Cooking chicken in a pressure cooker isn’t as intuitive as some think. Before you break out your pot, take a peak at our tips for success on how to cook chicken breasts in an Instant Pot so you can have tender chicken ready for any meal.
By the way, here’s what those buttons on your Instant Pot actually mean.
How to Cook Chicken in an Instant Pot
Ingredients:
- Fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth (add more if using a larger pot)
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
Step 1: Season your chicken
Season your chicken breasts well with salt and pepper, then lightly spray them with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil. Pour 1 cup chicken stock in the metal pot inside your Instant Pot and place the chicken breasts inside the pot. Secure the lid and ensure the vent is set to sealing.
Step 2: Cook it up
Next, select Pressure Cook (high) and set time to 6 minutes using the +/- keys. The pot will take roughly 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure. Listen for the beep, indicating when the pressure cooking begins.
Step 3: Let them rest
Once the cook time has completed, allow your pot to naturally release for 5 minutes. Then use the safety precautions to perform a quick release for the remaining pressure. Remove chicken breasts from the pot using tongs and allow them to rest for 10 minutes prior to chopping or shredding for your favorite recipes.
What Are Some Flavor Ideas for Instant Pot Chicken?
Want to spice things up? Try some of these suggestions to quickly transform a plain chicken breast:
- Change up the liquid: skip the chicken stock and opt for beer, apple juice or pineapple juice instead.
- Add some Asian flair: add a tablespoon of miso paste and a splash of soy sauce to the chicken stock.
- Go for Mexican flavors: add in 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder and finish off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the chicken stock.
- Make it Mediterranean: add 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and garlic powder to your stock.
- Be bold with Buffalo chicken flavor: embolden your chicken stock with 1/4 cup hot sauce or your favorite wing sauce, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon celery seed. Top finished chicken with blue cheese.
How Can I Use Instant Pot Chicken?
Now that you have cooked chicken, what can you do with all the meat? Try out some of our favorite recipes:
- Add to pasta: try this Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta or Chicken and Broccoli Shells.
- Whip up enchiladas: cook this fun Black Bean and Chicken Enchilada Lasagna or this easy enchilada bake.
- Serve up soup: opt for this favorite Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup (and save time by using precooked chicken).
- Bring pizzaz to your pizza; chicken Caesar it, or go wild with Barbecued Chicken Pizza or Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
- Top a leafy salad: add Instant Pot cooked chicken to any of your favorite salad recipes, like this contest-winning BLT Chicken Salad.
- Love your chicken salad: if you’re a fan of creamy chicken salads for lunch, check out our best chicken salad recipes.
- Simplify your sandwiches: add to this Rotisserie Chicken Panini or kick it up with Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wraps, using your conveniently cooked chicken.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Chicken?
Absolutely! It’s 5 p.m. and you forgot to defrost the chicken for dinner. No sweat! Check out our complete guide on How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot to get started.
Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
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Pressure Cooker Celebration Brussels Sprouts
This recipe hits all the flavor points and makes a fantastic Thanksgiving or Christmas side. Plus, you've got to love a dish that requires minimal effort and doesn't take up oven space. You can always omit the bacon if you need a vegetarian option. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ready for something more advanced? These Instant Pot tricks aren't in the user's manual.
Pressure-Cooker Apple Balsamic Chicken
I just love the sweet and tart flavor that balsamic vinegar gives to this easy dish. After cooking in the pressure cooker for just a few minutes, the chicken thighs are tender and flavorful. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Red Potatoes
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the pressure cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Pressure Cooker Garlic-Dill Deviled Eggs
Easter isn't complete without deviled eggs. I like to experiment with my recipes, and was pleasantly pleased with how the fresh dill really perked up the flavor of these irresistible appetizers. —Kami Horch, Frankfort, Maine
Pressure-Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
This warm breakfast cereal made in the pressure cooker is a great way to add some veggies in the morning and keep a healthy diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with ground walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pressure-Cooker Black Bean Chicken Nachos
One of my favorite local restaurants, Zeppelins, has the best chicken nachos. Its famous dish inspired me to create my own, with the added convenience of using the pressure cooker. I recommend fresh cilantro because it makes the dish pop with flavor. —Natalie Hess, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Pressure-Cooker Cherry & Spice Rice Pudding
I live in Traverse City, which calls itself the cherry capital of the world. What better way to celebrate our wonderful orchards than by using plump, tart dried cherries in my favorite desserts? This pressure-cooked rice pudding recipe always turns out wonderful. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
Pressure Cooker Truly Tasty Turnip Greens
These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make the recipe your own. .—Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina
Pressure-Cooker Mexican Beef Soup
My family loves this stew, and I'm happy to make it since it's so simple! You can serve it with corn bread instead of corn chips to make for an even more filling meal. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Pressure-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
My husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left for cooking! It's really nice to be able to come into the house at night and have dinner ready in just a few minutes. —Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania
Pressure-Cooker Char Siu Pork
I based this juicy pork on Asian influence in Hawaii. It's tasty as is, in a bun or over rice. Use leftovers with fried rice, ramen and salads. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Pressure-Cooker Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
There's nothing like a bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning, and my spiced version works in a pressure cooker. Store leftovers in the fridge. —Jordan Mason, Brookville, Pennsylvania
Pressure-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms
Here's a terrific healthy addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California
Pressure Cooker Winter Fruit Compote
You can make this colorful and easy fruit relish up to a week in advance. It's an outstanding accompaniment to turkey, chicken or pork throughout the holiday season. —Esther Chesney , Carthage, Missouri
Pressure-Cooker Lentil Pumpkin Soup
Plenty of herbs and spices brighten up my hearty pumpkin soup. It?s just the thing we need on nippy days and nights. —Laura Magee, Houlton, WI
Pressure-Cooker Cranberry Apple Red Cabbage
When I was looking for something new, I started playing with flavors and came up with this very tasty dish. My German grandmother would be impressed, I think! The colorful side dish is just right with pork. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Pressure-Cooker Apple-Cranberry Grains
These assorted pressure-cooker grains are perfect together. A hearty breakfast is ready fast in the morning, making this healthy recipe a favorite in my home. —Sherisse Dawe, Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
The post How to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Instant Pot appeared first on Taste of Home.
Wendy Jo Peterson, MS, RDN