The best chicken breast instant pot recipe should be easy to make yet delicious. A quick saute on the saute setting is enough to start the gravy. For a richer gravy, add water and cornstarch. If you don’t want to make gravy, you can omit the cornstarch and use water instead.
In either case, be sure to check the seasoning. A pinch of coarse sea salt will go a long way. You can cook the chicken breast whole or dice it to make it into smaller pieces. Then, shred it using two forks or a hand mixer set to medium speed. When it’s done, you can store the shredded chicken breast in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Chicken breasts cooked in the Instant Pot require just five ingredients and take about 30 minutes. Pressure cooking cooks the chicken and thickens the sauce for the best flavor. The timing depends on the size of your chicken breasts. If you use small breasts, cook them for about eight minutes. On the other hand, larger breasts should be cooked for eleven minutes. So, you can easily prepare delicious meals using chicken breasts and a little creativity.
Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts
What is Chicken Breast?
Chicken breast is known for its juicy, tender meat worldwide. Chicken breast is the meat from the chicken’s breast, as the name implies. It is usually sold boneless and consists of a single bone. Chicken breasts are a rich source of lean protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron, and the wholesome meat they provide.
Because chicken breasts are such a versatile cut, they’re extremely popular. Chicken breasts are well-known for their high protein content, and it is a popular choice among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and dieters. Skinless chicken breasts are a good way to save calories, and it also contains a lot of vitamins A, C, and D.
Another nutritional benefit of eating chicken breast is that it contains a high amount of Vitamin B6, beneficial if consumed regularly.
Can you Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot?
The Best Chicken Breast Instant Pot Recipe
On the outside, golden and flecked with herbs, juicy and tender on the inside: Isn’t this everything you’re looking for in a dinner? This is the perfect recipe for tonight if you’re busy running around the house doing other things. These chicken breasts practically cook themselves with only 10 minutes of hands-on time, and it’s also a meal-prep dream come true! Make a large batch of tender chicken breasts and use them in various dishes throughout the week.
Ingredients
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1 tsp. Dried dill
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1/2 tsp. Paprika
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1/2 tsp. Dried chives
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1/4 tsp. Onion powder
- Four boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb.)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 c. Low-sodium chicken broth
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine spices. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté setting and heat oil. Once hot, add chicken breasts. Working in batches, sear chicken on both sides until golden, 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle both sides of chicken with spice mixture.
- Turn off Instant Pot and add broth to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape and deglaze the bottom of the pot. Place trivet in a pot and arrange chicken on top. Lock lid and set to Pressure Cook on high for 5 minutes.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guide for quick release, making sure to wait until the cycle is complete before unlocking and removing the lid.
- Serve chicken with broth spooned over the top.
Can you Overcook a Chicken in an Instant Pot?
However, when there is too much cooking liquid in the Instant Pot, the cooking time will increase (both time to get up to pressure & Natural Release time). This may result in the food being overcooked. Furthermore, too much cooking liquid dilutes seasoning, resulting in a bland dish.
Overcooked chicken breast isn’t anyone’s favorite thing, but it’s a little easier to avoid in the Instant Pot because the steam creates a moist environment for the chicken to cook in. Don’t undercook the chicken breasts — they’re too dangerous to eat raw!
How Should I Add Flavor to my Chicken Breast?
Every night of the week, chicken breast is a great ingredient. However, because the chicken’s bone and skin have been removed, it can be bland when cooked. So we’ve compiled a list of quick and easy recipe ideas to transform a plain chicken breast into a delectable meal!
Marinate your Chicken Breast
Marinating your chicken breasts is a great way to flavor and tenderize them simultaneously! You’re only limited by your imagination to create the perfect marinade!
- Greek marinade: For a classic Greek flavor combination, mix lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and oregano with some olive oil, then place your chicken breast in the marinade to infuse. It’s that easy! This marinade is perfect if you want to grill or pan-fry your chicken.
- Moroccan spices: Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure. This Middle Eastern spice rub is delicious when charred on the grill.
