Marianne Martinez
Cooking chicken in a pressure cooker or power pot is a convenient way to prepare chicken for use in multiple meals. It is a fast and easy method that requires only a few ingredients and can be used to cook chicken breasts, thighs, legs, and even a whole chicken. The process involves pressure steaming or pressure cooking the chicken in a liquid base, such as water or broth, with seasonings and spices. The chicken can be cooked from fresh or frozen, and the power pot allows for even cooking and juicy, tender results. This guide will explore the steps to cook chicken pieces in a power pot, including preparation, cooking time, and serving suggestions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, water or broth, salt, butter, oil, garlic, bay leaves, BBQ sauce |
| Equipment | Power pot, wire rack, thermometer, sieve, saucepan, spoon, container |
| Chicken Type | Boneless, skinless, bone-in, frozen, fresh |
| Chicken Weight | 8 oz, 1.5-2 pounds, 3-4 pounds, 1 pound or less |
| Chicken Temperature | 165oF |
| Pressure | High |
| Cook Time | 8-20 minutes |
| Pressure Build Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Pressure Release Time | 1-10 minutes |
| Rest Time | 5 minutes |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, apple gorgonzola salad |
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What You'll Learn
How to cook chicken pieces in a power pot: Ingredients and preparation
To cook chicken pieces in a power pot, you will need a power pot or pressure cooker, chicken, and some basic ingredients. The beauty of this cooking method is its simplicity and speed, and the fact that you can cook chicken from frozen.
Ingredients
You will need:
- Chicken pieces, either boneless or bone-in. Bone-in chicken is cheaper and has more flavour, but boneless is quicker to cook.
- Water or chicken broth/stock.
- Salt.
- Any additional spices, herbs, or vegetables for flavour.
Preparation
Firstly, decide if you want to sear the chicken. This is an optional step, but it adds colour and a little extra flavour. To sear, heat some oil in the bottom of the pot and add the chicken, browning on all sides.
Next, add the water or broth/stock. You will need about one cup of liquid. If you are cooking boneless chicken, you can add some salt and spices/herbs/vegetables to the liquid for flavour. For bone-in chicken, you will layer the chicken and liquid with BBQ sauce, creating a sticky, tasty dish.
Place the chicken in the pot. For boneless chicken, ensure the pieces are in a single layer and not overlapping. For bone-in chicken, you can layer the chicken with the sauce.
Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to 'Sealing'. Set the timer for 10 minutes per pound of chicken for boneless chicken, or 20 minutes for bone-in chicken. The pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure, then the cooking time will begin.
Once the timer goes off, release the pressure. For boneless chicken, you can do a quick release. For bone-in chicken, a natural release is recommended to ensure the meat is tender.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer—it should be at least 165oF. If you are making bone-in chicken, you can now slather on another layer of BBQ sauce and finish the chicken in the oven or an air fryer.
Your chicken is now ready to serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
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Cooking methods: pressure cooking, steaming, and frying
Pressure Cooking
Pressure cooking is a great way to cook chicken pieces in a power pot, especially if you're looking for juicy, tender chicken. You can use fresh or frozen chicken pieces—just note that frozen chicken will take longer to come to temperature.
Here's a simple recipe:
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or citrus.
- Pour chicken broth or water into the power pot, ensuring it covers the bottom of the pot.
- Place a trivet or steamer basket inside the pot, making sure it's above the cooking liquid.
- Put the chicken pieces on the trivet or steamer basket, ensuring they are above the cooking liquid.
- Secure the lid and bring the power pot up to temperature, which usually takes about 12 minutes.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
Steaming
Steaming is another excellent method for cooking chicken pieces in a power pot, resulting in juicy and tender meat. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Set up a steamer by filling it with about an inch of water and placing it over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or herbs, such as garlic, chilli flakes, or thyme.
- Place the chicken pieces in a steamer basket, making sure they are not submerged in water.
- Once the water simmers, place the basket over the water, cover with a lid, and steam for 5 to 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Frying
Frying chicken pieces can create a delicious, crispy exterior. Here's a basic recipe for fried chicken bites:
- Marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of rum, lime juice, soy sauce, and sugar for about 25 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Combine flour, paprika, and salt in a shallow bowl.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, pat it dry, and dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Fry the chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown and cooked through, which should take about 6 to 7 minutes per batch.
