These easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes come together SO quickly, you can have a delicious homemade meal on the table in no time! From whole chicken in the Instant Pot, to chicken breasts to chicken thighs, these are the best chicken recipes to make in everyone’s favorite multicooker.
The Instant Pot is such a versatile kitchen tool!
It took me a little while to get the hang of it, but as I’ve been committed to using mine more and more, I’ve realized that you can make THE MOST Instant Pot dinners! From chicken tacos, chicken soups, one pot meals, and more, the possibilities are limitless.
With so many ways to make use of an Instant Pot, who could go back to pre-Instant Pot times? Seeing as chicken is one of my favorite things to make in the pressure cooker, I thought it was high time to compile and share a list of my best Instant Pot chicken recipes.
What it’s the Difference Between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker?
There are a few key differences between an Instant Pot and most pressure cookers:
- An Instant Pot is an all-in-one multicooker, with pressure cooking as just one of its functions. Instant Pots are used for slow cooking, rice cooking, sauteing, steaming, and warming, the main goal being to speed up the cooking process.
- A Pressure Cooker is also designed to reduce cooking time. Pressure cookers are single-function and trap steam inside in order to cook the food more quickly. In general, they’re a little more technical and not as user-friendly.
Since it’s so easy to use, the Instant Pot is basically the novice’s pressure cooker (among other things)! The main difference between the two though is in the multi-function set up of the Instant Pot.
Why Instant Pot Recipes Are Perfect for Weeknights
Not only does the Instant Pot save time during the actual cooking process, it makes the overall meals just so much easier! Considering you can cook, saute, and keep everything warm in one pot, it really is the best. Here are just some of the ways that the Instant Pot is perfect for weeknight meals:
- It has completely changed the game when it comes to weekly meal prep. I can whip up all dinners (and even some lunches) for the week in a single evening, done and dusted!
- This one-pot wonder cuts out TONS of clean-up time. Since the Instant Pot does it all, there’s no need for loads of dirty pots and pans.
- Instant Pots are perfect for meals in a hurry. Busy weeknights often call for having dinner on the table, pronto! A multicooker makes it easy to have a whole family meal ready to go in no time. You can even cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, making it the ultimate time saver.
Tips for Success Every Time
Here are a few helpful tips for how to cook the best chicken in the Instant Pot:
- Instant Pots are forgiving. With other cooking methods, chicken can become dry when overcooked. In the Instant Pot, because it’s such a moist environment, I’ve found that it stays perfectly juicy a lot longer. Do your best to get the timing right, but if you do add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time, that’s probably okay.
- Add creams and thicker sauces later on. The Instant Pot needs a certain amount of liquid to come to pressure, so thick sauces like BBQ sauce or cream-based sauces alone may risk burning. It can help to combine thicker sauces with a bit of broth or water before adding them into the pot. You can also set aside some of the sauce to add in after the chicken is cooked.
- Pay attention to cooking times. If you’re making a one-pot meal with chicken and veggies, try to find ingredients with similar cooking times. Adding the vegetables part way through will take extra time, since the Pot will have to come back up to pressure to cook again. So be prepared and read recipes carefully.
30 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes to Try
From chicken breasts, to chicken thighs, to whole chickens cooked in the Instant Pot, these chicken dinners are so incredibly easy and flavourful!
This is some seriously delicious chicken steeped in a savory, creamy broth. Topped with soft, fluffy dumplings, it's pure comfort food at its finest!
Learn how to make these perfectly seasoned chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, with one secret ingredient! This chicken recipe is going to become your new go-to, guaranteed.
Pasta in the pressure cooker? You better believe it! Tender and juicy chicken pieces are tossed in with creamy Alfredo pasta in this easy and satisfying dinner.
Cozy and comforting chicken and noodles are super easy to make in the Instant Pot! The entire family will love this easy chicken recipe that’s hearty and studded with veggies.
Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile meals! Succulent shredded chicken breasts is a breeze to make in the Instant Pot, for effortless meal prep and delicious weeknight dinners!
On the lookout for a perfect leftover chicken recipe? Try chicken tacos, brought to you by the Instant Pot! The pressure cooker transforms chicken breasts and thighs into beautiful shredded chicken, for tacos, nachos and more!
Boneless or bone-in, these creamy garlic chicken thighs hit the mark! This recipe is saucy, flavorful and easy, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
Cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot is so easy to do, perfect when you need dinner in a hurry! This step-by-step walks you through the best way to cook frozen chicken using the multicooker, for dynamite results every time!
A healthy one-pot dinner packed with pesto and parmesan flavor! Everyone will love this recipe for cheesy chicken and potatoes prepared all at once in the Instant Pot.
This delicious soup is made in the Instant Pot with tender cooked chicken, cheesy tortellini, and loads of hearty vegetables. All the ingredients swim in a beautiful broth that’s super soothing and full of flavor!
All the tips and tricks you need to achieve perfectly cooked chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, whether they’re fresh or frozen! Cooked in a savory homemade BBQ sauce, this recipe is super customizable.
You’ll be serving this tender chicken breast and creamy, Italian-inspired sauce over everything from pasta to rice to potatoes! Italian herbs and roasted red peppers add delicious flavor to this cream-based chicken and pasta dish.
Easy and hearty, this chicken and noodle soup is made with a mouthwatering, creamy broth and loaded with noodles and fresh veggies.
Big on flavor and quick to cook, this one-pot dinner is made with juicy chicken, veggies, and a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce. Let the Instant Pot do the work, and save you the extra dishes!
