This is my tried and true method for making Instant Pot chicken breasts that are tender, juicy and delicious!
This is my method for fresh (not frozen) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. And it might just become your new favorite way to cook chicken breasts.
I’ll report back in another post once I hack the frozen chicken breast! đ They are a little tricker, in my opinion.
If you want to make something similar on the stovetop with a grill pan or cast iron skillet, see my other grilled chicken breasts recipe. It is one of my most popular recipes of all time!
If you want an oven baked chicken breast recipe, I have a fantastic recipe those too. Air fryer chicken breast is also a great recipe to check out.
OR if you want more of a shredded chicken recipe, check out my Instant Pot shredded chicken method.
But back to these instant pot chicken breasts!
It’s fun to get super creative and fancy in the kitchen sometimes. But simple and basic can also be delicious. I come back around to my most simple and basic recipes more often than not.
This particular recipe is such a great basic, easy recipe to have on hand. These chicken breasts are great to enjoy with a couple simple side items (salad and Instant Pot sweet potato, for example) as a simple meal.
I often use these for weekly meal prep as well. Instant Pot chicken breasts are also a great diced up over pasta or salad. You can meal prep and make them ahead, and eat off them for a few days after.
How to make Instant Pot chicken breasts
First, gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to. To make this Instant Pot chicken breast recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- oil (I use avocado, but you can use coconut or canola – something with a high smoke point is best!)
- boneless skinless chicken breasts (uncooked)
- garlic salt (or you can use garlic powder + regular salt)
- black pepper
- dried oregano
- dried basil
- 1 cup of water (or chicken stock)
Seasoning
I season these up in a pretty basic way, and it is very versatile. This blend goes well with almost anything. I use garlic, salt, pepper, basil and oregano.
You can change up the spices to suit your preference, though. Use the same cooking time, and season with taco seasoning, Italian seasoning or barbecue sauce.
Cooking Instant Pot chicken breasts
First, brown the chicken on both sides to lock in as much juiciness as possible. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, and remove from pot with the tongs.
Next, you will need a little bit of cooking liquid. Add 1 cup water to the bottom of the pot (may need more for 8 quart models), plus the trivet. Place the chicken on top of the trivet in a single layer.
Lock the lid, and cook on high pressure for a cooking time of 5 minutes. After that pressure cooking cycle finishes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for an additional 5 minutes. Then quick release the remaining pressure using the quick release lever.
Remove the chicken from the pot, and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
Pay attention to the size of your chicken breasts to ensure appropriate cook time. If you are unsure, you can always use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days.
And check out my Instant Pot recipe archives for more easy Instant Pot recipes.
FAQ’s for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
The most likely cause for this is overcooking. For best results, weight your chicken breasts on a food scale and watch the cook time very carefully, including time left in pot after cooking is complete.
It depends on what type of chicken, and what cut you are making. This recipe resembles a grilled chicken breast, and it takes about 15 minutes of cook time, plus a bit of come-to-pressure time.
Yes, this is easy to do using a quick cooking method like pressure cooking. To avoid overcooking, pay close attention to chicken breast size, and watch your cook time very closely. Even an extra minute can cause the meat to overcook.
I would not recommend it, although several members of my audience have written in, saying they had great results using frozen chicken breasts. I myself have had mixed results. So for consistent results, I recommend using fresh, thawed chicken breasts.
I would not recommend thin cuts, since they will become overcooked. Make sure you use regular whole chicken breasts.
Yes! Just use the minimum fill requirements for the liquid in your particular model/ size.
Sure! That definitely works, and I have used stock a bunch of times. After realizing that the liquid doesn’t touch the chicken, I tried using water and didn’t notice much difference. So I have used water ever since.
This recipe makes chicken with the texture of a piece of grilled chicken. So no, I would not recommend this for shredded chicken. Instead, try my Instant Pot shredded chicken, which uses chicken thighs.
Sure! I have used the poultry button, but I have never noticed much of a difference.đ€·đŒââïž In fact, I use “manual” high pressure in almost all of my IP recipes. đ
Chicken thighs have a different cook time than chicken breasts. So I would definitely recommend checking out my Instant Pot chicken thigh recipe for that.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
If you are not a crazy Instant Pot lady like me who has two Instant Pots, you can wrap your chicken breasts in foil while you make another side to go with it. Or if is a longer cook side (like the black eyed peas), make the side first, and then the chicken breasts. Of course, an extra inner pot comes in handy! Here are my favorite sides to serve:
- Instant Pot “Baked” Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot black eyed peas
- Instant Pot mashed potatoes
- Lemon garlic roasted Brussels sprouts
- Quinoa Black Bean salad
- Roasted broccoli and mushrooms
- Tortellini pasta salad
- Spiralizer Greek salad
- Greek quinoa salad
- Green beans with caramelized onions and almonds
- Greek pasta salad
- Classic potato salad (includes Instant Pot instructions)
- Greek potato salad
- Roasted thyme carrots
Salads to top with Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
These make a fantastic make ahead option to make salads all week. Here are my favorite salads using these chicken breasts:
- Greek salad with chicken
- Chicken BLT salad with avocado
- Copycat Newk’s Favorite Salad
- BBQ ranch chopped salad
- Grilled chicken salad with raspberries, walnuts and artichoke hearts
- Cobb salad
My Instant Pot Chicken Recipe Collection
If you love easy chicken recipes to make in your Instant Pot, you might like to check out my recipe collection here (click the image below to go to the post).
Tools used to make this recipe
This post may contain affiliate links, which pay a referral fee to me at no additional cost to you. My full affiliate disclosure can be seen here.
