This Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe will show you how to cook the best, perfectly juicy, and flavorful chicken breast in the pressure cooker. The delicious gravy is a bonus!
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Why This Recipe Works
Did you know that you can make a juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken breast in your Instant Pot? It only takes 5 minutes of pressure cooking time and 5 minutes of pressure release. A good sear on each side ensures the chicken breast is juicy and the gravy is flavorful. I love serving the chicken with mashed potatoes and salad or roasted veggies. This recipe is a must-try for beginners and pressure cooking fans!
I used a 6qt Instant Pot to make this dish, but 3qt and 8qt can be used as well. Just make sure to check the amount of liquid needed to build pressure for a specific size of the pot.
Ingredients:
- chicken breasts: boneless skinless, roughly the same size;
- chicken stock: necessary liquid for building up the pressure; if you are not making gravy, use water instead;
- minced garlic: adds flavor since chicken breasts tend to be quite plain;
- olive oil: for browning the chicken, this step adds flavor; avocado or grapeseed oil can be used as well;
- seasoning: kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder.
How to make Instant Pot chicken breast?
- Start by mixing the seasoning in a small bowl and season chicken breasts on both sides.
- Heat up olive oil in the Instant Pot and brown each chicken breast on both sides. This is when you are creating the flavor for the chicken and the gravy so be patient.
- Remove chicken from the pressure cooker and deglaze the bottom of the pot with a little bit of the chicken stock. Scrape any cooked-on bits, there is a ton of flavor there.
- Pour the rest of the chicken stock into the pot. Set the trivet inside and arrange the chicken breasts on top.
- Close the lid and press the manual or pressure cook setting.
- Set timer to 5 minutes (7 minutes for large chicken breasts).
- Once the timer is done, do not flip the pressure valve. Let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the IP and remove chicken and trivet.
- Mix cornstarch with water and add to liquid in the IP. You can cook it for a few minutes on the saute setting. It will thicken into a delicious gravy.
What to serve with this dish?
Since I always make gravy with the liquid left from cooking the chicken breast, I love serving it with mashed potatoes and stuffing or salad. More side dishes to serve along with this chicken breast:
- Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- The Best Roasted Broccoli
- Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Easy Mashed Cauliflower (for a perfect low-carb meal)
You can serve it chopped or sliced on a salad:
Best Tips!
- Do not release the pressure manually. If you switch the valve to venting after the cooking cycle ends, all the moisture from the chicken will be sucked out and the meat will be dry. Always wait for the pressure to release naturally when cooking meat in the Instant Pot.
- Be patient when browning the chicken. If you are trying to flip the meat and it seems stuck to the pot, that means it's not ready to be flipped. Wait. Be patient. This step builds flavor for the chicken but also for the gravy.
- Do not add hot water to cornstarch. To make the slurry for gravy, mix cold water with cornstarch until there are no clumps visible. If you add hot water, the cornstarch will cook and clump up.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, chicken thighs are perfectly cooked in the Instant Pot. Follow my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs for full instructions.
I do not recommend using frozen chicken breast because frozen meat can't be browned and you won't have the delicious flavor on chicken and the gravy. If you want to cook frozen chicken breast and don't care for the gravy, simply place frozen meat on a trivet, add chicken stock to the bottom of the pot and cook for 2 to 4 minutes longer than the fresh chicken breast. The Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure (up to 12 minutes).
Any leftovers should be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can use them to make a variety of dishes. To reheat, use a microwave or stove.
Yes, you can add cut-up potatoes and arrange them in the liquid. Use a mix of water and stock. Once the cooking time is over, remove the chicken and trivet and mash the potatoes right in the pot. You can also add baby potatoes, cut in half, around the chicken on a trivet, and still make the gravy from the liquid.
Absolutely! The steps are the same, except you may need less liquid for the Instant Pot to build up pressure. Check the instruction manual for the exact number of ounces needed.
