The Best Instant Pot Chicken Breast + Video

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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.

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

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.

And like these awesome and easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs or this can be prepped ahead and saved for later Instant Pot Shredded Chicken this recipe that will be in weeknight dinner rotation as the whole family will love it.

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

Make these for dinner 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 Make This Recipe

• it’s made with simple pantry staples and budget friendly.
• ready in less than 20 minutes.
• can be made with fresh or frozen meat.
• Can be added to soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, lunchboxes and more.
• 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.

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

Ingredient Notes

You only need a few everyday ingredients to make this recipe.

• Fresh Chicken breast – This recipe calls for fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts. I prefer boneless chicken breasts because they take less time to cook and are easier to cut up for eating.
• Oil – use your favorite olive oil or others like canola oil or sunflower oil.
• Seasoning – the combination of Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, ginger, salt and pepper make an easy seasoning. Add more or less of each seasoning as you wish.
• Low sodium chicken broth – you need this for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts Instead?

You absolutely can cook frozen chicken breast instead. But the cooking time will be different as will the way you season these. Plus it is super important to make sure the meat is not all stuck together in one big mass otherwise they will not cook properly.

I have written up a whole post about how to cook Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts and checking that post out is your best bet.

Chicken Marinades

Like marinades, then you can flavor you meat with one of these 7 chicken marinades. There is something for everyone.

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

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 powder, 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 saute setting. Add chicken breasts and brown on each side (about 2 mins each side). Remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
4. Add the rest of the chicken 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 instant pot valve to sealing, select the pressure cook or manual button (dependent upon the Instant Pot model), high pressure, and set the timer to 5 minutes.
7. Let the pressure from the Instant Pot release naturally for about 8 minutes (10 minutes for thicker chicken breasts) before quick releasing then opening the instant pot lid and removing the chicken with your tongs.
8. Let chicken rest for a few minutes before before serving so the juices redistribute and you end up with juicy chicken.

Note: Cook time listed do not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, or for the pressure to release.

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

Recipe Tips

I have sooooo much good info to share about this delicious 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 meat 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 chicken stock – don’t let it go to waste. Use it as a base for stews, soups, etc.
• Tip 7. If the meat has not cooked properly after pressure cooking, simple cook them for a few more minutes using the saute setting.

• Tip 8. The final result will depend on the quality of the meat you add in so choose the best quality meat you can get hold off. Try different options from local butchers and grocery stores and see which works best.
• Tip 9. Stock up on meat when on sale
• Ps I know there is an Instant Pot poultry setting but for this recipe, I prefer to use the manual/pressure cook setting.

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast has reached at least 165F / 74C.

Delicious Variations

• Marinade the meat instead – you can use one of these 7 Chicken Marinades. or store bought ones like teriyaki sauce, honey and soy sauce, barbecue sauce etc.
• Add extra heat – a dash of hot sauce, chipotle, red pepper flakes or cayenne will add that little extra heat if you prefer.
• Spicy chicken – simply top the meat with spicy salsa just before you pressure cook them.

Prep Ahead And Storage

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.

FAQs

More Delicious Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

• Some quick easy recipes like Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast for when you forget to take these out before hand.
• Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is filling and comforting.
• Delicious Chicken tenders like these dump and go Instant Pot Chicken Tenders.
• And prep ahead Instant Pot Shredded Chicken to eat all week long.
• Instant Pot Chicken And Rice is great for weeknight dinners.
• This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is full of staples.
• These Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are fail proof every time.
• Mexican night staple Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
• This Instant Pot Chicken Curry is better than takeout.
• Easy Instant Pot Chicken Wings are a great snack for everyone.
• 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

Meal Plan Ideas And Serving 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 brown rice: Make this easy Instant Pot brown rice for a quick side).
• Instant Pot chicken and Mashed Potatoes: How about a little Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes on the side? Crispy baby potatoes would work well too.
• In lettuce wraps: Cut up the chicken and serve with some salsa and serve in some Instant Pot Lettuce Chicken Wraps.
• In a salad: Serve sliced meat over a bed of mixed greens, Instant Pot Broccoli 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.

Meal Prep Idea

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 ingredient. It is sooooo is fast and easy to make up a batch to use 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.

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

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.

Get The Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe:

Originally published Jan 2018.