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Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

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Instant Pot Chicken Breast – how to cook the best, perfectly juicy and flavorful chicken breast in the pressure cooker. The delicious gravy is a bonus!

You can cook a perfect whole chicken or amazing chicken thighs right in your Instant Pot! This chicken breast recipe is a must-have in the collection.

IP chicken breast Bb Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

INSTANT POT CHICKEN BREAST

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 quick 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 Instant Pot Chicken Breast is a must-try recipe for beginners and pressure cooking fans!

What do you need to make this recipe (your shopping list):

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • chicken stock (or water)
  • minced garlic
  • olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • Italian seasoning
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder

ingredients for IP chicken breast Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

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 for about 3 minutes. 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 trivet inside and arrange the chicken breasts on top.
  • Close the lid and press 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.

IP chicken breast steps Collage Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

Can I use frozen chicken breast for this recipe?

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).

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, chicken thighs are perfect cooked in the Instant Pot. Follow my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs for full instructions.

Can I add potatoes and cook them with the chicken?

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 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.

What to serve with this Chicken Breast?

Since I always make a 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:

For more side dish recipes, feel free to browse our Side Dish Category.

You can serve it chopped or sliced on a salad:

IP chicken breast C Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes:

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken (perfect for meal prep, tacos, enchiladas, etc.)

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with Gravy

Instant Pot Whole Roasted Chicken

Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes.

New to Instant Pot? Make sure to check out our Instant Pot Guide for Beginners and browse our Instant Pot Category for more recipes.

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If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out! 😀

5 from 22 votes
IP chicken breast Bb 150x150 Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Print
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Prep Time
7 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
natural pressure release
5 mins
Total Time
17 mins
 

Learn how to cook perfect juicy and flavorful chicken breast in the pressure cooker. The delicious gravy is a bonus!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Instant Pot chicken breast
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 216 kcal
Author: Anna
Ingredients
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders and Italian seasoning.
  2. Sprinkle over each chicken breast, on each side.
  3. Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot.
  4. Press "saute" setting and wait 2 minutes. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot.
  5. 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.
  6. Remove chicken onto a plate and set aside.
  7. Add minced garlic to the Instant Pot and stir a few times. Let is brown slightly in the leftover oil. Press "cancel/off" button.
  8. 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.
  9. Place trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange all chicken breasts on top.
  10. Close the lid and set valve to "sealing" position. The newer models do it on their own.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Serve chicken with gravy.
Recipe 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 coars sea salt if possible. It will make the gravy very rich. Use 1.5 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.

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Amount Per Serving
Calories 216 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 75mg25%
Sodium 635mg28%
Potassium 502mg14%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 35IU1%
Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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?

    Reply

  2. 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!

    Reply

  3. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  5. 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 🙂

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Reply

  10. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  18. 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. 😉

    Reply

  19. 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?

    Reply

    • 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?

      Reply

  20. 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?

    Reply

  21. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

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