More Instant Pot recipes:
For more recipes using the digital pressure cooker, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category. Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken stock or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders and Italian seasoning.
- Sprinkle over each chicken breast, on each side.
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot.
- Press "saute" setting and wait 2 minutes. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Place chicken breast in the pot and brown on each side for about 3 minutes. This is when you are creating the flavor so be patient.
- Remove chicken onto a plate and set aside.
- Add minced garlic to the Instant Pot and stir a few times. Let is brown slightly in the leftover oil. Press "cancel/off" button.
- Add 1/4 cup of the chicken stock to the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom by scraping any cooked on bits with a wooden spoon. Add remaining stock to the pot.
- Place trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange all chicken breasts on top.
- Close the lid and set valve to "sealing" position. The newer models do it on their own.
- Make sure the Instant Pot is set to cook at HIGH pressure. Press "manual" setting and set timer to 5 minutes. The IP will beep after a few seconds and it will start coming to pressure. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Once the timer is done, press "cancel/off" button and do not flip the sealing valve. Let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturaly. It will take about 5 minutes. Carefully open the lid away from your face (there will be some steam left in the pot). Remove the chicken onto a plate and set aside. Remove trivet from Instant Pot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Add to the liquid remaining in the pot. Whisk well. You can press "saute" setting and cook it for a minute or two until thickened.
- Serve chicken with gravy.
Notes
- The 5 minutes of cooking time is perfect for chicken breast between 6 and 8 ounces. If your chicken breasts are larger (up to 12 ounces), add 2 more minutes of cooking time.
- If you don't want to make gravy, you can use water for the liquid required for pressure cooking.
- You can adjust seasoning to your liking, by adding your favorite spices. I recommend using coarse sea salt if possible. It will make the gravy very rich. Use 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, if possible.
- We are using garlic twice: one to season the chicken and one to make a flavorful base for the gravy.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Susie says
My family all enjoyed it! The only thing I did differently was I flattened the chicken breast a little bit. I will make it again!
Cheryl says
Wondering why mine came out chewy. 6 oz breast, 2 c Chicken broth, 6 min.
It also took 8 minutes to come off the pressure by itself. Please advise so mine can be awesome like everybody else's 😊
Shay says
Awesome recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Destini Sheppard says
Great recipe enjoyed it very much the kids loved the gravy with the rice.
Anna says
Thank you, Destini!
Lori says
I made this last night for dinner. This is the second Instapot recipe I've tried for juicy chicken breasts. This one actually led to juicy chicken that everyone in my family really enjoyed, even my picky spouse. I saved this recipe for regular use. Thanks!
Ashley says
I don't have a trivet😳... Is it okay to just cook them in the bottom of the pot in the broth??
Vickie says
Fast, easy & oh so tasty - what more could you ask for.
April says
This was so delicious and easy! I typically won't take the time needed for searing the chicken breasts at first so thanks for the reminder to be patient (I even set a timer for 3 min each side so I would actually do it lol). So yummy!
Cynthia G. says
When it comes to boneless, skinless chicken breasts, my husband is hard to please; he always thinks they’re dry. These were easy to make, tender, juicy, and delicious. I will definitely be making this again, and I’ve already passed it on. Thank you.
Kenny says
This was my very first time cooking anything in my new Presto pressure cooker. I did my own spices but did the rest exactly the same. What a game-changer! Thank you so much for sharing! It turned out so tender and juicy and delicious! I will never cook chicken breasts any other way again!
James says
New to using an instant pot. This recipe is fail safe if you follow the instruction. Used flour instead of corn starch and added about 1/2 cup of chicken broth to make the gravy. Turned out nice.
Liz says
Wanted a quick and easy recipe so I had to try this for dinner and wow it was yummy! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was fantastic. I threw some onions in with the gravy when it was cooking and had it all with a side of mashed potatoes. It made for a fast, filling, easy, and delicious dinner. Couldn't ask for a better recipe!
