How To Cook Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Oddly enough, it can be really challenging to get the right texture when cooking boneless chicken breasts. They cook quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you dont cook them long enough they get a weird, rubber-like texture thats nearly impossible to chew, and if you cook them too long, their texture gets dry.
Here are some of the cook times I tried while perfecting this method:
- 8 minutes High Pressure, 10 minutes Natural Pressure Release: Chicken was cooked through, but a little dry.
- 20 minutes high pressure, 10 minutes Natural Pressure Release: Chicken was cooked through, but dry.
- 1 minute High Pressure, 10 minutes Natural Release: Chicken was under-cooked and still pink in the middle.
- 4 minutes High Pressure, 10 minutes Natural Release: This works when you need to cook the chicken directly in a sauce on the bottom of the pot. I use this timing for pot-in-pot cooking, and it works well when you need to cook two items at once, but its not quite as perfect texture-wise as the method below.
Some things to keep in mind when cooking chicken:
- If your boneless chicken breast winds up with a weird, rubbery texture, it probably means that you need to cook it longer. In general, the Instant Pot does better with longer cook times for meat.
- With other meats youll want to let the pressure naturally release, but Ive found that I get juicier chicken breasts when I quickly release the pressure.
What Happens If You Pressure Cook Without Liquid
Pressure cookers have come a long way in recent years, with many models now featuringliquid cooking contents. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you dont want your Pressure Cooker to burst into flames or give out on you while cooking!
First, make sure that the pressure cooker has an automatic shut off feature this will ensure that it shuts off if the pressure gets too high. Additionally, be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully when setting up your pressure cooker they may tell you not to add liquid to your pot until after the machine has reached its set pressure
. Finally, always take care when using any type of stovetoppressure cooker these devices can get very hot and could easily cause burns if youre not careful!
Can You Pressure Cook With Sauce Instead Of Water
There are a few things you should do before pressure cooking meat.
Season your meat with salt, pepper, and aromatics . This will help to create a more tender texture and flavor.
In addition, use a ratio of 10:1 lean to lean or 1:1 fat to fat when cooking pressure cooked meats. This will allow the proteins in the meat to cook evenly and properly.
Finally, make sure that your pot is heated up fully before starting the pressure cooker. Hotpots vs. pressure cookers can vary in how quickly they heat up so its important to check on the pressure cooker at least once per hour!
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How Long To Cook Chicken Breast On Grill
The secret to cooking chicken breasts on the grill is the marinade, says Mendelsohn. She suggests getting fat from oil or yogurt, acid from vinegar or citrus fruit, and flavor from herbs and spices. Preheat the grill to 400 F. Use a grill brush to remove any residue. Oil the grates too, to prevent sticking.
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. For boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooking time is about five to six minutes per side, says Robinson. He suggests cooking chicken breast over direct heat until 165 F and using an instant thermometer, says Robinson.
Related: 7 Easy Marinades for Chicken
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Video
Im not going to lie the instant pot scared me for a while. I got it as a gift and left it in the box for a few weeks because I was too nervous to break it open.
I dont know if its the high pressure or the fact that you cant really see whats going on in the pot but it is intimidating!
When I finally got the courage to fire up the instant pot, I figured Id ease into it with something simple like shredded chicken. Cant mess that up, right? Especially when you only need 4 ingredients!
P.S. If youre an instant pot newbie this Instant Pot Potato Soup is another super easy recipe!
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What Size Instant Pot Can I Use
Thats the great thing, you can use any size. This will work for 3 quart, 5 quart, 6 quart or 8 quart. I have an 6 quart Instant Pot. With the smaller Instant Pots you may need to cook less chicken breasts at a time because you want to make sure they are in a single layer. Dont pile up the breasts, this could result in undercooked chicken.
