Chicken Biryani in the Instant Pot®

In a zip-top bag, combine garlic, ginger, salt, cumin, turmeric, curry powder, paprika, and garam masala. Shake to mix. Reserve 1 teaspoon of spice mixture. Add crema to the bag and mix well. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. (8+ hours)

Turn on the Instant Pot® and select the Sauté function. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and the thinly shaved onions. Cook until the onions are browned and softened, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a small plate and set aside. (6 minutes)

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot. Carefully add the marinated chicken thighs along with the marinade. Sauté for about 2 minutes, then press Cancel to stop the Sauté function. (2 minutes)

Close and lock the Instant Pot® lid. Select the high-pressure setting and set the timer for 6 minutes. Allow 10-15 minutes for the pressure to build inside the pot. (6 minutes cook, 10-15 minutes pressure build)

Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully release the pressure using the quick-release method according to the manufacturer's instructions. This should take approximately 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. (5 minutes)

Add the basmati rice to the pot, distributing it evenly around the chicken thighs. Gently place the caramelized onions on top of the rice. Pour the coconut milk over the rice, ensuring that the rice is fully submerged. Close and lock the lid. Select the high-pressure setting again, and set the timer for 8 minutes. Allow 10-15 minutes for the pressure to build. (8 minutes cook, 10-15 minutes pressure build)

After the cooking cycle, allow the pressure to release naturally for 30 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure using the quick-release method, which should take about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. (30 minutes natural release, 5 minutes quick release)

Stir in the reserved teaspoon of spice mixture. Crumble the saffron threads evenly over the chicken and rice before serving. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.