The Best Instant Pot Chicken Breast + Video

If you’re looking for the best and easiest way to cook chicken breast in the Instant Pot, you’re going to be soooo happy you landed on this post.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen perfecting the PERFECT Instant Pot chicken breast recipe to share with all of you. I know perfect when I see (or should I say taste) it and

… yeap, this is it.

This recipe might be perfect, but it’s also flexible (part of its perfection) – you can skip one step if you’re short on time, or you can swap one ingredient for another for a different flavour.

Table of Contents

No matter what you change in this recipe, the technique produces a chicken breast that is full of flavour, moist and tender.

Make these for supper tonight or whip up a big batch to store in the fridge for your weekly meal prep or to have at the ready for super quick meal solutions.

Why You’ll ♡ This

• it’s made with simple pantry staples and budget friendly.
• ready in less than 20 minutes.
• great for meal prep and freezer friendly.
• Diet trends – Suitable for Gluten free, Keto, Paleo and Whole 30 diets, or any diet with a focus on lean proteins and unprocessed foods.

Tools Needed

Ready to learn how to make chicken breast instant pot? Gather up the ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

Here are 7 easy steps to the perfect juicy meat. I have included many potential modifications in the ‘tips and tricks’ section below this one.

1. In a mixing bowl, combine Italian seasoning, paprika, coriander, ginger, garlic, salt {<= amazing salt), pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 2 tbsp chicken broth to create a paste. (Note: if your chicken breasts are thicker than pictured, you will need to increase the seasonings so they are fully coated.)
2. Put meat in the bowl and coat fillets in the paste.
3. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn it on the sauté setting. Brown chicken breasts on each side (about 2 mins each side). Remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
4. Add the rest of the broth to the Instant Pot, and scrape any bits that were stuck to the bottom of the pot from frying.
5. Insert trivet and add chicken fillets to the top of the trivet.
6. Close pot, set valve to sealing, select the pressure cook or manual button (dependent upon IP model), high pressure, and set the timer to 5 minutes.
7. Let the steam release naturally for about 8 minutes (10 minutes for thicker chicken breasts) before quick releasing then opening and removing the chicken with your tongs.

There you have it, folks. So easy to make and soooo good.

Recipe Tips

I have sooooo much good info to share about this recipe thanks to my ‘must make this the best recipe ever’ attitude. (Okay, and also my slight Instant Pot obsession.)

• Tip 1. Season them to your liking. The spices and herbs given in the recipe are just an idea. Add more to your taste or change them altogether. (Good additions include BBQ sauce, salsa, etc.). You might also like this Homemade Poultry Seasoning.
• Tip 2. Change the cooking liquid for a different flavour. In addition to changing the seasoning, try using different cooking liquids. Instead of broth, you can use water, orange juice, pineapple juice, etc.

• Tip 3. The browning step can be skipped if necessary. Browning the chicken adds a lot of lovely flavour to the end dish – but if you are short on time or not too worried about this, then skip it.
• Tip 4. Let the pressure release naturally. Your meat may smell amazing, but don’t be tempted to do a quick release. A natural release keeps the chicken moist, and it also continues the cooking process. (If you do a quick release, you will have to increase the time under pressure.)

• Tip 5. Pressure cooker chicken breasts can be made for a crowd. 5 guests coming over for supper tonight? No problem – you can cook loads of chicken breast fillets in the Instant Pot. Just be sure not to add chicken over the ‘max fill line’ and add extra cook time. (15 mins cook time should take care of about 2.2kg / 5lbs of chicken.)
• Tip 6. Don’t throw away the cooking liquid at the end. You’ve created extra-flavourful broth – don’t let it go to waste. Use it as a base for stews, soups, etc.
• Ps I know there is an Instant Pot poultry setting but for this recipe, I prefer to use the manual/pressure cook setting.

Prep Ahead And Storage

Folks, cooking up these is just the thing for meal prep and prepping ahead. 

Prep Ahead – The fillets can be seasoned and marinated a day before hand.

Store – Store the cooked meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below for how to freeze this.

• Let the meat cool down then, wrap them in plastic wrap and transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Meal Prep Ideas

Taking the time to meal prep at the beginning of the week is a great way to save time and easily provide healthy, wholesome and tasty lunches throughout the week.

