04/20/2026
I finally tested out my new pressure cooker from and made chicken tikka as my first meal—and I have thoughts.
⏰ First, the biggest win: speed. It was so quick, which I love, especially on busy days. Everything came together much faster than my usual stovetop routine.
That said, I definitely had to adjust my cooking style. I’m so used to being at the stove—stirring, watching, layering flavors in real time—so moving everything to the countertop felt different. I also realized little habits I rely on, like straining meats early or managing aromas with my hood vent, aren’t as seamless with a pressure cooker.
The size is another thing—I used a 6-quart, which works well for smaller meals, but with a family like mine, I’m used to cooking in bigger batches. So that’s something I’ll need to plan around.
Texture-wise, I’m still learning. My chicken tikka came out a bit more watery than I wanted, and the cream didn’t fully emulsify into that rich, cohesive sauce you typically expect—it separated a bit. So I know I need to better understand liquid ratios and how much reduction happens (or doesn’t happen) in a pressure cooker.
But flavor? So good. 👏🏽
Overall, I think this is one of those tools that gets better the more you use it. Fast, efficient, and super convenient—but definitely a learning curve if you’re coming from traditional stovetop cooking like me.
🔗 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4ezHSK9
If you use a pressure cooker, drop your tips below—I’m all ears 👇🏽