Charlotte says
I googled instant pot and chicken breast and this recipe appeared. So easy and delicious. Cooked my chicken for 5 minutes and it stayed moist and delicious. Will definitely make again.
Audrey says
Found this recipe yesterday and made it today. Why did I wait so long? This recipe is outstanding! I’ll definitely be making it again. I had two large chicken breasts which I cooked for seven minutes per your notes. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was wonderful! The directions were very clear and easy to follow.
April says
Yummy!
This recipe was so yummy. I had 4 pretty large chicken breast so did the searing on Saute first as directed (I usually skip that part) but it was worth it. Cooked them for 8 min on high with 10 min on NPR (I had left the room and was late getting back to them lol) So they were like 180F but still very juicy. And the gravy was delicious! These chicken breast with basmati rice and steamed green beans made our lunches this week for the me and the hubby. Thank you!
Anna says
Thank you so much, April! I am so glad the recipe was a success!
Kim says
Since you used four chicken breasts, did you double any of the other ingredients?
Ashley says
This was fantastic and incredibly easy. The chicken was so moist and the flavors were perfect. Thank you for the recipe!
Candace says
I’ve made this twice since Friday. This t8me added little gold potatoes and mushrooms. Family loves it. New to IP this is the only meal I’ve made in it so far. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Brucia says
When did you add the potatoes?
Caryl says
Found your recipe online. Making chicken salad. I added some other spices, basil, oregano. Just finished cooking. Smells De-Lish. Thank you 😊
Anna says
Thank you so much, Caryl!
Pat says
Perfection! Easy and delicious! This will be a regular at our house. My husband licked the plate as well.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS says
found your web page yesterday ,And made this chicken breast with the gravy , result GREAT VERY TASTY .
Anna says
I am so glad! Thank you, Michael!
Anna says
That's fantastic! Thank you, Pat!
Susan A. Wolfe says
I am a newbie to Insta Pot cooking and I have found that you have the BEST and simplest recipes They have been really easy for me to try and so tasty!! There are only TWO of us as we are retired, so most of your recipes give us some left-overs.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS ONLINE!! I hate to accumulate cookbooks for only one or two favorite recipes.
Shari says
Can I use chicken broth in place of chicken stock? It’s what I have on hand.
Anna says
Hi Shari! Yep, that will work! I hope you love the chicken!
Nita says
Great recipe with breast and easy to follow. Can you make this with tenders and if so, how long would you cook for?
Karina says
Great, detailed, yet easy-to-follow instructions. This is now my go-to for Instant Pot chicken breasts, whether I'm using them as-is, or incorporating them into another recipe that calls for chicken breasts. I change up the seasonings, each time I've made this and the it always comes out moist, juicy and delicious! Thank you!
Chelle Thompson says
I make this recipe all the time and freeze the chicken for sandwiches, quesadillas or whatever. It is very tasty & moist.
Wendie says
I don't have boneless chicken breast but bone in. Can I use them instead of the boneless?
Becky says
This was my very first time cooking anything in my new Presto pressure cooker. I did my own spices but did the rest exactly the same. What a game-changer! Thank you so much for sharing! It turned out so tender and juicy and delicious! I will never cook chicken breasts any other way again!
Anna says
I am so glad it was a success! Thank you, Becky!
Jenne Bryant says
Yummy and Easy!
Meagan says
This was the first recipe I made with my InstaPot, and it was amazing! I’d give 5 stars for the gravy alone, my husband is obsessed. Thank you for sharing this, it was super easy to follow 👍🏻
Susan says
This is SO SIMPLE !!
And QUICK !!
The GRAVY is hands down a Blue ribbon ✅. (I even licked the plate)
Thank you for sharing 💕
Matthew says
I want to double this recipe, do i need to add time for that. If so how much. Thanks.