Rustic Chicken & Potatoes Stew
Dont you love a good one-pot meal and with the Instant Pot, you can make this tasty and rustic meal of chicken and potatoes with minimal cleanup. Plus, cooking the potatoes and chicken at the same time allows for the flavors of the poultry, leeks and vegetables to infuse the spuds, while the starch in them thickens the broth and makes it rich and hearty. Recipe on our blog here.
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Reasons To Love This Instant Pot Chicken Breast:
Tips For Making Chicken In Instant Pot
Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Check Chicken Breasts Internal Temperature
First, place the chicken breast on a chopping board.
Then, were going to check the chickens internal temperature at its thickest part with an accurate food thermometer.
*Note: The USDA recommends 165°F as the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken.
*Pro Tip: If the chickens temperature is off by more than 10°F, quickly place the chicken breasts back in the Instant Pot. Close the lid, then let the residual heat in the Instant Pot cook the chicken breasts for 1 to 2 more minutes.
For reference, our single chicken breast experiment first recorded an internal temperature of 157°F . After resting for 3 minutes, the internal temperature jumped to 165°F .
With our double chicken breasts experiment , the chicken breasts first recorded an internal temperature of 156°F . After resting for 3 minutes, the internal temperature jumped to 165°F .
How To Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken:
I know that this is such an easy recipe that most of you probably dont need tips on how to make shredded chicken, but there are a few things that I think are key so Im going to drop some hints anyway!
Do with them what you will
- Make sure you add enough liquid. The liquid is what makes for a tender, flavorful shredded or pulled chicken. Broth adds so much more flavor than water, and more liquid = more moisture in your chicken!
- Season well. You dont want to go overboard, but keep in mind that meat is best seasoned during the cooking process and not after . You will drain most of the liquid afterward, so you will not be consuming the full amount of salt, etc. as is listed in the recipe.
- Breasts or thighs? You can use either boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, or throw some of each in all together! Thighs have a richer flavor, and breasts are leaner. You choose.
Also Check: How To Make Shredded Chicken In The Instant Pot
The Best Chicken Breast Seasonings
Before you pop the chicken breast into the Instant Pot to cook, season the chicken with one of these three delicious seasoning blends:
Italian seasoned chicken is the perfect choice for pasta night! Serve the chicken with marinara or Alfredo sauce over some penne or rotini. SO good!
The Chili Lime is great for tacos or serving with stir-fried bell peppers and rice, and the Ranch goes great with sheet pan veggies or even just a simple salad. There are so many ways to make great chicken breasts full of flavour in the Instant Pot just dont be afraid to get creative with your seasonings!
Tools Used To Make This Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links, which pay a referral fee to me at no additional cost to you. My full affiliate disclosure can be seen here.
- Instant Pot I am using a 6 quart
- Tongs are very helpful when placing the chicken in hot oil, and removing it after cooking. Just be sure and wash the tongs with hot soapy water before you handle the finished product to avoid cross-contamination.
- Trivet that comes with your Instant Pot
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Best Way To Shred Chicken
You can shred your chicken with forks or with a mixer.
With Forks: You can shred this chicken simply by pulling it apart with two forks. It will be super tender.
With a mixer: My favorite way to shred chicken is by using a mixer. I toss the cooked chicken into my KitchenAid Mixer with the paddle attachment and give it a few whirls. Thats all it takes!
Can you shred a raw chicken breast? You cant shred a raw chicken breast. Raw chicken is too tough to shred. Its best to shred the chicken when its warm right after being cooked.
Is it better to shred chicken hot or cold? Its best to shred chicken hot. When the chicken has finished cooking it will shred much easier than if the chicken is cold. You can shred chicken with 2 forks or use a stand or hand mixer to shred the chicken!
Ways To Use Cooked Chicken
The cooked chicken can be used in any recipe that calls for precooked chicken. Shred, slice, or cube it as needed, then use it however you like!
Tuck a few slices of chicken into a sourdough sandwich, or top a salad to make a light lunch. Toss cubed chicken into a soup or pasta dish. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce or hot sauce for sliders or tacos.
