How To Cook Chicken In An Instant Pot

Must Try

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

Traditionally, this dish takes hours to cook in the oven. Our Instant Pot version is ready in a fraction of the time and is made entirely in the pot hello, easy clean-up! The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the tomato sauce has the perfect smoky kick, thanks to the bacon.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

How Long Does It Take To Cook Frozen Chicken Breast

Cooking frozen chicken breast can take a few different approaches. One way is to simply place the frozen chicken in a preheated oven and bake it according to the manufacturers instructions. Another way is to cook the frozen chicken over medium-high heat in a saucepan or skillet until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Do You Not Overcook Chicken Wings

If you are looking to cook chicken wings evenly, there are a few things you can do to help avoid overcooking them.

First, make sure that your heat source is oil or butter rather than hot oil or butter.

Second, use a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time by half.

Finally, use a pair of tongs and gentle handling when cooking chicken wings to prevent them from sticking to the pan.

You May Like: What Does Burn Mean On Your Instant Pot

Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot

When using frozen chicken breasts, theres no need to thaw them ahead of time. I typically dont even use the trivet when cooking frozen chicken, as you can throw them in the bottom of the pot and theyll thaw as the pot heats up.

When I first got my Instant Pot, I didnt even add water to the pot when cooking frozen chicken they thaw and release moisture, so its not necessary, though adding a little bit helps it come to pressure faster. I typically do let the pressure naturally release when cooking frozen chicken, as it needs extra cooking time when compared to fresh.

I hope youll find this pressure cooking method works well when you need to prepare a batch of boneless chicken breasts, too!

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Recipe

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

Heres how I do it, I toss four frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts in, add water, seal it, close the vent, and set the pressure to high for 10 minutes. Then, after the 10 minutes, I quickly release the pressure and remove the chicken. Thats it! From frozen to tender, juicy, delicious, and almost like a miracle chicken in 10 minutes!

From that point, you can use your pressure cooker chicken any way that you desire. From serving it with side dishes to shredding it to use in all sorts of recipes. I like to do both!

Ive shared with you before how I like to make shredded chicken for the week to use in recipes using my slow cooker, I still do. Sometimes, Ill use the slow cooker and sometimes Ill use the pressure cooker and sometimes Ill just bake it in the oven. It depends on the mood Im in. Gosh at the possibilities!

Heres my pressure cooker chicken printable recipe card. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Air Fryer Combo 6 Qt

Why Cook Chicken In An Instant Pot

  • Its fast and easy!
  • It keeps chicken moist instead of drying it out because its cooked with liquid .
  • Makes meal prep super easy so you can prepare lots of chicken for a week of meals.
  • Its a hand-off cooking method, so you dont have to constantly check if its done.
  • You can cook frozen chicken fast, no thawing required.
  • An easy way to cook chicken to prep for shredding or dicing.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Frozen

I dont make wings really any other way now. If you want them with a little crispiness to them you can just pop them under the broiler. 4 minutes or so is perfect.

Instant Pot frozen chicken wings turn out fall off the bone delicious.

  • If you want a crispier skin you can throw them on a cookie sheet under your broiler for like 3 minutes and it will crisp them up well

This is what I did when we made these Instant Pot chicken legs. I also did this when making our pressure cooker beer can chicken.

Read Also: How To Make Sushi Rice Instant Pot

Other Instant Pot Stews You May Like

A super easy Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe with the most amazing Peruvian flavors! Super tender pull-apart beef in a delicious green sauce served over rice. A dream come true!

This Instant Pot Chili is perfect for either feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or freezing. In under an hour you have a big pot of nourishing, delicious chili con carne that makes everybody happy!

This Instant Pot lamb Stew is a beautiful blend of sweet, savory and citrus flavors. Pair it with a light salad and some crusty bread and you have an easy and impressive meal for any night of the week.

Juicy And Flavorful Chicken Ready In No Time

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot – The Right Way!

It’s no secret that rotisserie chicken is the key to making meal time easier. Save yourself time by adding leftover rotisserie chicken to meals throughout the week, or serve it all at once with some quick and easy side dishes for a meal that will feed the whole family. But before you head to the grocery store to pick up a rotisserie chicken, consider cooking a whole chicken yourself. This allows you to control the flavors and seasonings used on your chicken. The Instant Pot makes it so that you can cook a whole chicken in under an hour with only five minutes of prep work. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, plus more ways to use leftover chicken.

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot: Step-by-Step

Learn how to season, sear, and cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, based on Instant Pot® Lemon Rotisserie Chicken recipe.