Whether you’re using fresh or frozen chicken, you can cook the whole thing in the Instant Pot! You’ll be on your way to the juiciest, most incredible chicken in far less time than it would take to bake it or thaw it. Perfect for easy leftover chicken recipes!
Italian herbs, roast peppers, spinach and parmesan are the freshest combination, and perfect for this Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe.Â
Skip the grill and cook out your next summer BBQ chicken in the Instant Pot! Grilling die-hards, never fear: this juicy, finger-licking bone-in chicken is easy to make ahead, and finish on the grill for some extra char.
Sweet-savory honey garlic chicken is made that much more tender and flavorful under pressure (in the cooker, that is). You’ll be hands free to prepare your favorite sides to go with this tangy, spicy, saucy shredded chicken!
You’re going to love dishing up a hearty bowl of this cozy, spicy white chicken chili! Made with juicy pieces of lean chicken, tender white beans and corn, plus the perfect hint of green chili heat. Dress it up with corn chips and sour cream for a zesty Tex-Mex dinner!
Bring a taste of the tropics to family dinner with this succulent Instant Pot pineapple chicken recipe! Chicken breast covered in a tangy sauce with chunks of ripe pineapple is great to serve over rice for a no-fuss weeknight meal.
Embrace the flavors of Louisiana and keep everything in one pan with this easy recipe for Instant Pot jambalaya! A delicious southern dish featuring chicken and andouille sausage, plus tons of peppers, onions, and Cajun-style spices.Â
The whole family will love this sped-up recipe for ramen that only takes half an hour in the Instant Pot! Prepared with your favorite Asian-inspired ingredients in a flavorful broth that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours.Â
Another trip to the Far East that you can take without leaving home! Make this easy and healthy pad thai recipe in the Instant Pot and enjoy all the saucy, peanut flavors tossed with chicken and crunchy vegetables.Â
All the deliciously creamy flavors of an original chicken pot pie, without the wait! Dump the ingredients into the Pot and have this version ready to go in under 30 minutes. Packed with tender potatoes, carrots, and chicken, it’s just as full of flavor!
Take your Tex-Mex evening up a notch with easy homemade fajitas, made tender and juicy in the Instant Pot. Saucy chicken pieces and crisp veggies can be loaded into tortillas or served over rice for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner.
Dump and cook your chicken and veg all in one pot with this perfect recipe! Chicken thighs are deliciously seasoned with herbs and cooked in a cozy broth with loads of nourishing veggies. An easy dinner, made fast!
One bowl of this thick and creamy corn chowder topped with crispy bacon, and you’ll be making it again and again – luckily, that’s easy to do with the Instant Pot! Chicken, potatoes and sweet corn come together in this easy one-pot comfort food.
You NEED to try this creamy lemon parmesan sauce. It’s pure perfection, smothered over juicy chicken while still being low carb and gluten free! Light and easy chicken dinners don’t get better than this.
A classic Italian dish is made healthier with this nutrient-packed recipe for fall-off-the-bone chicken cacciatore! This is the ultimate meal to feed a crowd, loaded with protein and veggies and perfect for serving over rice and pasta. Even if you’re only feeding a few, it makes great leftovers!
Take 10 minutes of prep and then leave the pressure cooker setting to do the rest! This lush and tasty chicken and rice soup is full of hearty ingredients, and the best dinner for cozy evenings.
Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
written by Ashley Fehr
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Vinnie says
Ashley, You have renewed my interest in Chicken! I was beginning to look up ways to groom Feathers because I was sure I was going to break out in Feathers soon! Thanks for sharing, and if you haven’t tried this Indian Favorite (also Ours)
check it out! Butter Chicken, It’s great, I just start it off with some Carmelized Onions, brown sugar, and curry powder and you can use a premade sauce or concoct one of your own,It’s worth looking into!
Thanks again, Vinnie
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Vinnie! We do love Butter Chicken!
Jen says
This is so perfect for me! Pinning! I’m going to start with the chicken and noodles and sit down to meal plan the rest. Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen!
Gina says
THANK YOU FOR THIS! Such an incredible list!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gina!
Emily says
We eat chicken ALL THE TIME, so this post is perfect! I need new ideas on my list!
Ashley Fehr says
We love it too!
Tammy Shay says
I am having a difficult time with my recipes. I made spaghetti and it burned on the bottom. I made a rice dish and it too burned. My next recipe was going to be chicken. I bought a whole chicken, thinking that’s how it is to be cooked,
I am hoping it turns out.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Tammy! Unfortunately I can only offer assistance if you have made Instant Pot recipes from The Recipe Rebel, as I haven’t made many of the recipes out there. If you do make one here and leave a comment on that recipe post, I can definitely help you trouble shoot!
Christina B says
Most of these sound great. Does anyone have a source for chicken recipes that don’t need served over rice? (E.g pasta or potatoes work instead) my father can’t eat rice and it’s a problem with many recipes I’m noticing.
Sara M says
Cauliflower rice is what we do !
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for the tip Sara! That’s a great option!
Ruth A Freeman says
I just got my Instant Pot three weeks ago. So far Ive tried the tried & true pot roast…perfect.
Then I got on the internet and made a quiche-my husband said it was the best he ever had! He suggested I make a cheesecake next, it came out light and creamy, another success. Well, I’m batting a pretty aveage so tonight I’m trying chicken breasts. I’ve looked at some receipes and looked to see what I have in the cupboard. I’m going to stay with simple for my first chicken breast. I’ll write again…
Ashley Fehr says
I’d love to hear how it turns out Ruth!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Love all these IP chicken recipes! Thanks for including our Instant Pot Orange Chicken!
Ashley Fehr says
Any time!