Robert Lerum says
I'm doing this for the 2nd time , the only thing I have done different is put a dry rub on the breasts instead of the Italian seasoning plus the spices that you used. Also did P-P some rice.. fingers crossed... it worked thanks
Samantha says
This recipe was fantastic!!! My husband loved it-moist, tender, and perfectly timed… Thank you.
Janelle says
I am super new to Instant Pot recipes, but this was sooooooo simple and absolutely perfect. The chicken was juicy. I think I accidentally added too much black pepper simply because I misread the recipe, but it still turned out fantastic. After this was cooked, I grabbed frozen steamer broccoli and packaged brown rice with quinoa. Heated those up in a few minutes and added it all together for an awesome meal prep. I have 4 meals ready to go and leftover chicken for a go to wrap or high protein snack. Thank you so much! Love this recipe! WILL BE USING IT LIKE ALL THE TIME.
Cindy says
Can you use frozen boneless skinless chicken breast with this recipe or do you need to defrost them first?
Anna says
Hi Cindy! You won't be able to brown frozen chicken breast, so the flavors won't be the same.
Christine Zeppa says
Hi Cindy,
I’ve made this 2 times with Thin sliced frozen chicken breasts from Costco. It turns out great!
I sprinkle the herbs right on the frozen chicken and brown on the sauté mode. It just takes a bit longer to brown, but it works just fine. I then cooked my 4 chicken breast for 12 min. And it came out perfect! It’s super easy on those busy nights you forget to go to the store and all you have are from zen chicken breast from Costco. Thanks for the recipe!
Chris ~
Debbie W says
What a wonderful recipe, my two guys in the house loved it. So simple, moist & delicious. Next time I might try adding potatoes. Thank you!!
Ronda says
This is the best way to cook chicken breasts! It comes out flavorful and juicy, nom nom nom.
Abigail says
Hi, it took longer than 5 minutes for it to naturally release. I’ve been waiting 30 minutes and it still hasn’t finished naturally releasing. I’m supposed to wait until the silver thing pops up right? Please help
Ash says
Wait 5 mins than flip the sealing valve (to venting) and wait until it pops to open it.
Donna says
I did the same thing the first time I used the IP. I learned that I had to turn the Keep Warm function off or it would never release pressure naturally.
Tammy says
Made this tonight and love how quick and easy it was. It is my opinion the gravy was too salty but that is my only complaint. The chicken was moist and flavorful and my husband can't say enough about it. Thanks for sharing!
Grace says
Hi. We have a large family. Can you cook 8-10 chicken breast all at once??? Or do I need to cook them in different batches??
Maureen Dudics says
Excellent recipe!! My husband loved it. There were NO leftovers! Great instructions. Simple ingredients. This will become a once a week favorite. Thank you!
Pamela Stec says
I made this tonight and it is hands down the best thing I have made in my IP since I bought it 2 weeks ago. I followed the recipe exactly, using 4 chicken breasts and adding the 2 minutes as suggested. I wouldn't change a thing!!
I can't wait until we can have company again so I can show off my new IP skills.
Debra says
Just made this recipe and omg it's so delicious. I added baby potatoes on top of the chicken then made gravy out of the broth. This will be a staple in our home. Yummy!!!
Angie says
My family devoured this chicken, delicious! I made it with your mashed potato recipe. Will definitely be a new regular on the menu. Thank you!!
Anna says
Yay! I love that! Thank you so much, Angie!
Rutchell says
I don’t usually leave a review, but this one deserves its rating. It’s super easy, quick and yummy! All the ingredients I already had. Even my girls who are both super picky loved it. I fixed some knorr instant chicken & rice with it and a pack of frozen broccoli Normandy = yummy dinner in probably less than 30 minutes. Everyone enjoyed it.
Monica says
I've had this recipe saved for a while. I dont know why I didnt try it sooner. It was amazing
Anna says
I am so glad you love it, Monica! Thank you so much for giving it a try!
Ishtar says
The first time I made this recipe, I didn't let the pressure self release. Made it again last night and OMG what a difference it made. The chicken was so tender and delicious!!!! This one's a keeper!
