Emilie Meyer
Chicken is the most popular meat cooked in the Instant Pot, and it's easy to see why. The Instant Pot is a great way to cook chicken quickly and efficiently, and it can be used to cook chicken breasts, thighs, or a whole chicken. The time it takes to cook chicken in an Instant Pot depends on a few factors, such as whether the chicken is fresh or frozen, the thickness of the meat, and the amount of chicken being cooked. In general, it takes longer to cook frozen chicken, and thicker pieces of meat may require a slightly longer cooking time.
How long to cook chicken in an Insta Pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken type | Chicken breasts, thighs, whole chicken |
| Chicken state | Fresh, frozen |
| Chicken weight | 2-5 lbs |
| Chicken temperature | Internal temperature of 165°F |
| Cook time | 8-25 minutes |
| Cook time variation | Depends on chicken part, state, and weight |
| Cook time adjustment | Increase/decrease by 1-2 minutes for larger/smaller parts |
| Pressure release | Natural release for 5 minutes, then venting |
| Liquid | 1 cup of water, broth, juice, or sauce |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic, spices |
| Shredding | Forks, hand mixer, or stand mixer |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking chicken from frozen
Firstly, ensure that the chicken has been frozen flat, rather than in one large lump, and that the individual pieces are separated and not in a clump when added to the instant pot. This will ensure even cooking. If the chicken is frozen in one solid block, it may need a little longer to cook.
Secondly, add liquid to the instant pot. This can be water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice, or even BBQ sauce or hot sauce with added spices. The amount of liquid required varies, with some sources recommending half a cup of liquid, and others recommending one cup.
Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper or desired seasonings. Secure the lid, ensuring the vent is set to "sealed".
The cooking time for frozen chicken breasts ranges from 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the weight and thickness. For example, boneless chicken breasts weighing 4-5 lbs will take 20-25 minutes, whereas 2-3 lbs will take 15-20 minutes. The cooking time is also influenced by the desired outcome; for shredded chicken, a longer cooking time of 25 minutes is recommended. For chicken breasts, the general rule is to cook for 6 minutes per pound, followed by a natural release for 10 minutes.
After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining steam. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a thermometer; it should have reached 165°F. If the chicken has not yet reached this temperature, secure the lid again and cook for a further 1-3 minutes on high pressure.
Finally, remove the chicken from the instant pot and set the pot aside. Shred the chicken with forks or a hand mixer and return it to the pot with the remaining liquid.
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Shredding chicken
The chicken will be ready to shred when it is tender and pulls apart easily. It should be cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F. This can be checked with an instant-read thermometer.
If you are cooking frozen chicken, it is best to break the breasts or thighs apart to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will vary depending on the amount of meat, but for 4-5 lbs, it will take 20-25 minutes. For 2-3 lbs, it will be more like 15-20 minutes.
Once cooked, the chicken can be shredded and tossed with the remaining juices in the pot. It can then be served immediately, or stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, or frozen for up to three months.
Shredded chicken is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of recipes, including soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and more. It is a convenient option for meal prep and can be seasoned to suit a range of dishes.
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Chicken breast cooking times
The cooking time also depends on whether the chicken is fresh or frozen. Fresh chicken breast should be cooked for 8-10 minutes, while frozen chicken breast requires 10-12 minutes. The pot will take longer to come to pressure if the chicken is frozen. The cooking time remains the same regardless of the amount of chicken in the pot.
For juicy chicken breast, a general rule is to cook the chicken on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound, followed by a natural release for 10 minutes. Braising chicken breasts in broth or water is another way to ensure they stay moist.
To cook chicken breasts in an InstaPot, add 1 cup of liquid (water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice) to the pot. Place the chicken breasts on a trivet inside the pot, ensuring they are in a single layer. Add salt and pepper or other desired seasonings. Seal the lid and set the vent to "sealed". Cook on high pressure for 8-12 minutes, depending on whether the chicken is fresh or frozen. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining steam.
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Chicken thigh cooking times
Chicken thighs can be cooked in an Instant Pot from fresh or from frozen. The cooking times will vary depending on the weight and number of chicken thighs, as well as whether they are boneless or bone-in.
For fresh chicken thighs, the cooking time is around 8-10 minutes on high pressure. If the chicken thighs are frozen, the cooking time increases to 10-12 minutes on high pressure. It is important to ensure that frozen chicken thighs are not clumped together and are broken apart as best as possible to ensure even cooking.
The weight of the chicken thighs will also affect the cooking time. For example, 4-5 lbs of chicken thighs will take around 20-25 minutes to cook, while 2-3 lbs will take 15-20 minutes. If the chicken thighs are on the smaller side, the cooking time can be decreased by 1-2 minutes, and for larger chicken thighs, the cooking time can be increased by 1-2 minutes.
Additionally, the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure will vary depending on the amount of chicken and whether it is fresh or frozen. Fresh chicken will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure, while frozen chicken will take 12 to 15 minutes.
It is recommended to allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes after cooking, then turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining steam. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Chicken rotisserie
Cooking chicken in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken. The entire process, from preparation to serving, can be completed in under an hour, making it a convenient option for a family dinner or meal prep.
To begin, you'll need a whole chicken, preferably organic, weighing around 4 to 4.5 pounds. You can use a frozen chicken, but it's recommended to use a thawed or fresh chicken for more even cooking. Before cooking, create a slurry by mixing oil, seasonings, garlic, and sea salt, and rub it all over the chicken.
Set your 6-qt Instant Pot to the high saute setting. Add canola oil and place the chicken breast side down, cooking until it's golden brown, which should take about 4-5 minutes. After browning, flip the chicken breast side up and place it on the trivet. You can also crisp up the skin at this stage using the saute setting to give it a rotisserie feel.
Now, it's time to pressure cook the chicken. Pour chicken stock, broth, or water into the Instant Pot and carefully lower the trivet with the chicken back into it. Seal the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure. The cooking time will depend on the weight of your chicken; a good rule of thumb is to cook for 6 minutes per pound. For a 4.5-pound chicken, 25-30 minutes should suffice.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to depressurize naturally. This can take around 15 minutes. After depressurizing, remove the lid and transfer the chicken to a serving platter. The chicken will be very tender and might fall off the bone, so handle it carefully. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving. You can brush some cooking liquid over the chicken to make it extra juicy.
The leftover rotisserie chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for later use.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of chicken and whether it is frozen or not. Fresh chicken breast takes 8-10 minutes, while frozen chicken breast takes 10-12 minutes. Fresh chicken thighs take 8-10 minutes, while frozen chicken thighs take 10-12 minutes.
Cooking a whole chicken in an Instapot will take longer than cooking chicken breasts or thighs. The time will depend on the size of the chicken and whether it is frozen or not. Expect it to take at least 20 minutes.
Braise them in broth or water and do not overcook. Cut the breasts in half at the thickest point and then cook for 6 minutes per pound.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in the Instapot. However, it will take longer for the pot to come to pressure since it has to heat up the frozen chicken. Make sure to break apart frozen chicken breasts or thighs before adding them to the pot to ensure even cooking.
Your chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature.