- Maple glaze: This is the marinade if you have a sweet tooth! Mix maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice with chicken stock, then cook it on low heat and thicken until it becomes a beautiful glaze. Once reduced, rub the glaze over your chicken breast and let it infuse. Don’t forget to put some aside to pour over your chicken when cooking for even more flavor!
Remember, it’s best to marinate your chicken breast overnight to give the flavors time to infuse. A faster way to add flavor is to brine your chicken breast in salty water before cooking, and this will help tenderize the meat and add extra flavor.
Crumbed Chicken Breast
Breading or crumbing a chicken breast entails dredging it in flour, then dipping it in an egg wash before coating it in crumbs. This coating prevents the chicken from drying out during the cooking process, resulting in succulent, perfectly cooked chicken breasts every time.
- Chicken Schnitzel: The dish that we all know and love when we think of crumbed chicken has got to be the classic Chicken Schnitzel. Pounded with a meat tenderizer to ensure that it’s an even thickness all over for a constant cook and fried in oil, Schnitzels have stood the test of time as a classic whether at home or the local pub!
- Panko: If you want to get a little fancy with your breadcrumbs, give Panko a go. Panko breadcrumbs are used in many fried Asian dishes and are made exclusively from white bread without the crusts. The bread is flaked before drying to increase aeration and ultimately crunchiness when used in cooking. When used on your chicken breasts, a crispier shell with a lot more crunch while the meat inside is still perfectly tender and protected.
- Coconut flakes: This technique is the same as other crumbing methods but uses coconut extracts in place of flour and bread! First, coat the chicken breast in coconut flour, then dip it into a mixture of coconut milk & eggs before finally rolling it in shredded coconut. Fry these off in coconut oil, and you’ll be whisked away to a tropical paradise, even if it’s only while you’re eating dinner!
Stuffed Chicken Breast
Stuffed chicken breasts add flavor to the meat while it cooks, but they can also be a pleasant surprise at a dinner party. Slice the thickest part of the chicken breast to make room for the stuffings, then secure everything with kitchen twine while roasting in the oven.
- Medjool dates & fresh herbs: The sweetness of the dates and the fragrance from the fresh herbs makes this stuffing so delectable that your guests will be asking for seconds! First, cook a diced onion and set it aside. Then roughly chop a handful of pitted Medjool dates, pistachio nuts, and fresh herbs such as parsley and sage. Mix with breadcrumbs and the cooked onion and stuff into your chicken breast before baking.
- Brie and prosciutto with fresh tarragon: This stuffing is as delicious as it sounds and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Wrap a small slice of prosciutto around a piece of brie, then tuck inside the chicken breast and some fresh tarragon. The prosciutto will helps keep contain the brie as it melts so that it oozes out once your chicken breast is fully baked.
What Size of the Instant Pot Should I Use?
You can use any size instant pot for cooking chicken breasts. Just make sure there’s at least 1 cup of liquid in the pot, and then arrange the chicken in a single layer. If you only have a small instant pot, cook your chicken in batches to stay in single layers. Keep in mind that if you have a larger instant pot, it will take a little longer to come to pressure before cooking can begin.
Although most recipes are written for that size, the 6-quart Instant Pot is the most popular choice among home cooks. A meal cooked in a 6-quart model usually serves three to six people. The 8-quart models, on the other hand, are ideal for feeding a large family, hosting a party, or preparing meals every week.
Conclusion
The best instant pot chicken breast recipes are adaptable, delicious, and forgiving. They can be cooked fresh or frozen in the Instant Pot and added to your favorite recipes, and you can eat them on their own or with your favorite sides. Chicken breasts are a staple in most households, whether they’re eaten raw or cooked. Aside from chicken breasts, these delectable chicken meals are quick and simple to prepare.
Chicken breasts cooked in the Instant Pot are juicy and tender. It only takes five minutes to cook under pressure and release the steam, and it comes out moist and flavorful thanks to a quick sear on both sides of the breast. Serve with mashed potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables as a side dish. You will not be dissatisfied. This is a great recipe to try if you want to make a whole chicken in the Instant Pot.
