexpensive.
    • Keep a container or bag of them in your pantry for recipes like this one. P.S. they're loaded with fiber and protein!
  • Diced tomatoes: Grab a can of regular or fire roasted diced tomatoes and toss them in.
    • (Even if you think it sounds like an odd addition to this recipe, I promise it's good!).
  • Coconut milk: The full fat canned kind.
  • Stock: I always use stock for recipes like this one (and soups), because it's loaded with flavor.
    • Adding just water won't do any favors from a flavor perspective.
  • Onion, garlic, ginger: Flavor, flavor, flavor!
  • Garam masala, turmeric: Beautiful curry flavors + color from the turmeric.
    • I add them while the vegetables are sauteing to bring out the maximum flavor of the spices.
  • Lime: For acidity and fresh flavor.
  • Cilantro: If you like it, add a handful of freshly chopped.
  • Rice: I love fluffy Jasmine rice for this dish!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients, except lime juice (if using), cilantro and rice into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
  2. Set on high pressure, sealed, for 11 minutes.
  3. Once the 11-minute timer goes off, let sit 5 minutes.
  4. Use a wooden spoon to flip from sealed to venting and let the steam escape.
  5. Once finished, carefully open the lid.
  6. Carefully shred chicken with two forks.
  7. Stir in lime juice (if using) and chopped cilantro.
  8. Serve over cooked Jasmine rice with more chopped cilantro, if desired.
White bowl filled with Jasmine rice and Indian Coconut Chicken made in the Instant Pot.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • Chicken thighs: You can use chicken breasts, but they shouldn't be overcooked, so be carefully during the cooking process.
    • You could also use shredded pork or beef for this recipe.
  • Lentils: You could omit them from the recipe, then add a can or two of cooked chickpeas during the final steps of this recipe.
  • Coconut milk: You could use a few tablespoons of heavy cream or half and half instead.
  • Stock: You can use store-bought stock or make your own.
  • Garam masala: You can buy garam masala spice mix or make your own.
  • Cilantro: Swap with parsley if you're not a fan of cilantro.
  • Rice: Swap Jasmine for basmati or regular brown or white rice.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make this gluten free: This recipe is naturally gluten free.
    • Be sure all packaged ingredients are gluten free.
  • To make this dairy free: This recipe is naturally dairy free.
  • To make this vegetarian: Swap the chicken for firm tofu or 2 cans cooked chickpeas.
    • Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
  • To make this vegan: Swap the chicken for firm tofu or 2 cans cooked chickpeas.
    • Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
  • To make this nut free: This recipe is nut free.
    • Be sure all packaged ingredients are nut free.
White bowls filled with Jasmine rice and Coconut Indian Chicken made in the Instant Pot.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

Fantastic Instant Pot recipes:

  • Instant Pot Bean Soup
  • Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Vindaloo
  • Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
  • Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
  • Instant Pot Chunky Applesauce
Print

Instant Pot Chicken Lentil Curry

White bowl with Jasmine rice and Indian Coconut Chicken made in the Instant Pot.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

Chicken and lentil curry made in the Instant Pot with chicken thighs, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, fresh lime juice and cilantro.  Served over fluffy Jasmine rice.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 10-15 min
  • Cook Time: 20-25 min
  • Total Time: 30-40 min
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Instant Pot or Crock Pot
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes with juice
  • 15-ounce can full fat canned coconut milk
  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • ⅓ cup unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1-1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
  • Splash fresh lime juice (optional)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked Jasmine rice (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients, except lime juice (if using), cilantro and rice into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.  Set on high pressure, sealed, for 11 minutes.
  2. Once the 11-minute timer goes off, let sit 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to flip from sealed to venting and let the steam escape.  Once finished, carefully open the lid.  Carefully shred chicken with two forks.  Stir in lime juice (if using) and chopped cilantro.
  3. Serve over cooked Jasmine rice with more chopped cilantro, if desired.

