And the easiest way method for cooking your chicken? In the Instant Pot, of course!
Instant Pot Chicken Is So Easy!
Cooking chicken in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot works similarly to poaching. The biggest difference is that you use less liquid and you can press a button and step away while the pot is doing its thing. The chicken cooks in water, seasoned with salt, bay leaves, and garlic for a little bit of extra flavor. You can add any aromatic spices or vegetables to the water, really, depending on how you want to flavor the meat. Ginger and green onion would be nice if you plan to use the chicken on top of an Asian-style salad, for instance.
New to the Instant Pot? Check out our post How To Use an Instant Pot: A First-Timer’s Guide.
How Long to Cook Chicken in the Instant Pot
Boneless chicken breasts and thighs cook in the same amount of time—just 10 minutes at high pressure will do it! Just be sure to arrange the meat in a single, even layer in the pot, as it cooks more evenly that way. It should reach about halfway up the chicken. This timing works for a 1 1/2 to 2 pound batch of boneless chicken. If you’re cooking more meat (3 to 4 pounds), increase the cooking time to 15 minutes to ensure that it is cooked through. For a smaller amount of meat (1 pound or less), decrease the cooking time to 8 minutes.
Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
Yes, you can cook chicken from frozen! You’ll just need to adjust the cooking time and method a little bit. Take a look at this handy guide for more details:
How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
Ways to Use Cooked Chicken
The cooked chicken can be used in any recipe that calls for precooked chicken. Shred, slice, or cube it as needed, then use it however you like! Tuck a few slices of chicken into a sourdough sandwich, or top a salad to make a light lunch. Toss cubed chicken into a soup or pasta dish. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce or hot sauce for sliders or tacos.
BONUS: Chicken Broth!
As a bonus, cooking chicken this way yields about two cups of chicken broth! Save it in the fridge or freezer for later, use it as a base for a soup, or cook up an extra flavorful batch of rice or quinoa, subbing the broth for water.
More Basic Pressure Cooker Recipes
Easy-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs in the Pressure Cooker Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker Chicken Soup in the Pressure Cooker How to Cook Whole Butternut Squash in the Pressure Cooker How to Cook Potatoes in the Pressure Cooker
If your chicken is frozen, see this post for how to adjust the cooking time. The pressure cooker will take about 10 minutes to come up to full pressure. Cook time begins once it has reached full pressure. Open the pot, then use a digital thermometer to check the thickest part of a piece of chicken—it should be at least 165oF. If the chicken is not quite up to temperature, put the lid back on with the vent closed and cook for another minute or two. If you want to save the cooking liquid (it is now a lightly flavorful chicken broth), strain out the bay leaves and garlic. Transfer to a tightly lidded container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or frozen for up to 6 months.
