Tillie Doyle
Cooking chicken in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to prepare chicken breasts that can be used in a variety of dishes. The instant pot can cook both fresh and frozen chicken, and the cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. The pot will take longer to come to pressure if you are cooking more chicken or larger pieces. The chicken should be cooked on high pressure for around 10 minutes, depending on the size and whether it is fresh or frozen, and then allowed to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes before releasing any remaining steam. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken Type | Chicken breasts |
| Chicken State | Fresh or frozen |
| Chicken Temperature | Internal temperature of 165° F |
| Chicken Size | Medium (about 8 ounces) each |
| Chicken Seasoning | Salt and pepper |
| Chicken Cook Time | 8-12 minutes |
| Chicken Cook Time (Frozen) | 10-12 minutes |
| Chicken Cook Time (Thickness) | Under 2" thickness: 8 minutes; Over 2" thickness: 10 minutes |
| Chicken Cook Time (Size) | Small: 11-12 minutes; Medium: 13-14 minutes; Large: 16 minutes |
| Liquid | 1 cup of water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice |
| Cook Setting | High pressure |
| Pressure Release | Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 5 minutes, then release remaining pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times for fresh chicken breasts
To cook fresh chicken breasts in an instant pot, first, add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot. You can use water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice. Place the chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and add any other desired seasonings. Secure the lid and make sure the vent is set to "sealed".
The pressure cooking time depends on the thickness of the breasts. For chicken breasts that are under 2" in thickness, cook for 8 minutes. For chicken breasts that are over 2" in thickness, cook for 10 minutes. If you are cooking multiple breasts, it is recommended to separate any thicker breasts from thinner ones and adjust the cooking time accordingly. The cook time stays the same no matter how much chicken you add to the pot, but the pot will take longer to come to pressure.
After pressure cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining steam. If desired, test the chicken with a thermometer; it should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If the chicken is not yet cooked through, place the lid back on and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before testing again.
Once the chicken is cooked, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before cutting or shredding. If you are using the chicken for shredded chicken recipes, leave about 1/2 cup of liquid at the bottom of the pot.
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Cooking times for frozen chicken breasts
Cooking frozen chicken breasts in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to prepare chicken that can be used in a variety of dishes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts and how many you are cooking at once. It's important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, but not overcooked to avoid dryness.
Firstly, prepare your Instant Pot by adding at least 1 cup of liquid—this can be water, chicken broth, or even pineapple or apple juice. You can also add seasonings, sauces, or spices to the liquid to infuse extra flavour into the chicken. Place the trivet at the bottom of the pot and put the chicken breasts on top in a single layer. If you don't have a trivet, you can place the chicken directly into the liquid or create a makeshift rack with aluminium foil.
Secure the lid and ensure the vent is set to "sealed". For chicken breasts under 2 inches in thickness, pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. For thicker chicken breasts, increase the cooking time to 10 minutes. If you are cooking multiple chicken breasts, it's best to ensure they are of similar sizes to guarantee even cooking. The cooking time remains the same regardless of the number of chicken breasts, but it will take longer for the pot to come to pressure.
Once the timer beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 5 minutes, then turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining steam. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer; it should have reached 165°F. If the chicken hasn't reached this temperature, secure the lid again and cook for an additional 1-3 minutes on high pressure. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting or shredding.
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Shredding chicken
If you are looking for a more hands-off approach, you can use a stand mixer to shred the chicken. Simply place the cooked chicken in the stand mixer and turn it on low speed until the chicken is shredded to your desired consistency.
Another option is to use a food processor. Place the cooked chicken in the food processor and pulse until the chicken is shredded to your liking.
Finally, you can also shred chicken by hand. This method is more time-consuming but can be effective if you are looking for a more textured shred. Simply use your fingers to pull the chicken apart into shreds.
Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked through before shredding. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe for consumption.
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Seasoning and flavouring
Some recipes suggest adding spices or dry rubs to the chicken before cooking. You can also add citrus flavours. If you are cooking chicken breasts in broth, you can add flavour by using chicken broth or water, or you can use different juices such as pineapple or apple juice for added sweetness.
If you are cooking shredded chicken, you can add flavour by using chicken broth or water, and then adding sauces or salsas to the cooked chicken. You can also add flavour by using an Air Fryer Lid to get a crispier finish.
If you are cooking chicken breasts, you can season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then cook it on a trivet with chicken broth or water. You can also cook chicken breasts directly in the liquid, or you can use a make-shift rack made of aluminium foil on the bottom of the pot.
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Using the instant pot's settings
To cook chicken in an instant pot, you will need to use the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' setting.
First, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and add any other seasonings you like. Then, add at least 1 cup of liquid to the inner pot of the instant pot. You can use water, chicken broth, or even pineapple or apple juice. Place the chicken breasts in the liquid, or alternatively, place them on the trivet that comes with the instant pot, adding the liquid around the chicken.
Secure the lid and ensure the vent is set to 'sealed'. Set the instant pot to 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' and use the +/- buttons to adjust the time. For fresh chicken breasts, pressure cook on high for 8-10 minutes, and for frozen chicken, pressure cook for 10-12 minutes. The cook time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts. For chicken breasts under 2" thick, cook for 8 minutes, and for those over 2" thick, cook for 10 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, perform a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, and then turn the valve to 'venting' to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If the chicken is not fully cooked, you can secure the lid again and cook for a few more minutes.
You can also use the instant pot to achieve a crispier finish. After pressure cooking, swap out the pressure cooker lid for an air fryer lid and cook for 1 minute, or sauté for 1 minute on each side.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 12 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to temperature, and then another 10 to 15 minutes of cook time. The cook time will depend on the type of chicken being cooked and whether it is fresh or frozen.
It is recommended to add at least 1 cup of liquid to the Instant Pot when cooking chicken. The liquid can be water, chicken broth, or juice.
The chicken can be seasoned with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings. It should then be placed in the Instant Pot on top of a trivet or steamer basket, with the liquid added to the pot.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer. After cooking, the pressure should be released naturally for about 5 minutes, and then the valve can be manually released.