Ingredients

  • Pat the chicken dry and insert lemon wedges inside the cavity.
  • Turn on your Instant Pot and select the Sauté function.
  • Mix olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper in a bowl. Use half of the mixture to rub on the top part of the chicken.
  • Place the chicken, breast side down, in the Instant Pot and sear for 3 to 4 minutes or until crispy.
  • Rub the remaining spice mixture on the bottom side. Flip the chicken over and sear for an additional minute.
  • Ways to Use Leftover Chicken

    1. Enchiladas Suizas

    2. Mom’s Fabulous Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Crust

    Recommended Reading: How To Cook Chickpeas In Instant Pot

    What Size Of Instant Pot Should I Use

    You can cook chicken breasts in whatever size instant pot you have. Just make sure you add at least 1 cup of liquid, and then place the chicken in the pot in a single layer. If you have a smaller instant pot, simply cook your chicken in batches so you can keep it in single layers. If you have a larger instant pot, keep in mind it will take a little longer for your instant pot to come to pressure before cooking begins.

    Pro Tips:

  • Save the liquid at the bottom of your instant pot after cooking for a yummy and flavorful homemade chicken broth!
  • For shredded chicken: Remove the trivet after cooking, and leave about ½ cup of liquid at the bottom of your pot. Put your chicken back in the pot with the liquid after it rests, and shred with a handheld mixer. Easy and quick shredded chicken!
  • Storing and Freezing Instructions:

    Shred the chicken with forks or a hand mixer and freeze it in individual bags to easily add to any weeknight dinner. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Or, chop the chicken and refrigerate to add to lunches throughout the week.

    Recipes for leftover cooked chicken:

    Is It Ok If Chicken Wings Are A Little Pink

    Many people believe that chicken wings should be a light pink or green in color. This is because these colors are associated with good health and fertility for both humans and poultry.

    There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each persons diet and lifestyle will vary. Some people may believe that red, yellow, or orange chicken wings are better,

    while others may prefer a light blue or purple hue. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not chicken wings should bePink or Green is up to the individual!

    Read Also: How To Boil Potatoes In Instant Pot

    How To Cook Fresh Or Frozen Chicken Breast In The Instant Pot:

    • Place inner pot into the instant pot and place the trivet in the bottom.
    • Add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot .
    • Place chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer.
    • Add salt and pepper or desired seasonings.
    • Secure lid and make sure the vent is set to sealed. Pressure cook on high for 8-10 minutes for fresh chicken breast, and 10-12 minutes for frozen chicken . Cook time stays the same no matter how much chicken you add to the pot the pot will just take longer to come to pressure.
    • Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.

    Fun Ways To Cook Frozen Chicken In The Instant Pot

    How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

    1. Instant Pot Crispy Barbecue Chicken Wings

    Make homemade wings from frozen in under an hour. This recipe makes it sound like a breeze: “Save time by making chicken wings in an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. Frozen or thawed, these turn out great with your favorite barbecue sauce.”

    3. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

    “An Instant Pot makes an easy everyday meal even easier! Frozen chicken breasts are combined with taco seasoning and salsa for a tasty Mexican-themed meal,” states this recipe. “You can use the meat for tacos, burrito bowls, or as a topping for baked potatoes. So many possibilities!”

    “So easy, and only one Instant Pot, no dishes! From the freezer to the table in 30 minutes. Enjoy with baked beans or your favorite combination,” according to this recipe.

    A review on this recipe says, “Since it was my first time doing frozen chicken in my electric pressure cooker, I was amazed by how well-cooked yet moist the chicken came out.”

    Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Dual Coffee Maker

    Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

    27. Instant Pot Soy Sauce Chicken and Rice A simplified, faster, easier homemade version of Cantonese Soy Sauce Chicken Legs to enjoy. 28. Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Wings. Super flavorful and tender honey garlic chicken wings are perfect for quick dinners or make big batches for parties, picnics, or BBQ.

    Handpicked Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes : Delicious Tried and True Chicken Recipes for Beginners and busy nights.

    Contents

    Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken

    You can also freeze your cooked chicken in either a glass container or a Ziploc bag for 5 to 6 months.

    If the chicken was already frozen once, and that is what our recipe is about, it is not recommended to refreeze it again.

    You can still do it, and it is safe, but the texture and quality will not be the same.

