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.
I’ll report back in another post once I hack the frozen ones! 🙂 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!
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 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.
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.
I season these up in a pretty basic way, and it is very versatile.
You can change up the spices to suit your preference, though.
I brown the chicken on both sides to lock in as much juiciness as possible. And then I place them on a trivet to pressure cook them the rest of the way.
FAQ’s for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
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.
Can I use cutlets or thin chicken breasts?
I would not recommend thin cuts, since they will become overcooked. Make sure you use regular whole chicken breasts.
Can I make this in a 3 quart and/or 8 quart model?
Yes! Just use the minimum fill requirements for the liquid.
Can I use chicken stock/ broth in place of water?
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.
Can I make shredded chicken using this recipe?
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.
Can I use the poultry button instead?
Sure! I have used the poultry button, but I have never noticed much of a difference.🤷🏼♀️ In fact, I use “manual” high pressure in almost all of my IP recipes. 😎
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
Also, these make a great 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
Tools Used to Make Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
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- 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
Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe
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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
Preheat the sauté function on the Instant Pot at the highest setting, and add oil to the pot.
Season one side of the chicken breasts.
After the display reads "hot," carefully add the chicken breasts, seasoned side down, to the pot. I use tongs to avoid hot oil splatter.
Add seasoning on the second side.
Cook about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, and remove from pot with the tongs.
Add 1 cup water to the pot (may need more for 8 quart pots), plus the trivet.
Place the chicken on the trivet.
Lock the lid, and cook on manual high for 5 minutes.
Allow the chicken to naturally release for 5 minutes, and then quick release the rest.
Remove the chicken from the pot, and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
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.
Brenda says
I followed the recipe and my chicken was rubbery. Did I cook to long or not long enough?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Brenda! It sounds like it cooked a little too long. Do you know what size/ weight your chicken breasts were? Also, you may have already seen this in the recipe notes, but it is a common mistake with this recipe: be sure not to use split or thin chicken breasts for this recipe. Hope that helps!
RAYMOND says
This is only my second time using my instant pot. the first meal I made in it was a chuck roast with potatoes and carrots. It turned out awesome! Tonight i made two chicken breasts.one was around 8 oz, the other was around 12. the smaller breast was absolutely perfect. the bigger one was not done in the middle. An additional 2 minutes on high pressure made it too done and a little tough. Could the problem have been the fact that I allowed it to rest and then re heated?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Raymond! I am glad you enjoyed it. On the larger chicken breast, 12 ounces is very, very large. First, I would recommend trying to buy a package where the chicken breasts are around the same size. You can eyeball it. In the future, if you get a pack with all (similar to each other in size) gargantuan chicken breasts (like 12 ounces), I would recommend adding a minute of pressure cook time, and perhaps another 2 or 3 minutes of natural release. Thank you for the feedback!
Carolyne Sickels says
would THE TIMING STILL BE 5 MINS. IF YOU’RE USING BONE-IN CHICKEN BREASTS?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
It would need a little more time, I think. But I haven’t made these so I cannot say exactly how much.
Alyssa Conway says
So, first time instant pot user here….mine doesn’t have a manual setting….and my chicken breasts are around 1lb each (mutant chickens!). Any suggestions on how to proceed?
-alyssa
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
It is just high pressure on the new models. Hmmmm, as for cook time, I would increase by a minute on the pressure time, plus another few minutes on the NPR time. Not exactly sure how much, but I would guess an extra 5 on NPR. If the pot fully releases before then, just leave the lid on for that long. It’ll still cook a little.
Veronica says
This recipe is a MAJOR hit in our house! I make roasted potatoes which I call fries with a garlic mayo dipping sauce on the side and caesar salad. You know you’ve hit the jackpot when the nine year old, “this is to repeat!” and then when you actually repeat it he is seriously excited and eats all his food!!! Thank you for this yummy and simple recipe!
Shari Davis says
I tried with frozen chicken breasts. They weren’t
Done so I turned back on for few more minutes
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yep, Shari. I have had the same issue, which is why I mentioned in the post that I can only recommend fresh chicken breasts for this recipe. 😬 Sometimes they turned out fine, other times not so much. Better luck next time!💖
Cindy says
How long for just 2 chicken breasts? This will be my first experience with the Instant Pot.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Cindy! Same time as written in the recipe for any amount of chicken breasts. I hope you enjoy!