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Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Wondering how to make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot? Look no further! This easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes, and will easily become a meal-prep staple in your home.
Season with your favorite spices or sauce and youll be on your way to an easy and delicious meal!
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.
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Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
Need some Instant Pot recipes for those chicken breasts in the fridge? Check out this collection of user favorites. Whether you’re pressure cooking your way to a quick dinner or using the slow-cooker setting to have dinner ready at the end of a long day, these recipes can totally revamp the way you cook chicken breasts.
“This is a really great-tasting, easy main dish meal! I made it exactly as written, except for the time cooked. It actually only takes about half the seven hours to cook.
-peppermintkitty
This recipe was simple and incredibly delicious. As mentioned before, just start in the morning and when you get home you have perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken. Great for enchiladas, burritos, tacos or whatever!
-Victoria
“Very good! Next time I will follow the recipe and use low-sodium cream of chicken soup it was a bit on the salty side, but that was my fault. This is a keeper.”
-TheDancingCook
What Size Of Instant Pot Can I Use
Any 3 quart, 5 quart, 6 quart or 8 quart.
Same recipe. Same cooking time. Same water amount.
Just make sure chicken breasts fit in a single layer. If your Instant Pot is small and you want to cook large amount of breasts, do so in a few batches. Piling up chicken in a few layers will result in undercooked chicken.
Also note that larger pressure cooker takes longer to come to pressure. About 8-10 minutes.
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Why Make This Recipe
- its 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
Should I Add Seasoning To My Chicken
Chicken breasts in the instant pot can be customized to whatever dish you are planning to put them in. Mexican food? Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Italian dish? Add some Italian seasoning or garlic. Or consider topping them with a simple teriyaki sauce.
For simple, versatile, chicken breast that can be used in meal prep, salad, etc, just add some salt and pepper along with your chicken broth or water. You can also use different juices for your liquid for some added sweetness to the chicken.
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Does Pressure Cooking Chicken Longer Make Meat More Tender
Many people believe that pressure cooking chicken longer makes it more tender however, this is not always the case. Some people find that their chicken doesnt cook as long or does not hold as much flavor when cooked in pressure cooker.
There are many ways to make your chicken taste better, so you should experiment to see what works best for you.
Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe
This is my tried and true method for making Instant Pot chicken breasts that are tender, juicy and delicious!
This is my method for fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Ill report back in another post once I hack the frozen ones! They are a little tricker, in my opinion.
If you want to make something similar on the stovetop with a grill pan or cast iron skillet, see my other grilled chicken breasts recipe. It is one of my most popular recipes of all time!
If you want an oven baked chicken breast recipe, I have a fantastic recipe those too.
OR if you want more of a shredded chicken recipe, check out my Instant Pot shredded chicken method.
But back to these instant pot chicken breasts!
Its fun to get super creative and fancy in the kitchen sometimes. But simple and basic can also be delicious. I come back around to my most simple and basic recipes more often than not.
This particular recipe is such a great basic recipe to have on hand. These chicken breasts are great to enjoy with a couple simple side items as a simple meal.
Instant Pot chicken breasts are also a great diced up over pasta or salad. You can meal prep and make them ahead, and eat off them for a few days after.
I season these up in a pretty basic way, and it is very versatile.
You can change up the spices to suit your preference, though.
I brown the chicken on both sides to lock in as much juiciness as possible. And then I place them on a trivet to pressure cook them the rest of the way.
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Why Is My Instant Pot Chicken Breast Rubbery
There are several reasons why your Instant Pot chicken breast may be rubbery. One reason could be that the chicken was cooked too long, which can cause it to dry out and become rubbery. Another reason could be that the Instant Pot has not been properly sealed,
which may allow bacteria to grow and cause the bird to become rubbery. Finally, the Instant Pot may have been turned on too high, which can cause it to overheat and create a pressure build-up. If any of these factors are present, your chicken will likely become rubbery.
