Chicken breast cooked in a Pressure cooker (Instant Pot) is so juicy and tender, perfect for high protein meal prep. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and requires 3 basic ingredients you already have on hand. Using fresh or frozen, this easy Instant Pot chicken breast technique is fail proof!
Cooking chicken breast can be challenging using other methods, but the instant pot is very forgiving and yields the most juicy chicken breast that can be used as a base for many recipes on busy week nights.
Reasons to love this Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Quick and Easy: All you have to do is put the chicken in the instant pot, season it, set the timer and walk away. The chicken breast cooks in 10 minutes, and with the pressure build up you will have juicy chicken breasts ready in less than 30 minutes. Did I mention this is totally fail proof?
- Fresh or frozen: Forgot to thaw your chicken breast? Don’t fret, simply increase cooking time by a few minutes (see details below)
- Juicy: Instant pot locks in moisture and produces a juicy chicken breast. You don’t have to babysit the chicken.
- Versatile: This easy chicken breast recipe is perfect for dishes that require shredded chicken, cubed or whole. Can be added to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
- Protein Rich: Chicken breast is high in protein, keeping you full for longer and helps to build/repair muscle after exercise.
Ingredients (you already have on hand)
Chicken Breast: Choose a good quality fresh or frozen chicken breast preferably organic, pasture raised. I prefer fresh, thawed chicken breast. You can use boneless or bone in, this does not affect cooking time.
Seasoning: Salt and pepper is a simple base. If you want to eat the chicken breast as a main dish, then season with spices to your liking. Examples include paprika, garlic powder, taco seasoning, Mediterranean etc.
Water or Broth: Use any liquid of choice such as water or broth. If not using a trivet (rack), use broth for more flavor, since the chicken breast will be in direct contact with the liquid.
How to Cook Juicy Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot
- Pour one cup of liquid (water or broth) into instant pot with trivet insert.
- Season chicken breast and place into instant pot. If you don’t have a trivet then place directly in liquid. For more flavor, use broth if you don’t have a trivet.
- SEAL pressure cooker and set MANUAL on HIGH for 8-10 minutes, depending on size. Don’t use the poultry setting, instead set time based on thickness of the chicken breast.
If chicken breast is less 2 inches thick, set for 8 minutes.
If chicken breast is more than 2 inches thick, set for 10 minutes. - Once timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 mins before using self release. This will help to keep moisture inside the breast. The slow release of pressure in the first 5-10 minutes prevents the chicken breast from being dry and tough.
- Remove chicken from Instant Pot and rest for a few minutes. Then you can shred, cube or serve as desired.
If you want to double check if the chicken breast has reached an internal temp of 165F, use an instant read thermometer.
Can I use Frozen Chicken Breast?
Frozen chicken breast can be used in a pressure cooker the same way, simply ADD 4 minutes to the cooking time based on chicken breast thickness. For frozen chicken breast, the cook time is between 12-14 minutes.
Separate the frozen chicken breast first in order to cook it evenly. If your chicken breast is frozen together, place them in a large bowl with lukewarm water for a couple of minutes and separate each breast from one another. Follow the same instructions as above, but increase cook time.
Less than 2 inches thick, set for 12 minutes.
More than 2 inches thick, set for 14 minutes
Pro Tips and Tricks
Don’t overcook. There is no need to double the cooking time. The instant pot uses a very efficient, even distribution of hot steam to cook the meat evenly through. The steam’s moist environment prevents the chicken from overcooking, but doubling the cooking time can shrink the protein fibers in the chicken, making it dry.
Don’t use the quick release. Using quick release right away can yield a dry, tough chicken breast. Allow for natural release of pressure in first 5-10 minutes. This step helps to keep moisture inside the chicken breast.
Add cooked liquid to shredded chicken breast for more flavor and juiciness. I add 1/2 cup of liquid to shredded breast.
Storage
Refrigerate: Up to 5 days in air tight container
Freeze: Up to 3 months
Reheat: Microwave or in a stovetop pan
Tools
- Instant pot
- Trivet
- Glass containers storage
- Instant read thermometer
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)
Equipment
- Instant pot
- Trivet
Ingredients
- 2-3 Chicken Breast
- 1 cup Liquid (Water, Stock or Broth)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Place trivet inside Instant Pot.
- Pour 1 cup of liquid (water or broth) inside instant pot.
- Season chicken breast with Salt and Pepper or any seasoning you like. Place chicken in single layer inside Instant Pot.
- SEAL pressure cooker and set MANUAL on HIGH for 8-10 minutes for fresh chicken breast, or 12-14 minutes for frozen. Cook time depends on thickness of the breast. FRESH: Chicken breast is less 2 inches thick, set for 8 minutes. If chicken breast is more than 2 inches thick, set for 10 minutes.FROZEN: Chicken Breast is less than 2 inches thick, set for 12 minutes. If chicken breast is more than 2 inches thick, set for 14 minutes
- Once timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5-10 mins before using self-release (This will help keep moisture inside the breast).
- Remove chicken from Instant Pot and rest for a few minutes. Then you can shred, cube or serve as desired.
- If you are shredding the chicken, use 1/2 cup of liquid from the Instant Pot to keep chicken juicy.
