I love stocking the fridge with the essentials to make meals easy for a busy weeknight! Ever since I started experimenting to perfect my Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe, I knew there needed to be a pressure cooker version. And this right here? This is the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breast. I’m bringing my one secret ingredient over from my slow cooker chicken recipe, and let me tell you — it makes all the difference! As much as we love these Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts, I love having a good database of simple, versatile protein recipes that can be made into a variety of different meals. For that reason, these Instant Pot Chicken breasts are simply seasoned, and even though they are incredibly delicious as is, they can easily take on any flavor you want to add. It’s an easy recipe for weekly meal prep! Need to cook right from frozen? Check out my tips on How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot! Looking for more easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Whole Chicken, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Garlic Herb Instant Pot Potatoes or my Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
Reasons to love this Instant Pot Chicken Breast:
Ingredients needed:
Chicken breasts: choose good quality chicken as it makes all the difference. Not all chicken, and not all grocery store meat departments, are created equally. If you’re having trouble making juicy chicken breasts, you may want to test out a couple different brands to see which turns out best. This recipe is for skinless, boneless chicken breast — if you have bone-in chicken breasts you will want to add some extra cook time. Oil: if you choose to sear your chicken, you’ll need a bit of oil in the pot. I use canola oil because it has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, but any oil with a high smoke point will work, including olive oil. Dry Rub Seasonings: this is my favorite combination of flavors to use for seasoning chicken breasts. They are packed with flavor, and yet they still pair well with so many things. Feel free to add your own twists or adjust the spices to your tastes. Chicken broth or chicken stock: using broth to pressure cook adds much more flavor than water. If you only have water, that will work but you may want to add in chicken bouillon or increase the seasonings. Butter: yes, it’s true. Since chicken breasts are so lean, I like to add a bit of fat to the cooking process to keep them so juicy. It’s my favorite way to make them!
How to make the juiciest Instant Pot Chicken Breasts:
The secret ingredient:
That little bit of butter goes a long way to making these chicken breasts incredibly moist and flavorful! It’s a simple addition that makes all the difference.
How to cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot:
The full recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Season: combine your seasoning and season chicken well on all sides. Sear: this step is optional is a new one here. I don’t always sear my chicken but I decided to add it to this recipe because it adds such nice color. If you’re in a hurry, you can simply throw everything in like we’ve done in the past. Deglaze: add your broth to the hot pan and scrape to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Pressure Cook: add your chicken breasts back in and top with butter. You can skip the butter, but it does add nice flavor and keeps them juicy! Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes then release the remaining pressure.
Tips and tricks:
Don’t overcook — overcooked chicken breast is not anyone’s favorite thing, but is somewhat difficult to do in the Instant Pot because the steam provides such a moist environment for the chicken to cook in. Don’t undercook — Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s at least 165 degrees F. The exact cook time is going to depend on a variety of things, including the size and shape (how thick it is at the widest point), and also the model of Instant Pot you have, as some run hotter or cooler. My recipes are tested in the 6 quart model with Bluetooth. It’s important to take these these factors into consideration but I find a cook time of 8-10 minutes is always perfect for juicy chicken breast, and my internal temperature is always around 180 degrees F.
Instant Pot Chicken Variations:
Chicken is one of my favorite proteins because it can take on a wide variety of spices, seasonings and sauces! Mix things up with your seasoning blend or use a bottled blend that you love for a new flair. Try this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken for taco night! Slice and toss in barbecue sauce for easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken. Toss with mayo for a quick chicken salad. Got frozen chicken chicken breast? Check out how to cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot here. This seasoning blend and cooking method works just as well for a combination or breasts and thighs — if you have a chicken thigh lover, toss in some boneless, skinless chicken thighs with your breasts and everyone is happy! Don’t throw out the cooking liquid! Add it to soup or thicken it with a corn starch slurry to make gravy.
What to serve with chicken breasts:
Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad — easy to make ahead and store in the fridge until dinner! Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe — you can’t go wrong with cream potatoes. Air Fryer Green Beans — if you’re looking to skip the oven, these are the perfect veggie side. Broccoli Casserole — creamy, and cheesy and top with crushed cheese crackers! Creamy Cavatappi Pasta — simple and so delicious! You can even stir the chicken right in. Mom’s Homemade Buns — fluffy and golden every time! You could use them to make a fabulous sandwich.
Storage:
How long can I store it?
Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container. This is perfect for meal prepping!
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 6 months. You can chop and use it to round out pastas, soups and many other meals.
Can I do a quick release?
Hypothetically, you can do a quick release but it’s not recommended for meat or poultry because it can dry it out quickly. I recommend allowing for a 10 minute minimum natural release, then opening the valve to remove the chicken.
Tools you’ll need to make this Instant Pot chicken recipe:
Instant pot or electric pressure cooker: My recipes are tested in my 6 quart Instant Pot — it’s an older version and for this reason the manual lists 1 cup of liquid as the minimum. I know that the 8 quarts and some of the newer ones list different requirements. For this recipe, you can easily change the liquid to match your manual’s suggestion. Do I need a trivet? I know everyone has different thoughts on cooking meat on or off the trivet, but with chicken breasts I usually place them on the bottom in the liquid, and they are incredibly juicy.
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
