The JUICIEST Instant Pot Chicken Breast! Made with an all purpose seasoning and one secret ingredient, this is the perfect pressure cooker chicken breast!
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Summer is getting nearer (do I say that in every post these days??), and I’m all about stocking the fridge with the essentials to make meals easy so we can enjoy the sunshine.
Ever since I started experimenting to perfect my Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe, I knew there needed to be a pressure cooker version.
And this right here? This is the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breast.
I’m bringing my one secret ingredient over from my slow cooker chicken recipe, and let me tell you — it makes all the difference!
As much as we love these Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts, I love having a good database of simple, versatile protein recipes that can be made into a variety of different meals.
For that reason, these Instant Pot Chicken breasts are simply seasoned, and even though they are incredibly delicious as is, they can easily take on any flavor you want to add.
Need to cook right from frozen? Check out my tips on How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot!
Looking for more easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Whole Chicken, Instant Pot Spaghetti, Garlic Herb Instant Pot Potatoes or my Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
Reasons to love this Instant Pot Chicken Breast:
- It’s easy to make — just dump, start and go! Let the pressure release naturally, pop open the lid and you have an amazing dinner or perfectly cooked chicken for salads and sandwiches throughout the week.
- It’s versatile — like I mentioned above, it’s great cold in sandwiches and salads, but it’s also awesome tossed into soup, pasta, or any casserole, and can be easily reheated with a sauce of your choosing to make it something new (we are big on reinventing leftovers here)
- It’s healthy — don’t get all worked up over the one dab of butter or margarine — our bodies need a little fat and this Instant Pot Chicken Breast is a high protein, relatively low fat and low calorie addition to any meal
How to make the juiciest Instant Pot Chicken Breasts:
The secret ingredient:
That little bit of butter goes a long way to making these chicken breasts incredibly moist and flavorful! It’s a simple addition that makes all the difference.
How long to cook Instant Pot Chicken Breast:
- Don’t overcook — overcooked chicken breast is not anyone’s favorite thing, but is somewhat difficult to do in the Instant Pot because the steam provides such a moist environment for the chicken to cook in.
- Don’t undercook — undercooked chicken breast is just plain dangerous! Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s at least 165 degrees F.
- The exact cook time is going to depend on a variety of things, including the size and shape (how thick it is at the widest point), and also the model of Instant Pot you have, as some run hotter or cooler. My recipes are tested in the 6 quart model with Bluetooth. It’s important to take these these factors into consideration but I find a cook time of 8-10 minutes is always perfect and juicy for the chicken
Choose good quality meat:
- Choose your chicken well — not all chicken, and not all grocery store meat departments, are created equally. If you’re having trouble making juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breast, you may want to test out a couple different brands to see which turns out best.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast Variations:
- Chicken is one of my favorite proteins because it can take on a wide variety of spices, seasonings and sauces! Mix things up with your seasoning blend or use a bottled blend that you love for a new flair.
- Try this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken for taco night!
- Slice and toss in barbecue sauce for easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken.
- Got frozen chicken? Check out how to cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot here.
- This seasoning blend and cooking method works just as well for a combination or breasts and thighs — if you have a chicken thigh lover, toss in some boneless, skinless chicken thighs with your breasts and everyone is happy!
What to serve with chicken breasts:
- Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- No Mayo Garlic Herb Potato Salad
- Layered Broccoli Salad
- Easy Potato Salad Recipe
Tools you’ll need to make this Instant Pot chicken recipe:
- My recipes are tested in my 6 quart Instant Pot — it’s an older version and for this reason the manual lists 1 cup of liquid as the minimum. I know that the 8 quarts and some of the newer ones list different requirements. For this recipe, you can easily change the liquid to match your manual’s suggestion.
- There’s really not much else you’ll need! I know everyone has different thoughts on cooking meat on or off the trivet, but with chicken breasts I usually place them on the bottom in the liquid.
Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breast
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth*
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (225 grams each roughly)
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Pour chicken broth into the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Add chicken breasts.
- Combine Italian seasoning, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Sprinkle over chicken breasts in Instant Pot. (*NOTE: if your chicken breasts are larger you will want to double the seasoning)
- Top with butter (no need to melt it, just throw it in there!).
- Put the lid on, turn the valve to sealing, and select Pressure Cook or Manual for 8 minutes for 200-250 gram (8oz) chicken breasts, adding a minute or two if your chicken pieces are larger . It will take about 10 minutes to build pressure and begin counting down.