Karen Tolbert says
Great recipe! The only exception for me was I used half the amount of Italian seasoning. So tender and flavorful!! Definitely a repeat. Thank you!
Marnie says
I just made this recipe in my Instant Pot - easy & delicious. The chicken breasts were so tender and juicy! Definitely a "keeper" recipe., good enough to serve to company. Thanks for sharing it.
Anna says
Yay! That's wonderful, Marnie! Thank you for trying my recipe!
Ishtar says
there is a "poultry" setting on my IP, should I use the "poultry" setting or the high pressure setting for this recipe?
Stephanie says
Could I add rice in the liquid instead of potatoes? Thanks!
Kathy U says
Instead of what potatoes?
Cindy S. says
This was delicious! I also liked the suggestion of adding potatoes (rice would be good too) but was wondering if the amount of liquid needed to be adjusted.
Dirk says
When you say "Place chicken breast in the pot and brown on each side for about 3 minutes", is that a TOTAL of 3 minutes, or 3 minutes on each side?
Sherri says
I understood it to be 3 minutes. That’s what I did and it browned perfect. I had to add a little more oil halfway through the sauté-ing.
charles h poyner says
Says 3 minutes each side in recipe..Gonna try this tonight
Naomi Brady says
This came out SO well! The gravy was so yummy! I doubled the whole recipe and added some kosher salt to the gravy. Super easy and fast dinner for the whole fam!
Leah says
Did you change the cooking time when you doubled the recipe?
Christina says
I’ve had my IP for about 3 years and could not get chicken breast to turn out delicious... until your recipe. Thank you! Made this last night using 4 large breasts from Costco and doubled the gravy (added 1 more cup of bone broth and added an additional corn starch slurry after the 5 min NPR). Even with the extra piece of meat, there was enough seasoning. Again, thank you!
Anna says
Hi Christina! That is absolutely wonderful! I am so glad the recipe was a hit. Thank you so much for giving it a try!
vickie jones says
What if I don't have the insert? Thanks Vickie
Anna says
Hi Vickie! The insert is the stainless steel pot that you cook in. If you don't have that, you can't use the pressure cooker. If you mean the trivet, the wire stand that you use inside the insert, then you can use a couple of forks (that's what other readers suggested before) or balls of aluminum foil. I hope this helps!
Lyss says
Just got an IP for Christmas and want to try it out with this recipe. If I have only two chicken breasts do I cook the same amount of time you state or a little less? Thank you in advance 🙂
Anna says
Hi Lyss! The cooking time stays the same.
Lisa says
This was amazing! Super easy to make. It was only the 2nd Instant Pot meal I’ve made and I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Anna says
Thank you for giving it a try, Lisa! I am so glad it was a hit!
Sharon says
Can I do more than three chicken breasts and if so, how do I adjust the time?
Thanks
Melisisa says
This was the juiciest chicken breast I have ever made Delicious!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Melissa!
Emilia Langelan says
What would the time be if using boneless, skinless thighs? All I have in fridge.
Stephanie says
We do not like to eat a really thick chicken breast, so I prefer to filet them. Would this affect the cooking time of the chicken? Thanks in advance!
IM says
Thinking of buying an insta pot. There is only two of us. Is 3 quart sufficient, most recipes don’t mention the size. Thank you. Im
Malinda Penman says
I would consider buying a 6 quart. The 3 quart is really small.
Rodger says
I have a 3qt and a 6qt. I most definitely would purchase the 6qt. There will be times the 3qt is not adequate.
Ed Adams says
There is only 2 us as well. Trust me you want the 6qt . You can do a lot with the insta pot in a fraction of the time of the old crockpot. Roast, cornbeef, pork roast you name it if you made it in a crockpot you can do it and more with it.
Treeva says
I recently purchased a 6 qt and
I had the same question. Glad I got the larger but my friend loves her 8 qt to have more leftovers. Love my IP Duo Evo Plus that has new features.
