How To Cook Instant Chicken
The first thing youll want to do is defrost the chicken breast in the refrigerator overnight. Then, youll drain the water from the chicken breast and pat it dry with a paper towel. Next, place it in the Instant Pot, add a cup of water, and use the sauté function to bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the Instant Pot, and cook for 3 hours. Once the chicken breast is done, remove it from the Instant Pot and season it with salt and pepper. Its good to do a little taste test before serving, but its okay if the chicken is still slightly pink.
Beer Can Chicken & Rice Bowls
Whats beer got to do with it? If youve ever made a beer can chicken, standing in the oven, then you probably know what this recipe is talking about. The good news? You dont have to stick a beer can in a chicken! Its also totally safe to stick it in your Instant Pot instead. Perhaps the cherry on top with this dish is the bacon tossed throughout. Mmm bacon! Recipe from Cook Fast, Eat Well.
Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Today, Im going to show you how to make perfectly juicy boneless chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, to make the process as easy as possible. Theyre great to have on hand when you want to add protein to a salad or stir fry.
Since I cook so many vegetarian entrees, its nice to have pre-cooked chicken on hand when my husband wants some extra protein added to his portion.
If youre like me, and dont love handling raw meat, youll probably love the Instant Pot as much as do because you barely have to touch the chicken to cook it.
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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!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
These Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts are always moist, tender and flavorful! These pressure cooker chicken breasts cook perfectly in minutes from fresh or frozen. Serve your honey garlic instant pot chicken breast with rice or quinoa and veggies for a complete, quick dinner! Recipe from Kristines Kitchen Blog.
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Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast
Learn how to make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot pressure cooker in just 10 minutes — fresh or frozen! This Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is fast and easy.
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Some of my favorite staples to make ahead are large batches of shredded chicken, barbacoa beef, or pulled pork. I used to make shredded chicken in the slow cooker, but then I discovered that its so much faster to make Instant Pot shredded chicken breast. Its become my favorite healthy Instant Pot recipe. And while thats my pressure cooker of choice, you can make this pressure cooker shredded chicken recipe using other pressure cooker brands, too.
I totally adore this method now. If youre on the fence about pressure cooking chicken, now is the time to try it. The prep is as care-free as a slow cooker, but done in less than 15 minutes. And this quick and easy Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is not only simple, its also versatile for any use.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot
While this tutorial focuses on cooking fresh chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, you can easily achieve the same results with frozen chicken breasts using this technique. Just make sure to add 5 additional minutes of cooking time when using frozen chicken breasts. And be sure the breasts are separated before cooking. For more details, learn step-by-step how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot.
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Instant Pot Chicken Ingredients:
To make this Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken: I tested this recipe using boneless chicken breasts and boneless chicken thighs either fresh or frozen. You are welcome to use bone-in chicken, but the cooking time may vary slightly.
- Chicken broth : Which we will need to keep the chicken nice and moist, and also prevent a burn warning on the Instant Pot. I recommend using a cup of chicken or vegetable broth if you happen to have some on hand, to add extra flavor. Or if not, plain water will work just fine too.
- Seasonings: I typically use a simple mixture of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. But see below for alternatives.
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.
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How To Make Shredded Chicken In The Instant Pot
This section shows how to cook chicen breast in the Instant Pot for making shredded chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
TIP: Pour the broth around the chicken, not over it. This way, theres enough liquid for the Instant Pot, but you wont wash off the seasonings.
Frozen Chicken Breasts With Sauce
Just one of the quick and easy chicken recipes we eat probably a few times a week. You can vary it up with different sauces of your choice. Teriyaki or hot sauce are other choices. That way you can make this more often than not and not get bored at all.
Does frozen chicken take longer in Instant Pot?
The only real difference in time is how long it takes to come to pressure initially. Beyond that the only variation in cook time would be depending on how thick your pieces are. I always recommend purchasing medium sizes vs. very thick that can dry out on the outer edges by the time the inside is safely cooked.
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Chicken Breast Dishes To Make In The Instant Pot
Before we get into our top recipes, we wanted to give you a quick rundown of using boneless chicken breast in the Instant Pot and what it works best for:
- Cook it whole with your favourite seasoning and spices. Most people either cook the chicken breast in the broth or on top of a trivet. Then slice it or serve it whole.
- Shredded chicken is a fantastic thing to use your Instant Pot for. Simply cook the chicken breasts whole, then shred and store. You can add a little of the cooking broth to the shredded chicken to keep it moist.
- Diced chicken breast can be used in curries, stews, soups, chicken and rice or potato dishes and so on.
- Sliced chicken breast can be added to Instant Pot pasta and risotto dishes. While the bigger slices or whole fillets can be partially cooked in the pressure cooker and then finished in the oven or under the grill with melted cheese or sauce.
Here are some of our favourite Instant Pot chicken breast recipes. Want more? Find all of our chicken recipes here.
Chicken Thigh Instant Pot Cook Times
BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGHS
Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 6 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 3-ounce boneless chicken thighs
Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 12 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 3-ounce boneless chicken thighs
BONE-IN CHICKEN THIGHS
Fresh Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- 10 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 6-ounce bone-in chicken thighs
Frozen Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- 15 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 6-ounce bone-in chicken thighs
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Why This Recipe Is So Good
- An Instant Pot makes cooking perfectly tender and seasoned chicken breast ridiculously easy. Just season your chicken, pour in some broth and cook.