Notes

To Cook in the Crock Pot: Place all ingredients, except cilantro and Jasmine rice, into the crock pot and stir to combine.  Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours, until chicken shreds easily with two forks.  Stir in lime juice (if using) and cilantro.  Serve over cooked Jasmine rice with more chopped cilantro, if desired. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ⅙ of recipe
  • Calories: 427
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 444
  • Fat: 22.5
  • Saturated Fat: 13.5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 29
  • Fiber: 6.5
  • Protein: 33
  • Cholesterol: 55

Keywords: ethnic, butter chicken, coconut chicken, lentil dal, easy, healthy

Did you make this recipe?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    October 07, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    I made this today and it’s delicious. I imagine it will only get better tomorrow. I made this with my slow cooker and it cooked perfectly. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      October 07, 2018 at 7:04 pm

      Suzanne! I am SO glad you love this dish! It's one of my faves and to be honest, I ate it almost every day last week for leftovers and loved it more every day. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

      Reply
      • Richard T says

        March 09, 2022 at 9:28 pm

        This worked great for me, even when I forgot the stock and poured water instead. I was a little low on chicken, but boosting the lentils made up for it. And it really is quick! It felt as if all I had to do was chop the onion and the ginger. Thank you, Julie.

        ★★★★★

      • Julie Andrews says

        March 10, 2022 at 8:23 am

        I'm so glad you loved it, Richard!! Thanks so much for the message, it makes my day to hear about those who are loving my recipes. 🙂

  2. Ellice says

    June 18, 2022 at 10:18 pm

    Can you use something other than coconut milk?

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      June 20, 2022 at 8:25 am

      Hi Ellice! Yes, I would just add a couple of tablespoons of half and half or heavy cream once it's cooked. Just stir it in at the end. You'll still get the creaminess with this substitution! You may have to add a little bit more stock if it's too thick, too. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Deon says

    July 01, 2022 at 10:13 pm

    Easy and delicious!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      July 04, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      So happy you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  4. DWolken says

    September 28, 2022 at 8:51 pm

    Made this tonight for dinner. Didn't have ginger so just sprinkled some dry ginger spice. Used diced tomatoe with chipotle, so pretty spicy but family likes spicy. Had whole boneless chicken breast which was tender and not dry at all. Threw everything in instant pot, so easy. Nice accent with cilantro and lime. We all had 2 servings. Not much leftovers. Will be a regular for us. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      September 29, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      That's awesome to hear!! I hope you get a chance to make it again. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Karina says

    January 03, 2023 at 5:15 pm

    Very easy and delicious! I substituted ground ginger and garlic for fresh. Had barely over 1 lb chicken and there was just enough liquid so if I had the full 1 1/2 lbs I'd probably up the broth a little. This is one of the few lentil recipes my husband has chowed down with compliments!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      January 03, 2023 at 7:50 pm

      That's amazing to hear, Karina! Love it when the family approves, too. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Keri Pommerenk says

    February 22, 2023 at 9:59 pm

    Absolutely Fantastic! My entire family immediately said, "You have to make this again!" I made this recipe as written for the Instant Pot. I used Chana Daal for the lentils. I soaked the lentils for a few hours in cold water. My only additions to the recipe were: 2 teaspoons cumin & 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek. I also used 2lbs chicken thighs cut into 1 inch cubes so I didn't have to shred the chicken when it was done. Again, this recipe will definitely go on heavy rotation in our house. Thank you for sharing it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      February 25, 2023 at 9:26 am

      You're so welcome, Keri! I am so happy to hear your whole family loved it!

      Reply
  7. April says

    March 02, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    Trying this tonight and my instant pot keeps going to burn even though I’ve added more liquid. Trying to sauté it in the instant pot instead. Hopefully it turns out ok!

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      March 05, 2023 at 7:55 pm

      Hi April! How did it turn out? The Instant Pot saute setting does tend to cook pretty hot, so you have to be careful and stir frequently!

      Reply

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*formerly the gourmet RD*

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