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Cooking times for different chicken cuts and quantities
When cooking chicken in a power pot, it's important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the cut and quantity of the chicken. Here are the estimated cooking times for different cuts of chicken:
Boneless Chicken Breasts and Thighs:
For boneless chicken breasts and thighs, the cooking time remains the same. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. This timing works for a batch of boneless chicken weighing between 1.5 to 2 pounds. If you're cooking a larger quantity, such as 3 to 4 pounds, increase the cooking time to 15 minutes. For smaller amounts (1 pound or less), you can decrease the cooking time to 8 minutes.
Chicken Breasts:
The cooking time for chicken breasts can vary depending on their size and whether they are frozen or thawed. Medium-sized chicken breasts, around 8 ounces each, will take about 12 minutes to come to temperature and another 10 to 15 minutes of cook time. If you're using frozen chicken breasts, expect a longer time for the pot to come to temperature, about 15 minutes. The cook time under pressure remains the same for both frozen and thawed chicken.
Whole Chicken:
When cooking a whole chicken in a power pot, the cooking time is generally based on the weight of the chicken. A good rule of thumb is to pressure cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per pound for a thawed chicken. For a frozen chicken, the cooking time increases to 10-12 minutes per pound. After pressure cooking, you can use the air crisp function or an oven's broil function to crisp up the skin. This step will take an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is browned to your liking.
It's important to note that the cooking times mentioned above are general guidelines. The actual cooking time may vary depending on the specific model and settings of your power pot. Always ensure that your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of at least 165°F before consuming it.
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How to make gravy using the chicken broth
Once you've cooked chicken in a power pot, you'll be left with delicious chicken broth. This can be used as a base for gravy, which can be poured over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or any other comfort food. Here's how to make gravy using chicken broth:
First, strain the broth to remove any solids, such as bay leaves and garlic. Then, transfer the broth to a saucepan and place it on medium heat. Let the broth simmer and bubble gently.
Next, it's time to thicken the broth. Create a slurry by mixing a starch, such as cornstarch or potato starch, with cold water. You can also use all-purpose flour if you don't need the gravy to be gluten-free. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering broth, whisking continuously. This process will ensure your gravy achieves the perfect consistency.
To enhance the flavour of the gravy, add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add herbs such as rosemary or thyme for extra depth. Keep whisking the gravy as you add these ingredients.
Finally, let the gravy simmer for a few more moments. As it simmers, it will thicken and set up, becoming a rich and flavourful addition to your meal.
This gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for later use.
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Serving suggestions and meal prep ideas
Once you've cooked your chicken pieces in a power pot, there are endless ways to serve them. Here are some suggestions:
Serving Suggestions
- Salads: Cube your chicken and add it to a chopped salad. You can also shred the chicken for a chicken salad sandwich.
- Wraps: Shredded chicken is perfect for wraps.
- Soups: Chicken pieces can be added to soups for a heartier meal.
- Stir-fry: Stir-fry some veggies and add your chicken pieces for a quick and easy meal.
- Pasta: Chicken can be stirred into cheesy pasta for a comforting dish.
- Dips: Keep it simple by serving your chicken pieces with your favorite dipping sauce, just like chicken nuggets!
- Sandwiches: Use your cooked chicken in sandwiches.
- Last-minute pasta dishes: Toss cooked chicken with your favorite pasta for a quick and easy meal.
- Rice or grain bowls: Build a bowl with rice or grains, veggies, and your cooked chicken.
Meal Prep Ideas
- Cook a batch of chicken pieces in your power pot and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. That way, you'll always have cooked chicken on hand to add to your meals.
- Don't discard the cooking liquid! It's now a flavorful chicken broth that can be used in soups or to upgrade your ramen. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 6 months.
- If you're serving a whole roast chicken, you can make it the centerpiece of your dinner party. Carve it at the table and serve it with hot gravy.
- For a casual get-together, try a family-style meal. Place all the food, including your cooked chicken, on platters in the center of the table and let everyone serve themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 12 minutes for the power pot to come to temperature and another 10 to 15 minutes to cook. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
It is recommended to cut the chicken into equal-sized, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can also season the chicken with salt, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, pepper, or other spices before cooking.
You will need to add at least one cup of liquid such as water or chicken broth/stock to the power pot. This is necessary for the pot to function properly and to ensure that the chicken does not dry out.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in a power pot. However, it will take longer for the pot to come to temperature, and you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