- We love that this recipe uses frozen chicken breasts no thawing needed! Theres almost no prep when it comes to cooking your chicken breasts in an Instant Pot.
- This method is perfect for cooking chicken for dinner, but also for recipes that require cooked chicken. We love it for meal prep, too!
How To Determine Weight
If you want to be exact, you can use a kitchen scale to measure the size of chicken breasts or divide the number of ounces in your package of chicken breasts by how many chicken breasts are in the package.
For example, if you have a package of 4 chicken breasts that weighs 1.5 pounds, or 24 ounces, you would divide 24 by 4, resulting in 6. That means each chicken breast weighs about 6 ounces, and you would set the cooking time based on 6-ounce chicken breasts.
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What Should I Serve With Chicken Breast
I havent made anything that didnt go well with these. You can go healthy with broccoli and brown rice or give the kids what they want with some macaroni and cheese. If you want something with no prep I often times will buy one of those ready made bagged salads at the store. Paired with some baked rolls in the bakery section and done.
Saving leftover chicken: You always want to make sure you store inside airtight bags, or containers. Suck all the air out so it doesnt dry out at all while being stored in the refrigerator. When you reheat it later on I would slice it in half lengthwise. This way it will heat up evenly without dry it out.
Brush more sauce over the top liberally and microwave for about 1 minute or warmed all the way to the middle. You can dice it up and toss it with sauce too and that will take less time. Add it into some fried rice for a heartier meal the next day. Then you get two meals for the price of one essentially.
Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already havetwinsies!
Wild Rice Chicken Soup Instant Pot
There is nothing better than this creamy, rich wild rice chicken soup made in the instant pot. It was one of the first things I ever made in my instant pot and I was hooked from then on.
I didnt have much experience with wild rice before that but then I learned it has a lot of great health benefits. But most of all its really pretty. And the flavor of this soup, wow, its like the instant pot infuses flavor into food!
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Storing Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast
Storing: This chicken will last for 4 days in your refrigerator in an airtight container. We like to store it with the broth leftover from cooking to keep the chicken moist.
Freezing: I have frozen this shredded chicken in small bags or containers. When ready to defrost, simply take it out the night before and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight or simply heat from frozen in the microwave or in a pan. The chicken should last 2-3 months in the freezer.
What Can You Do If You Dont Have Time To Cook
we all have the same dilemma, you wish you can get instant gratification, but somehow have to let it wait till tomorrow. dont panic, because our approach can help you overcome your dilemma.
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Hey guys, in this video, Im going to show you how to crush a block with a kettlebell. Dont worry, its really simple.: How to Crush a Block: You can use a kettlebell to crush a brick or a block. The goal is to use the high force of the swing to push and smash the brick.
Hi guys, in this video, Im going to show you how to carry a medicine ball. Dont worry, its really simple.[
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How To Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker:
The process couldnt be easier. Thats one of the reasons why this recipe is included on my list of the best Instant Pot recipes for beginners!
You simply place your frozen breasts in the Instant Pot, along with one cup of water . Lock the lid and place the vent in the sealed position.
Use the Manual/Pressure Cook setting and select a 10-minute cook time.
While the chicken is cooking, you can prep any other ingredients you need for your meal.
After the cook time is finished, allow a natural pressure release. Natural releases help the meat have better texture.
When the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, voila! Your chicken is ready!
Frozen Or Fresh Chicken
You can cook fresh or frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot for this Instant Pot shredded chicken! Believe it or not, chicken breasts turn out the same whether you pull them right out of the freezer or fresh chicken breasts.
The only difference is how you cook it and what your cook time is. Why would you ever use frozen chicken breast in the Instant Pot? Think of those nights when you get home and realize you havent planned dinner!
- For frozen chicken breasts: cook on high pressure for 18-20 minutes. While the frozen chicken breast is cooking, you prepare a side and a sauce for your chicken and BOOM. 18 minutes later your chicken is ready to be chunked or shredded!
- For fresh chicken breasts: cook on high pressure for 8 minutes before shredding.
Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Salmon In Instant Pot
What Are Some Flavor Ideas For Instant Pot Chicken
Want to spice things up? Try some of these suggestions to quickly transform a plain chicken breast:
- Change up the liquid: skip the chicken stock and opt for beer, apple juice or pineapple juice instead.
- Add some Asian flair: add a tablespoon of miso paste and a splash of soy sauce to the chicken stock.
- Go for Mexican flavors: add in 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder and finish off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the chicken stock.
- Make it Mediterranean: add 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and garlic powder to your stock.
- Be bold with Buffalo chicken flavor: embolden your chicken stock with 1/4 cup hot sauce or your favorite wing sauce, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon celery seed. Top finished chicken with blue cheese.
Frozen Chicken Breast In Pressure Cooker
Yes you can use any brand of pot you might have at home. Want to use your Ninja Foodi instead? You can actually air fry the top to get it a bit crispy at the end if you do. Alternatively with this you could use our directions for air fryer frozen chicken breasts as well. They both turn out amazingly well.
Mealthy, Crockpot Express, they all work the same yall with high pressure and a natural release. Why is the last part important? Its a must so it stays moist in the middle. If you dont the juices will seep out in the quick release and the meat will be more dry for sure.
You can use chicken broth or water but the first obviously has more flavor to it. Season with your choice but salt and pepper is a must. I love Old Bay on just about everything too. Use what you like on top yall, I always say that.
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