    Also Check: How Do You Make Pot Roast In An Instant Pot

    Tips For Cooking This Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe

    I highly recommend browning the chicken in batches. Do NOT add all the chicken at once. It will release a lot of steam, the steam will get trapped and then the chicken will cook in its own juices instead of searing nicely and become brown and delicious. So take your time, the flavor you will get from a nice sear is absolutely worth the extra work.

    Dont forget to deglaze the pan to avoid the burn warning. After sauteing the onion with the chili paste, use a wooden spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan. You can add a splash of broth to help remove all the stuck bits.

    To make this Instant Pot chicken stew thick and creamy, you need to add slurry to it. To achieve the best consistency, add a few tablespoons of broth into a small bowl, sour cream and all-purpose flour, then whisk well until no more lumps can be seen.

    What Are Some Flavor Ideas For Instant Pot Chicken

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken + Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe

    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.

    You May Like: Instant Pot Meal Kits

    Can You Cook Frozen Food In An Instant Pot

    If so, you may be wondering how to cook frozen food in it. Here are some tips to get started:The Instant Pot is a household name when it comes to kitchen appliances. Its a great option for cooks who need quick and easy meals. Whether youre using it for cooking simplepains such as rice or creating more complex dishes, the Instant Pot has you covered.

    If cooking frozen food is your thing, then the Instant Pot is a great option for you. The appliance has many features that make it an ideal choice for this task, including water and time-saving settings that make cooking frozen food easy. Plus, the convenience of theInstant Pot makes freezing foods worry-free.

    Instant Pot Chicken: How To Cook Chicken In An Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Chicken is my favorite way to cook chicken for quick family dinners, meal prep, or to prep for shredding. It makes the chicken so moist and its such a simple method. This post will go over the step by step process for making chicken breast, thighs, legs, tenders, wings, and even a whole chicken in a pressure cooker.

    Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Instant Pot Sealing Ring

    Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

    You’re just a few minutes away from cooking up a big batch of wings in an instant!

    Ingredients:

    • 3 lbs of thawed or fresh chicken wings

    Directions:

  • Add 1 cup of water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
  • Put the steamer basket or rack inside, on top of the water .
  • Place the wings in the basket or rack.
  • Seal your Instant Pot lid, turning the valve to its “locked”position.
  • Set the manual timer for 10 minutes.
  • While the wings cook, line a baking sheet with foil and preheat your broiler to high.
  • Allow the pressure to come down on its own for 2 minutes, then do a quick release to release the rest of the steam .
  • Remove wings from the Instant Pot with tongs and place on the foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Place the wings under the broiler for 8 minutes total, flipping the wings to the other side at the 4-minute mark.
  • Remove from the broiler and place in a heat-safe bowl to add your wing sauce. Shake sauce onto the wings and serve.
  • Which Pressure Cooker Should I Use

    How To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Instant Pot

    You can use any type of Instant Pot or pressure cooker you like for Instant Pot chicken.

    I recommend a 6 quart cooker for a family of 4 because you can cook almost anything you need with it.

    If you have a larger family or need to cook larger amounts of food, an 8 quart is a great option.

    No matter which size cooker you use, the cooking times will remain the same!

    You May Like: How To Use Instant Pot Air Fryer

    Frozen Whole Chicken In The Instant Pot

    These pressure cooker cook times are handy when youve forgotten to defrost your meat. In pieces it doesnt take a whole lot longer than if it was fresh really. BUT if you want to cook an Instant Pot frozen whole chicken you can do that too! Comes out fork tender and ready to shred or slice for dinner.

    • Yesall of this is possible yall!

    Tips For Cooking Chicken In The Instant Pot

    • In order for the 6 quart Instant Pot to work, it needs a minimum of 1 cup of liquid. If you have an 8 quart Instant Pot, it needs at least 1 1/2 cups of liquid.
    • Because chicken breast is so easy to overcook, we always use the quick release method. Quick release is when you turn the pressure release valve to open or venting at the completion of the cooking cycle. This forces the steam to release from the Instant Pot quickly.
    • Do not stack chicken when cooking in the Instant Pot. It will cook unevenly. This is especially true for frozen chicken. Try to spread it out evenly along the bottom as much as you can.
    • Use a meat thermometer like the one we recommend here to determine doneness. All poultry must cook to the safe temperature of 165°F internally . But, you dont want to cook it longer than that and get dried out.
    • If cooking chicken from frozen, make sure to read our post about how to prepare and cook freezer meals in the Instant Pot. Seriously, dont skip it.
    • If you have more questions about the Instant Pot, swing by and browse Instant Pot 101.

    Read Also: Is The Instant Pot Worth It

    Latest Recipes

    More Recipes Like This