Trish says
A 6 qt. works perfect for the 2 of us. And we can have leftovers or invite friends for dinner.
Jane says
I am recovering from a lower back issue and haven't been cooking very much. Today I felt better and looked for an easy chicken recipe to cook in the IP. Despite the quick cooking time in the IP, many recipes require lots of prep, and I just can't be bent over a kitchen counter or sit on a chair for any length of time. I found your recipe and it was dead easy to put together. Whew! I had left over rice in the refrigerator to warm up and frozen lima beans to defrost. The meal came together effortlessly and the spices on the chicken with the gravy made the whole meal taste very special. Mr. Picky practically licked his plate clean! I always ask him if a new recipe is a keeper or just OK. He rated this one a definite keeper based on taste. I also rate it a keeper because for very little effort I can make a very flavorful chicken dinner. I made no substitutions or additions to your recipe, and I was happy I stuck to your ingredients. Thanks for an easy, delicious recipe we will enjoy even after my back heals!
Anna says
Hi Jane! First of all, I am sorry you are dealing with a back issue. I hope you feel better soon! Second, thank you for trying my recipe. I am so happy to know you both enjoyed it! That's wonderful! Have a beautiful day!
David Chandler says
Been there...done that...yum!! What a great, simple recipe. Tender and quick!!
Anna says
Thank you so much, David!
Beth says
I love my Instant Pot and all of the recipes I can cook in it! The chicken comes out so tender! Just perfect!
Anna says
Thank you, Beth!
Matt Taylor says
I love Instant Pot recipes and this chicken one is so amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Anna says
Thanks, Matt!
Katie says
LOVE using the instant pot to cook chicken! So easy and tasty!
Jennifer says
LOVE instant pot chicken recipes! They always come out SO good! Can't wait to try this one!
Krissy Allori says
These were great. Juicy and delicious. I'll be adding this to my usual menu.
Tom says
Amazing recipe! I made it for dinner tonight and thought I was eating at a really nice restaurant, not my house!!! Thanks for posting this. It's going into my all time favorites. 😉
Anna says
Hi Tom! I am so happy to know you like this recipe. What a compliment! Thank you so much!
Patti says
We followed instructions and set timer for 5 minutes for breasts. Minutes never decreased and then flashed "burn food". So we hit cancel button. What went wrong?
Anna says
Hi Patti! Either the bottom of the pan still had cooked on food on the bottom or there was not enough liquid. What size of Instant Pot are you using?
Janet says
Thanks so much for posting this! Your site made me finally take my Instant Pot off the shelf and use it. One question: if doubling a recipe (such as this one), how much extra time should I set on the IP? Or does the amount of time not matter, it will all cook anyway?
Patrick says
No extra time when doubling recipe.
Linda Petrick says
I just purchased my first INSTANT POT. Silly, but I'm a little intimidated....
I plan to use it for the first time tonight.....Yikes !!!
Your tips are a huge help. I'll keep you posted.
Linda from NJ
Anna says
You got this, Linda! I hope you love the chicken!
Julie says
I love making chicken in my instapot! This is so easy and delicious!
Sara Welch says
I love all the delicious recipes I can make with my Instant Pot and this is no exception! So much flavor and easy too! Yum!
Kristina says
Great recipe! I didn’t have any garlic on hand to mince, so I skipped that step but it still had tons of flavor. Will be definitely be making it again!
Jessica says
Everybody needs to know this!
Anna says
Thanks, Jessica!
Emily says
I was really skeptical of cooking chicken fast, but these were so tender and delicious!
Anna says
I am so glad they were a hit! Thanks, Emily!
Joan says
I'm new at using the instant pot and would love to make this recipe. The chicken breasts I have are only 4 oz each. How many minutes should I pressure cook them, and would I then do a natural release?
Melissa says
Great recipe! So easy to make!