In about 20 minutes, you can cook boneless skinless chicken breasts, even if they are frozen, and they will come out tender, juicy, and delicious! How is that possible? Just say hello to one of the best Instant Pot chicken recipes you can make at home.
The Best, Basic Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe
This Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is simple, flexible, and incredibly easy to make. In just around 20 minutes, you get super tender, moist, and flavorful chicken breasts. The lightly seasoned chicken can be used as the base for a quick and healthy meal. Sometimes a simple dinner of chicken breast and a fresh salad is exactly what you need.
You can also use this recipe as your regular weekly chicken breast meal prep recipe. If you like preparing meals ahead of time, this recipe is perfect for that. The cooked chicken breasts stay fresh in the refrigerator for about four days. During the week, you can use them in lunch salads, simple dinners, wraps, or even sandwiches.
Just take out your Instant Pot, and let’s start cooking! If you want another fast and tasty chicken dinner idea, you can also try air fryer chicken for busy weeknights.
Simple Ingredients For A Fast, Simple Chicken Breast Recipe
This recipe uses very simple ingredients. There is nothing fancy here, just basic kitchen staples to create the best Instant Pot chicken recipe.
You can use any dried herbs that you already have at home. Choose the ones you enjoy the most. Many people like Italian seasoning because it usually includes herbs like marjoram and parsley, which add extra flavor. But if you only have dried oregano in your pantry, that will work just fine too.
The Instant Pot will still cook the chicken perfectly, and you will be surprised by how easy it is to make chicken breasts using this method.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Chicken stock
- Boneless, skinless, chicken breast
- Italian seasoning, oregano, basil or thyme
- Garlic powder
- Brown sugar
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
Yes, You Can Use Frozen Chicken Breasts
Yes, you absolutely can! One of the best things about this Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is that it works perfectly with frozen chicken breasts as well as thawed ones.
This makes dinner preparation very quick and convenient. It’s also a great option when you want to start your weekly meal prep but forgot to thaw the chicken.
Just make sure the chicken breasts are separated before seasoning them. Also remember that when using frozen chicken breasts, the Instant Pot may take a little longer to reach pressure. Other than that, everything works the same and you’ll still get great results.
How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge? Cooked chicken can usually be stored safely in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days when kept in an airtight container.
How to Cook Chicken in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot chicken breast is another great reason to love the Instant Pot. Follow these simple steps:
- Place the trivet insert in the Instant Pot (you can skip it if you don’t have one) and pour in some chicken stock.
- Season the chicken breasts with the herbs and spices.
- Place the chicken in the pot. Close the lid and set the vent to the closed position.
- Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 15 minutes for frozen chicken.
- After cooking, you can either allow the pressure to release naturally or carefully turn the vent little by little for a quick release.
- To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer. If the internal temperature reads 165°, the chicken is ready.
Tools You’ll Need
- Instant Pot with trivet insert
- Mixing bowl
- Instant read thermometer
More Instant Pot Recipes We Love
When you combine the Instant Pot, you get one of the easiest and most reliable dinners possible. Sometimes you just want a simple meal that works every time and this is exactly that kind of recipe.
Here are a few of our favorite weeknight Instant Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Chicken Recipe
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Serves: 6
Calories: 234
In about 20 minutes, you can cook boneless skinless chicken breasts, even frozen ones and they’ll be tender, moist and delicious! How? Say hello to the best Instant Pot chicken recipe ever.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, (room temperature or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, oregano, basil or thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Method
- Line an Instant Pot with the trivet insert and pour the chicken stock into the base.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl. If you are using frozen chicken, make sure the breasts are separated. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper over the chicken, then toss well to coat.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the Instant Pot in a single layer. Secure the lid and set the vent to the closed position. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 15 minutes for frozen. The pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow the pressure to release naturally, or carefully move the vent a little at a time for a quick release. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F.
Nutrition Info
Calories234 | Protein43 g | Carbohydrates1 g| Total Fat5 g | Dietary Fiber0 g | Cholesterol138 mg | Sodium272 mg | Total Sugars1 g