- When the cook time is over, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes (or completely). Open the lid and remove the chicken. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- If desired, you can make a corn starch slurry (equal parts corn starch and water, roughly 1-2 tablespoons each) and add it to the cooking juices to make a gravy to serve with the chicken. Just turn the Instant Pot to saute and cook until thickened.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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L. says
I was really disappointed, I followed the directions exactly, and the chicken came out not only overcooked, but so tough it’s pretty much ruined. 🙁
Ashley Fehr says
Hi L., were you using full chicken breasts or smaller tenderloins? The chicken should not be that tough, unless possibly it wasn’t sealing correctly and dried out during the cooking process. Did you use a trivet or no trivet? Natural release or quick release?
Geneviève says
I had 1.1 kg of chicken breast (5 total) with 1 1/2 cup of bouillon, 8 min, natural release 11-12 min. Chicken was 192°C so overcooked & dry… But I did also 1 min cauliflower earlier with quick release and it was sooo overcooked. I wonder if I have a problem with my instant pot. It’s a 6L but it takes a long time to seal
Ashley Fehr says
1.1 kg for five chicken breasts is on the smaller side, so it’s possible that they just needed less time. I would also check your seal to make sure it is sealing correctly, maybe replace it just to be on the safe side.
Carol says
I have problems with natural release verses a timed 10 minute release. My book manual says to turn the pot off for a natural release but not for a timed release. I think the meat or whatever you’re cooking continues to cook whether you turn the pot off or not. It is hard to judge cooking times.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Carol. You’re right, it does continue to cook until the lid is removed. I always turn the Instant Pot off and let it sit for 10 minutes or until the valve drops. As long as you let it sit for at least 10 minutes it should be fine.
Brandi Roberts says
I have one of the big instant pot duos, I think it’s an 8 or 9 qt.. Do I need to adjust the amount of broth or anything? Just want to make sure, I’ve tried some other recipes and gotten burn notice because they were tailored to the smaller instant pots lol
Brenda George says
Perfect. I always over cook chicken. But not this time. 9 minutes and it was perfect.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Brenda, so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Paul Kern says
Very good. Went with 11 mins because the chicken breast was 80-90% thawed and turning white towards the thinner tip.
Saved the liquid to make gravy later (thanks for that suggestion!) because I’m using this recipe to remake shredded chicken for a Buffalo dip (dropped the original chicken just after shredding it).
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Paul! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for your review!
Pam Cox says
Made this tonight. Chicken came out perfectly. Thanks for a great recipe.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Pam! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Kristine says
Finally, an instant pot recipe for chicken that didn’t turn out dry! This will be my new go-to recipe for easy cooked chicken. I doubted putting the butter in but I was glad I did, and the broth will be great to use in something else. I did everything the same except I subbed out 21-seasoning salute from Trader Joe’s instead of Italian seasoning. Thanks for the recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kristine! So glad you enjoyed the chicken! Thank you for this review!
Jay says
You had me at dump and go!
First time doing chicken breast this way. I did 2lbs for 9min. Caribbean roasted garlic spice mix with Knorr’s Roasted Chicken base in a Cup of water, topped with 1.5 Tbsp. of butter. Fingers crossed!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jay! Hope you enjoy it!
Mary says
I would love to try this recipe. Unfortunately my daughter is allergic to dairy products so I can’t use the butter. Is it possible to use olive oil instead of butter? If so how much olive oil? Will really appreciate your reply. Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely! You can also use vegan margarine. I would use the same amount.
Toni says
Thanks for this! It turned out really juicy!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
LAUREN KELLY says
All I can say is, this was cooked to perfection!! So easy!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lauren!
Lisalia says
The quickest and easiest way to perfect chicken. Thanks for another winning instant pot recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad! Thanks Lisalia!
cindy says
Chicken is very moist and flavorful. This recipe is so simple yet so versatile !
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Cindy! I’m glad you liked it!
Carol says
This was a hit. The gravy was so good, my husband thought it was store bought.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Carol! I’m glad to hear that!
Kerri Dempsey says
Very moist and flavorful.
Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kerri!
Stephanie says
I needed a quick dinner tonight and had 3 pounds of fresh boneless, skinless, chicken breast. I made this recipe and sliced the moist chicken over the top of a pesto pasta. It was so easy and tasted wonderful! Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stephanie!