And juicy Chicken Breast really is the ideal meal prep ingredient. It is sooooo is fast and easy to make up a batch to use for meal prep at the beginning of the week. My absolute #1 go-to meal prep combination could not be more simple. Here is how I make it:

• slice the chicken.
• add salad greens and a handful of whatever veggies I happen to have (tomatoes, radishes, red peppers, cucumber).
• toss in a peeled hard-boiled egg.
• pack with a cup of salad dressing or non-fat yoghurt.
• If you make pressure cooker shredded chicken breasts then you can add this to wraps, sandwiches and tacos.

Meal Plan Ideas

You really can pair this Instapot chicken with just about anything to create a wide variety of meals that taste amaaaaaazing and are good for you too. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Instant Pot chicken and rice: Make this easy Instant Pot brown rice for a quick side).
• Instant Pot chicken and potatoes: How about a little potato soup made in the Instant Pot on the side?
• In lettuce wraps: Try Instant Pot shredded chicken in these Spicy Yoghurt Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
• In a salad: Serve sliced meat over a bed of mixed greens and whatever toppings you desire. I served mine with pomegranate seeds and chilli oil (olive oil and a squeeze of lemon/lime is another good choice). The perfect healthy meal.

FAQs

How Long To Cook Chicken Breast In Instant Pot

Adjust cook time based on the size of chicken breasts.

• Fillets 6oz (170g) will need 5 minutes. Fillets used in this recipe were 4-4.5 cm thick.
• Slightly larger fillets of about 8oz (225g) will need 6-7 minutes.

What To Do If Your Meat is Undercooked

If your fillets are undercooked, then simply put them back in the pot and cook for another 2 – 4 minutes. Always check their temperature before eating.

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Breast With Gravy

Making gravy in the Instant Pot is soooooooo easy. Cook the meat, as usual, remove them, press cancel and then press the saute button. Simmer the cooking liquid whilst you make a paste of cornstarch and water.

Then add in the paste, mix and simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens into a lush gravy. And there you have it. Easy peasy right?

Can I Cook Them With Salsa?

Yes. Simply top the meat with salsa before cooking and you are good to go.

Instant Pot Poached Chicken

You can make Pressure cooker poached chicken by cooking the chicken breasts directly in the cooking liquid. Feel free to use stock, apple juice or pineapple juice or even plain water if you prefer.

Marinade Ideas

Looking for some easy marinade recipes? Then check out these 7 Chicken Marinades .

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

• Instant Pot Shredded Chicken.
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs.
• Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
• Instant Pot Chicken Curry.
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• The Ultimate List of Instant Pot Chicken Recipes – for all things chicken.
• Or turkey lovers can try this Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy

Weight Watchers Points

If you replace the 1 tbsp olive oil used for frying with a calorie-controlled cooking spray, these Skinless Chicken Breasts have 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints per serving!

Check out these amaaaaaazing Healthy Chicken Meal Prep Bowls that each contains ZERO Blue Plan SmartPoints. So good!

Reader Feedback

• Daniel said: ‘It really is some of the best I have had.’
• Amy suggested cooking directly in the stock for great shredded chicken. ‘I sliced the breast in half horizontally and put the meat directly in the liquid. Used maybe 1.5 cups water? 5 min again, all natural release.’

I love hearing your feedback. Please let me know how you like this recipe.

Recipe Video

Instant Pot Recipe Binder

This awesome 30-page Instant Pot Recipe Binder Printable gives you everything you need and all in one place. It contains all sorts of easy-to-use tools and helpful information to give you a truly organized and easily accessible Instant Pot recipe collection. It Includes:

• 1 Instant Pot Recipes Binder Cover
• 1 Instant Pot Recipe Page
• 9 Recipe Category Cover Pages (mains, appetizers, desserts, sides, drinks, 15-minute meals, pantry recipes, frugal and a blank page for you to customize)
• 7 Specialty Category Cover Pages (low carb, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, keto, Weight Watchers, gluten free)
• 1 Kitchen Conversion Sheet
• 3 Inventory Sheets (pantry, fridge, freezer)
• 2 Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheets
• 2 Pre-Filled Instant Pot recipes (that can be made right away!)
• 1 Notes and Tips Page

Thank you for reading my IP Chicken Breast recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Ge The Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe:

Originally published Jan 2018.