- Instant Pot – I am using a 6 quart
- Tongs are very helpful when placing the chicken in hot oil, and removing it after cooking. Just be sure and wash the tongs with hot soapy water before you handle the finished product to avoid cross-contamination.
- Measuring spoons
- Trivet that comes with your Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon oil (I use avocado, but you can use coconut or canola – something with a high smoke point is best!)
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (uncooked)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt per chicken breast (or you can use just garlic powder and regular salt)
- dash black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
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Preheat the sauté function on the Instant Pot at the highest setting, and add oil to the pot.
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Season one side of the chicken breasts.
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After the display reads “hot,” carefully add the chicken breasts, seasoned side down, to the pot. I use tongs to avoid hot oil splatter.
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Add seasoning on the second side.
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Cook about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, and remove from pot with the tongs.
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Add 1 cup water to the pot (may need more for 8 quart pots), plus the trivet.
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Place the chicken on the trivet.
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Lock the lid, and cook on manual high for 5 minutes.
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Allow the chicken to naturally release for 5 minutes, and then quick release the rest.
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Remove the chicken from the pot, and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Note: Regarding chicken breast sizes, each breast was between 6 and 8 ounces. (6.7, 7.3 and 7.7 to be exact!) Also, butterflied (halved) chicken breasts or chicken cutlets will not have the same cook time as whole chicken breasts. I recommend using whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.Â
Note: This recipe originally appeared on A Pinch of Healthy January 11, 2017. It has been updated with better photos and clarified instructions.
abduallah alazemi says
How can I quadrouble this recipe? Im trying to cook 4 times the original recipe how would the time and water amount change? Plz help
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
You may need to sauté these in batches, since only 3 or 4 will fit in the pan to brown at a time. Once you have sautéed, I think you could fit 6 to 8 breasts in there at a time to pressure cook. Same water amount and cook time would apply. Hope this helps!
Jaclyn Smith says
I followed the recipe and even let the chicken breast cook for 7 minutes but the middle was still raw đ Was is just because they were too thick and I needed to pound them first?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Jaclyn! I am sorry you are having this issue. Did you do the 5 minutes of NPR too? Those must be jumbo cuts of meat to still not be done at that cook time. Another thing I thought could be it: were these frozen (even partially) to begin with? I have had this happen a lot with frozen breasts, which is why I recommend using fresh ones for best results.
Gloria says
I Going to try this recipe today. I have 2 chicken breasts that are 11 oz and 13 oz. should I adjust the time?
Gloria
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Gloria! You’ve probably already made this by now. Those are very large, so yes, I would recommend adding some time. I wish I had some exact times to give you, but this is a guess: I recommend adding 1 minute of high pressure, and then two or 3 minutes extra of NPR. The adjust from there, if needed. I hope that helps!
Cynthia says
If I just wanted to cook two chicken breasts do I need to alter the recipie amounts? I’m not very good at cooking. Lol
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Cynthia! Cook times will be the same no matter how many chicken breasts, and just follow the ingredient amounts per chicken breast (what is written in the recipe). Good luck! I hope they turn out delicious for you.
Everett Taylor says
To natural release the pressure do you just turn the instant pot off and leave it on sealing to let it naturally release?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
It will automatically go to keep warm, so I don’t turn it off until all steps in the recipe are complete and everything is done. Hope that helps!
Nikki Lawrence says
What if i have 2 chicken breast that i have cut in half? (i normally cut mine i half to last longer for my family)
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Nikki! I would recommend waiting to cut them in half until after cooking is complete, since this affects the cook time.
Reenu says
Hi! How long to cook if I only want to cook 1 chicken breast
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Reenu! Same cook time for one chicken breast. Hope it turns out delicious for you!
Leannemparker@yahoo.com says
I Have made this several times and turns out PERFECT! I sautĂ© mine on medium heat instead of high for 3-4 mins on each side, then pressure cook for the 5 mins on high, rest for 5 mins, and Viola… dinner is served!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay! I am so glad you are enjoying the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating. Have a great weekend!
HeaWardo says
Browning does not ‘lock in the juices’. This is a myth. Browning the meat develops flavors and textures.
Ann says
Is it necessary to use a trivet or will the chicken cook just as well without it?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Ann! I would recommend using the trivet. This keeps the chicken out of the liquid, and I think it makes the chicken juicier.
Josina VanEss says
I followed your recipe as you wrote it except I sauteed the chicken in a pan on the stove because when I put the olive oil in my Instant pot, it popped and went all over outside the instant pot – do you know why it would do this? after sauteing on the stove, I put the chicken in the instant pot and followed all directions as you stated but my chicken still came out dry. Not sure what I can do different.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Josina! Some models will allow you to adjust the sautĂ© setting. Another thing I thought about…you can pat the chicken with a paper towel prior to putting it in the pot. Water or liquid on the chicken can cause oil to pop more. As for the timing, this time has worked well for me and others. But you could play around with it. I would recommend reducing pressure cook time (fast cooking) by a minute, and adding on a minute or two of natural release (slower cooking) until you find your sweet spot. Hope this helps!
Josina says
tHE OIL STARTED POPPING BEFORE i PUT THE CHICKEN IN….LIKE WITHIN 30-45 SECONDS AFTER PUSHING THE SAUTE BUTTON
Josina says
sorry for some reason my reply went in all caps and wasn’t meant to – I can’t tell if my caps is on because everything is typing in small letters on the screen – sorry
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
No problem! Does your model allow you to change levels (hi or low) for sauté setting? If not, I would say to put the chicken in a little sooner next time.