Instant Pot Chicken

The Best, Basic Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe

Versatile and simple, my Instant Pot chicken breast recipe results in super tender, moist and flavorful chicken breasts in about 20 minutes! You can use the lightly seasoned chicken breasts as the base of a straightforward, healthy, protein-packed meal. Or, use my recipe as your go-to chicken breast recipe for weekend meal prepping, since the cooked chicken breasts keep beautifully in the fridge for days. I use Instant Pot chicken to bulk up lunch salads and sandwiches, or to make easy weeknight dinners even faster. For another quick, delicious weeknight chicken, try shredded chicken or air fryer chicken too! 

Ingredients For Simple Instant Pot Chicken Breast 

You only need three basic ingredients for making the best, basic Instant Pot chicken recipe ever. 

• Chicken breast: My Instant Pot chicken recipe works with both fresh and frozen breasts. Frozen chicken breasts will just need slightly longer cook time. I’ve got all the cook times for you in the recipe at the bottom of this post! 
• Herbs: I usually use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, basil and a pinch of brown sugar, but the herbs you use can be any mix of simple dried herbs that you have in the cupboard and love. Even just oregano or just Italian seasoning would work. 
• Chicken stock: So that the chicken stays juicy! Plus it adds extra chicken-y flavor.

How To Cook Chicken Breast in an Instant Pot

Find the full, detailed instructions in the recipe card below. 

1. Pour in chicken stock.
2. Put the chicken breast into the Instant Pot.  
3. Close the lid and put the vent in the closed position.
4. Cook on high for 10 minutes. 
5. Wait for the pressure to release naturally, OR *carefully* move the vent a little at a time for a quick release. 
6. It’s a good idea to confirm doneness with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken breast is done at 165°F. 

How To Use Frozen Chicken Breasts

Yep! One of the best things about this Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is that it works just as well with frozen chicken breasts as it does with thawed. For frozen chicken breasts, increase the cook time to 15 minutes on high, instead of 10. Also, be sure to separate the frozen chicken breasts before you season them so they get cooked from all sides, and know that with frozen chicken breasts, the pot may take longer to come to pressure. 

Tips For The Best Instant Pot Chicken

• Don’t skip the seasoning. Boneless skinless chicken breast is a great thing, but it does need salt. Herbs make it even better! 
• Try using a little white wine in place of some of the stock. One of our readers suggested this, and I LOVE it! Yum. 
• DO consider the size of the chicken breasts. If they’re huge AND frozen, you may need to increase the cook time. If they’re small and fresh, reduce it. 
• If you’re new to using an Instant Pot, expect a bit of trial and error as you get to know how it works. It’s not hard! Just a new skill. 

Tools You’ll Need

• Instant Pot with trivet insert
• Mixing bowl
• Instant read thermometer

Basic Recipes FTW 

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