Learn how to make juicy and tender instant pot poached chicken. This easy instant pot chicken breast recipe is a game changer! You can use this method to make pressure cooker chicken breast to use in salads, rice dishes, or sandwiches.
Do you own a pressure cooker? If you have an instant pot and are looking for ways to use it in your kitchen, this post is for you. We've already covered some of the basics such as how to make yogurt in instant pot, instant pot white rice and instant pot brown rice. We even have a tutorial showing you a super simple method for how to make egg in instant pot. Today we are covering another instant pot basic recipe, how to cook chicken in instant pot. You can make a whole chicken breast in your instant pot and use it during the week in salads, sandwiches and other recipes.
Instant pot chicken breast recipe
I have found that the instant pot can make cooking very easy. It reduces hands-on cooking time and there is no need to baby sit your dish to see that it has enough liquid or needs stirring. You can just press the button and forget about it. Instant pot is great when you're meal prepping because you can multi-task to save time. This instant pot chicken recipe is a life saver in our home because it yields juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked chicken breasts that we can use throughput the week.
And you know what the best part is? You can make it with fresh or frozen chicken breast. This instant pot chicken breast recipe is perfect for meal planning or weeknight dinners when you come home and realize you need to have dinner on the table in less than an hour.
Cooking boneless chicken breast in instant pot
All you need to make this easy instant pot poached chicken is:
- Chicken breast
- Salt
- Water
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ginger
The combination of onion, garlic and ginger will give a great flavor to the chicken and makes it very tasty. You can also add other ingredients which we will talk about in this article. Using your instant pot is way easier than you might think and once you try this pressure cooker chicken breast recipe, you'll be making in regularly because it's that good!
What instant pot should I get?
This absolutely depends on your needs and preferences. A 6-Quart instant pot would serve 4-6 people and is a standard size. I got mine from Costco but it's the equivalent of this instant pot (affiliate link). Even though instant pots come with many functions, we tend to use the pressure cook and saute functions the most.
How to poach chicken in instant pot
Cooking chicken breast in the instant pot is so simple and easy. You can make this instant pot chicken using frozen chicken or fresh chicken.
For fresh chicken breast
- Place all the ingredients in the instant pot, add the water and lock the lid. Make sure the valve is on seal.
- Press the pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to pressure.
- Do a natural release for 5 minutes and then do a quick release.
For frozen chicken breast
- Place the frozen chicken, chopped onion, garlic and ginger in the instant pot. Pour the water on the chicken and secure the lid. Set the valve on seal.
- Press the pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. It will take about 10-12 minutes for the pressure cooker to reach pressure because the chicken is frozen.
- Once the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally.
A little tip: If using frozen chicken breast, make sure they are frozen individually and not in blocks. If they are frozen in blocks, hold them under cold running water and break them into individual pieces.
This is an instant pot chicken breast recipe using two chicken breasts, but you can also use three chicken breasts following the exact same instructions. Each cooked chicken breast would yield approximately two cups of shredded chicken.
How long does it take to cook chicken in instant pot?
This depends on the size of the chicken and whether they are fresh or frozen. Per the FDA's guidelines, the chicken breast's internal temperature should register at 165° F to be considered fully cooked and safe to consume.
Frozen vs fresh
When making chicken in your instant pot, you can use either fresh or frozen chicken breast. The methods are pretty much the same, you just need to do a natural release if cooking from frozen.
Additions to instant pot chicken breast
The seasoning and ingredients to make poached chicken can vary depending on your use. Typically I use onion, garlic and ginger. You can also use the following seasoning and ingredients:
- Bay leaves
- Cumin
- Peppercorn
- Italian spice blend
- Greek spice blend
- Dried oregano and lemon
Don't be shy with the spices and add one tablespoon of each when poaching chicken breast. Make sure the spices are fresh and haven't been sitting in the cabinet for ages since they tend to lose their aroma and flavor after a while.
What to do with the liquid
You can strain the liquid, discard the onion and garlic pieces and use the liquid itself to make soups and stews.
What can I make with instant pot shredded chicken
This basic instant pot chicken breast recipe is very versatile. You can use the breast shredded, sliced or diced. Instant pot poached chicken is so juicy and tender, meaning that you can use it in different chicken recipes such as:
- Greek lemon chicken orzo soup: and easy soup recipe with great flavors, perfect for the cold weather.
- Healthy chicken salad with walnuts and dill: My favorite weekday lunch. This healthy shredded chicken salad makes the best sandwich!
- Easy Butter Chicken Flatbread: Perfect for an easy dinner!
Can I freeze IP chicken?
Absolutely. Simply follow the recipe and prepare the chicken. Shred it using two forks (or you stand mixer with the batter hook) and portion it in freezer safe bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight.
Instant Pot Poached Chicken (Tutorial)
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breasts
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 inch fresh ginger minced or grated
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the instant pot.
- Add water, salt, onion, garlic and ginger.
- Lock the instant pot lid and make sure the valve is on seal.
- Press the pressure cook button and set the timer for 12 minutes. (Timing is the same for fresh or frozen chicken)
- For fresh chicken, set the timer for 15 minutes.
- For frozen chicken, set the timer for 15 minutes.
- Once the timer is up, for fresh chicken, do natural release for 5 minutes and then do a quick release. For frozen chicken, do a complete natural release.
- Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes and then shred, cube or slice.
Video
Notes
- You can use instant pot chicken breast to make salads, sandwiches and soups.
- Strain the liquid in the instant pot and use it in soups or stews.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- To freeze instant pot poached chicken, shred the chicken and portion it in freezer safe bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Sharon
Instant pots really make life so easy! This poached chicken recipe in the instant pot could be a game-changer to make sure I always have chicken on hand.
Sara
I really need an instant pot. I love to keep poached chicken on hand for chicken salad. This way would be so much easier and faster for me!
Sara Welch
Such a great recipe; I love how easy and moist the chicken was! Going to enjoy some chicken sandwiches tomorrow; yum!
Colleen
Great tutorial on the instant pot. Thanks. I always love having lots of pre cooked chicken for meal prep, so this is a great post.
Adriana
Indeed the best way to cook chicken breast is in the IP results are fantastic and the chicken isn't dry on the contrary turns out juicy falling off the bone.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
I agree, IP does a great job!
Courtney
Such a great method for preparing chicken! It's so easy, and the meat is always so juicy!
juliette
This chicken looks perfect for my husbands weekday lunches! Thanks so much for this recipe. x
Rachel
Love the addition of fresh ginger. What a delicious and easy recipe!
Toni Dash
This is really amazing! Such an easy to follow tutorial!
Angela
I love that in this one recipe I get two meals! The poached chicken is so easy and can be used for all sorts of things. Then take the poaching liquid and make soup.
veenaazmanov
Flavorful, Juicy and tender. Lovely recipes to get going for sure. I cant wait to get going with my Instant Pot usage.