In the last couple years the Instant Pot shoсkingly climbed in favor with home cooks , praised for how it cuts down on prep time and keeps food tasty and good for you . This nifty kitchen tool has changed how people think of making dinner , letting us whip up meals quick even when we’rе super busy . One thing you can’t beat is chicken breast ; it’s easy to cook and you can make so many yummy dishes with it .
Chicken breast not only gives you lean protein but it soaks up spices and sauces nice , making it a go-to in kitchens everywhere . If you like sweet , spicy or just plain savory meals , there’s a chicken breast recipe waiting for you . Here we’ll share a bunch of simple and tasty chicken breast ideas just for the Instant Pot . Whether you’re new to pressure cooking or you think you know it all , these recipes will spark your creativity and get smiles from your family and friends .
Benefits of Cooking Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot
Cooking chicken breast in the Instant Pot gives you lots of good stuff : first off it stays moist and full of flavor bеtter than most other methods . The pressure locks in the juices so the meat comes out tender every time , not dry and chewy like oven chicken can get .
It also cuts down cooking times big , so what might take an hour in the oven can be done in under 20 minutes in the Instant Pot . That’s awesome for busy days when you still want something home-cooked without all the wait .
Plus the Instant Pot is multi-tasking magic , you can sauté , pressure cook , slow cook and even steam in one pot . So you can play with flavors and styles without hauling out a bunch of pans . Whether it’s a fast weeknight meal or a lazy weekend feast , it’s got your back .
Essential Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
To make great chicken breast dishes you’ll need some key stuff : start with good chicken breasts , fresh or properly thawed if they were frozen . Free-range or organic options often taste better and come from more humane farms .
You’ll also want low-sodium chicken broth for depth , plus veggies for color and nutrition . Spices and herbs like garlic , onion , thyme or rosemary really pump up the taste .
If you’re watching sodium you can swap in low-salt broth or fresh herbs instead of dried ones . Try making sauces or marinades from scratch so you control what goes in them , keeping meals healthy and tasty .
Detailed Recipe Section
1. Classic Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder , salt and pepper
- Pour chicken broth into the Instant Pot
- Place the chicken breasts inside
- Seal and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
- Quick release the pressure and serve
Advice
Serve with steamed veggies or a fresh salad . Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days .
2. Instant Pot Chicken Breast with Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts , cubed
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ginger , minced
Directions
- Add water and teriyaki sauce to the pot
- Stir in cubed chicken and ginger
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with a natural release
- Serve over rice or veggies
Advice
Make your own teriyaki sauce for a fresher taste and less sugar . This one’s perfect for meal prep — pack it in containers for easy lunches .
3. Instant Pot Chicken Breast with Lemon and Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Place chicken breasts in the pot
- Add broth , lemon juice , thyme , salt and pepper
- Seal and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
- Quick release and top with fresh herbs
Advice
Goes great with roasted veggies or a quinoa salad . Use leftovers in wraps or cold salads for lunch .
4. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup water
Directions
- Mix BBQ sauce and water in the pot
- Add chicken breasts and coat them
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with quick release
- Shred and serve on buns or with sides
Advice
Use your favorite sauce or try making your own . BBQ chicken salad is a fun way to use extra meat .
5. Instant Pot Chicken Breast with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion , diced
Directions
- Place onion and chicken in the pot
- Pour in soup and broth
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with quick release
- Serve hot over rice or pasta
Advice
Stir in fresh spinach or peas right at the end for extra vitamins . Leftovers keep well for three days .
6. Instant Pot Chicken Breast Fajitas
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts , sliced
- 2 bell peppers , sliced
- 1 onion , sliced
- 1 teaspoon fajita seasoning
- ½ cup chicken broth
Directions
- Sauté onions and peppers in the pot
- Add chicken , seasoning and broth
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with natural release
- Serve in tortillas with toppings
Advice
Top with sour cream or avocado . Leftovers are great in rice bowls or wraps .
7. Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
Directions
- Place chicken , rice , broth and veggies in the pot
- Seal and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
- Natural release for 10 minutes , then quick release
- Fluff rice and serve
Advice
Add more or less seasoning based on your taste . You can swap rice for quinoa or other grains .
Serving Suggestions
Pair your chicken with salads or roasted veggies for a full meal . Some ideas :
- Fresh salads with seasonal veggies and a light vinaigrette
- Steamed or roasted broccoli , asparagus or carrots
- Whole grains like quinoa , brown rice or couscous
A sprinkle of fresh herbs , lemon wedges or a drizzle of sauce can really class things up . Make batches of these meals ahead of time and portion them out for easy lunches or dinners all week .
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
- Adjust time by thickness: Thicker breasts need more time ; thinner ones need less . Use a meat thermometer to hit 165°F internally .
- Rest your meat: Let cooked chicken rest a few minutes before slicing so it stays juicy .
- Stay safe: Always check the seal and never open the lid if it’s still pressurized . Follow the manual for your model .
FAQs
How long to cook chicken breasts in Instant Pot?
Usually 8–15 minutes , depending on thickness and if they’re fresh or frozen .
Can I overcook chicken in the Instant Pot?
Yes , it can dry out . Watch your times and use quick or natural release to avoid that .
What if chicken isn’t cooked through?
Pop it back in the pot and cook 3–5 more minutes under pressure .
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yep , just add 5–10 minutes to the cooking time depending on how thick they are .
Can I stack chicken breasts?
It’s possible but you might get uneven cooking . Lay them flat if you can for best results .
chicken breast recipes instant pot
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot
- 1 cutting board
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 tongs
Ingredients
- 4 breasts boneless, skinless chicken About 1.5 pounds total.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic Minced.
- ½ cup lemon juice Juice of 2 lemons.
- 1 lemon zest Zest of 1 lemon.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- to taste fresh parsley chopped For garnish.
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Set your Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode. Once hot, add the olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pot and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
- Pour in the lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to 'Sealing.' Select 'Pressure Cook' on high for 8 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then switch the valve to 'Venting' to release any remaining steam.
- Open the lid and check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Optional: You can thicken the sauce in the Instant Pot by setting the pot back to 'Sauté' mode and simmering for a few minutes. Stir frequently.
- Slice the chicken and serve it drizzled with the cooking liquid, garnished with fresh parsley.
