This Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe is the one you’ve been waiting for! It’s so easy to make perfectly cooked moist, tender chicken breast Instant Pot style.
Suitable for Gluten Free, low carb, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Knowing how to cook chicken breast is a kitchen essential. And whether you’re an accomplished home cook or just starting out, you’re going to love this Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe.
Not only is it simple and easy to follow, but it gives you consistently moist and flavorful chicken each and every time.
Chicken pretty much goes with everything, and because cooking chicken breast in Instant Pot is so easy, it’s an ideal meal prep solution. In just a few minutes, you can whip up a batch of flavorful chicken breast that can be chopped or shredded and used in all your favorite recipes.
This really is the perfect recipe for busy home cooks. Make this pressure cooker chicken breast, add a quick and easy side dish, and you’ve got a quick and delicious (and affordable) weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
If you like this then please do check out this Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast, and this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken, these tasty Instant Pot Chicken Tenders and last but not least this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos.
Why Make This Recipe
- Moist and Tender – No overcooked chicken here. You get moist and tender chicken breast Instant Pot style every time.
- Fast and Fuss Free – The Instant Pot does all the work, and your chicken will be ready in .
- Versatile – Chicken breast can be seasoned and served all sorts of ways, so you can easily create meals for every taste and any occasion.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Select chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly and at the same rate.
- Oil – Just a small amount of oil is needed to brown the chicken before pressure cooking.
- Seasonings – Use a combination of smoked paprika, garlic salt and onion powder, or your favorite seasoning blend.
- Chicken Broth – Or swap in water if you prefer.
How To Cook Chicken Breast In Instant Pot
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Combine the chicken breast with the oil and seasonings in a bowl until coated.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode, heat the oil, the add the chicken and brown for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Turn off the Instant Pot, remove the chicken, and set aside on a plate.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot and scrape any bits that have stuck to the bottom of the insert, then place the trivet inside.
- Set the browned chicken breasts on top of the trivet. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, turn the valve to sealing, and set to manual pressure / high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When done, allow for a natural pressure release of 7 minutes (or 10 minutes thicker breasts), then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Let the chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
Tips For Success
- Browning the chicken adds great flavor and color, but it’s okay to skip this step if short on time.
- Note that the chicken will not be cooked through after browning.
- Select chicken breasts that are even in thickness or pound the chicken to a uniform size so it cooks evenly.
- Make sure the chicken breasts are in a single layer, not overlapping.
- If cooking from frozen, make sure each chicken breast is separated.
- You can use the cooking liquid at the bottom of the Instant Pot to make a flavorful gravy.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C before serving.
- Cooking times do not include the amount of time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.
Variations
- Use Different Seasonings – Use your favorite seasoning blend to easily change up the flavor.
- Use Fresh or Frozen Chicken – Increase the time at pressure to 10 minutes for frozen chicken breast.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Buy Chicken In Bulk – Stock up on chicken breast in bulk or when it is on sale. Freeze until you need it for up to 6 months.
- Freeze Leftovers – Didn’t use all of the chicken you cooked? The leftover chicken can be cubed or shredded and frozen for up to 3 months.
Prep Ahead And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Instant Pot chicken breast can be cooked up to 3 days in advance.
- Store – Leftovers should be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Freeze whole, chopped or shredded chicken in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Meal Prep
- Eat dinner, then enjoy the leftovers for 4 more days.
- Cook several batches at the beginning of the week, then use to make meals like Meal Prep Chicken and Rice and Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls.
- Freeze leftover chicken for use in future recipes.
FAQs
You will cook at high pressure for 5 minutes followed by a 7-minute natural release for thinner (1-inch thick and under) chicken breasts. For thicker chicken (more than an inch), you will cook at high pressure for 5 minutes followed by a natural release for 10 minutes. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
I like the flavor that sautéing adds to the chicken breast, but pressure cooker chicken breast will be juicy and flavorful even if you skip this part.
Yes! It is so easy to cook frozen Instant Pot chicken breast. To cook, you will skip the searing part and increase the time at pressure to 10 minutes. The chicken will be cooked through and taste incredible.
More Recipes You May Like
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos.
- Instant Pot Stuffed Chicken Breast.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tenders.
- Easy Rosemary Instant Pot Chicken Thighs.
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
- Instant Pot Enchilada Rice.
Serving Suggestions
Weight Watchers Points
There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
Get The Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe:
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 24 ounces (696g) chicken breast 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon powdered onion
- 1 cup (225g) chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Combine the chicken breast with the oil and seasonings in a bowl until coated.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode, heat the oil, the add the chicken and brown for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Turn off the Instant Pot, remove the chicken, and set aside on a plate.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot and scrape any bits that have stuck to the bottom of the insert, then place the trivet inside.
- Set the browned chicken breasts on top of the trivet. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, turn the valve to sealing, and set to manual pressure / high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When done, allow for a natural pressure release of 7 minutes (or 10 minutes thicker breasts), then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Let the chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
- Browning the chicken adds great flavor and color, but it’s okay to skip this step if short on time.
- Note that the chicken will not be cooked through after browning.
- Select chicken breasts that are even in thickness or pound the chicken to a uniform size so it cooks evenly.
- Make sure the chicken breasts are in a single layer, not overlapping.
- If cooking from frozen, make sure each chicken breast is separated.
- You can use the cooking liquid at the bottom of the Instant Pot to make a flavorful gravy.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C before serving.
- Storage – keep cooked chicken in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
Tracy
Loved the chicken breast from the Instant Pot, so succulent and delicious.