Jennifer says
Can you use extra virgin olive oil?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yes, you can.
Hannah says
My “Power quick pot” did not come with a trivet, is this a problem or do you have any other items I could use in place of a trivet? Thanks!
Steve Turton says
you can use any steamer basket that fits inside your IP…
Peter forsmark says
This wA my 1st Time using the instant pot I bought this fall. Wanted something healthy and every other recipe I saw was more poached. Followed the directions exactly and not even really knowing how to use the instant pot it turned out perfectly. Will definitely make this again and again. Thanks!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
So glad you enjoyed it!🙌🏻
Stitch says
I am looking at your Instant pot Chicken recipe, which calls for 3 breasts. This won’t be enough for my family. Can I double this and if so, how to I adjust the instant pot settings. please let me know. Thanks
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hey! You can use the same cook time. The only thing that will differ is that it may take two batches of sautéing them, since they won’t all fit in the bottom of the pot. But the cook time and liquids can remain the same. I hope they turn out delicious for you!
Danna says
I made this recipe in November and we loved it! I used a different seasoning on it. It has garlic powder, onion powder salt and pepper and smoked paprika. Im making it again tonight. Thank you for such an easy and delicious recipe.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay! I am glad you enjoyed it, Dana. 🙌🏻 And that sounds like a tasty seasoning blend…very similar to what I use on my Instant Pot whole chicken.
Tara says
I Have made it twice and both times it came out perfect!!! Thanks for sharing!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Tara!💖
Meg says
WE ARE A FAMILY OF 5. I would need to make a lot more chicken than what is called for. I know sautéing would take a bit longer but when pressure cooking, can I overlap the chicken?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Meg! Yes, you can overlap the chicken breasts, and they should still cook great in the same amount of pressure cooking time.👍🏻
Brenda says
hi. Would it still be 5 minutes cook time for 5-6 chicken breasts?
Thanks
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yes, the same amount of time applies. It may take a little longer to sear them on both sides if they do not all fit in the pan at the same time. But yes, the pressure cook time is the same. Hope you enjoy it!
DianaGirard says
I just got an Instapot. did the water/steam test yesterday. This was my first instapot attempt.. turned out great!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yessss! I am so happy you enjoyed it🙌🏻😘 Thank you for taking the time to leave a star rating🙏🏻🥰
Linda says
I’m new to the instant pot. I seems to me that the instructions that come with it are pretty vague, but on the page that comes with it, it says 6-8 minutes per lb. How is it you only cook yours for 5 minutes?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Linda! Since my recipe browns the meat on both sides on sauté mode prior to pressure cooking, it reduces the cook time a little. It has been a great recipe with very consistent results, both for myself and for my readers. I hope you enjoy!💖
Kim says
Could you add veggies into the instant pot at the same time to cook a full meal all at once? Say broccoli and carrots?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Kim! You could add veggies, but the cook times would need to match up. I would not recommend broccoli, for example, since it would be waaay overcooked. Carrots and potatoes may work, especially if you chop them up first to make sure they cook all the way through. Hope that makes sense!
Allyson says
i have been looking for a basic chicken recipe and I am excited to give this one a try. i am trying to lose weight and I love it when people put how many calories are in a serving, however I don’t know how big is a serving. can you help me out with that?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Allyson! The bulk of your calories will come from the chicken breast itself. The ones for this recipe were around 7 ounces each. The amount of calories for the cooking spray and spices will be very small (probably 30 calories or less, combined). Hope that helps!
Cookie P says
This is my favorite recipe for cooking fresh chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, and I have tried quite a few recipes. The chicken is flavorful and moist. Yum! sautéing the meat before cooking makes a huge difference. I add Garlic powder to the spices just because I like garlic.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know.💖🙌🏻
Kathleen says
aRE THE OTHER SEASONING MEASUREMENTS PER CHICKEN BREAST AS WELL, OR IS THAT JUST FOR THE GARLIC SALT?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Kathleen. Great question! All measurements are per chicken breast. I wrote it that way since I know people like to do different sized batches.