Searching for trusted, no-fail chicken recipes that your family will love? You’re in the right place. This round-up of the best easy Instant Pot chicken recipes are made to be beginner-friendly, quick and mostly one-pot. Whether you are new to pressure cooking or just want a home-cooked meal on the table in as little time as possible, these recipes guarantee tender and flavorful chicken tastes every single time.
Why These Are the Easiest Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
These recipes are among my favorites when it comes to simple, you-need-it-now chicken dinners.
What does it mean to be an “easy” recipe? We like to think of that as easy recipes (most with 10 ingredients or fewer), dump-and-start convenience, 30-minute-or-less dinner times from opening the door at night until serving up hot in a bowl on the table, and no-fail techniques so you can get what you expect every time. These recipes are great for busy families that have to balance after-school activities, beginners who just opened their first pressure cooker, and meal preppers looking to batch cook protein for the week. If hands-off cooking and simple cleanup sound like your kind of dinner, keep reading.
Quick Guide to Cooking Chicken in the Instant Pot
Before you get started with the recipes, here’s a quick refresher on working with chicken in your Instant Pot. The two main factors are the type of chicken you’re choosing (fresh versus frozen, boneless, skinless vs. bone-in) and what cut (breasts, thighs or whole chicken). Fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts are normally done in six to ten minutes under high pressure; if it’s bone-in thighs, count on twelve to fifteen minutes. Frozen bone-in chicken takes an additional five to ten minutes, depending on thickness. On this page, each recipe is accompanied by clear cook times and instructions so you never have to wonder.
Simplest Instant Pot Chicken Cooking Times & Tips
Let this be your cheat sheet for approximate cook times:
- Shallow Boneless Chicken Breasts (fresh): 6-8 minutes on high pressure
- Fresh boneless skinless chicken thighs: 8-10 minutes on high pressure
- Thighs or drumsticks with bone: 12–15 minutes at high pressure
- Whole chicken (3–4 lbs): 6 minutes per pound high pressure
- Frozen breasts without bones: Add 5–7 minutes to fresh cook times
Instant Pot sweet potato tips: For the juiciest results, let pressure release naturally for ten minutes and then quickly release any remaining pressure. Just always try to confirm the temperature inside with an instant-read thermometer; chicken should reach 165 degrees. And, after a five-minute rest (so you won’t lose any juice when slicing), slice it into pieces for moist pieces of meat.
Essential Tools & Ingredients for Easy Chicken Dinners
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Kick your feet up, relax, and welcome summer with this easy to make Chicken Taco Soup. Inside: Kick your feet up, relax, and welcome summer with this easy to make Chicken Taco Soup. If you ask us, this is the best Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup out there! Earlier this month I got to go home for
Quick Leftover Instant Pot Chicken Pizza
Even the pickiest kids will love this Instant Pot buffalo chicken pizza recipe! Inside: This Instant Pot buffalo chicken pizza recipe is the absolute best way to use leftovers in the Instant Pot! Even the pickiest families will love this yummy Instant Pot buffalo chicken pizza! My family is filled with picky eaters. Absolutely filled.
Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe for Busy Moms
Inside: This easy Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe is perfect for busy moms! Make a batch of instant pot shredded chicken on Sunday to use all week long! I’m just going to be honest… I’m kind of a hot mess mom. In fact, one of my favorite things about the Instant Pot is that I can
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Rice Soup
This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is the PERFECT soup to warm you up on rainy days! Inside: This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is the PERFECT soup to warm you up on rainy days! Make some creamy chicken, mushroom, and wild rice soup in less than 15 minutes with your Instant
Simple Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken
Inside: Take a tropical break from winter with this Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken. This simple Instant Pot recipe for chicken with pineapple is kid-friendly and taste bud approved! I want to go on a vacation. I NEED to go on a vacation. Since I was a kid, I cannot remember the last vacation I took.
Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken
Save money and skip the Chinese takeout with this easy-to-make, authentic Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken recipe. Inside: Save money and skip the Chinese takeout with this easy-to-make authentic Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken recipe. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you! I am a Chinese takeout junkie. There
Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Power Bowl
This Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Power Bowl is hands down my favorite go to lunch. It is the perfect pick me up on those days where I am just dragging. Plus, it is quick and easy to make! Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Bowl Now I won’t lie. Most days when I make this for lunch
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings
Inside: Heat up your taste buds and make perfectly crispy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings (from frozen chicken if needed) in a matter of minutes. These Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings are our favorite go to appetizer for family movie night! There is just something magical about a cold glass of a crisp ale with
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup recipe will keep you warm on even the coldest days! Inside: This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup recipe will keep you warm on even the coldest days! No need to slave over a hot oven to make this home-style classic, simply pour all of your ingredients into your Instant
Instant Pot Chicken Chile Verde Recipe
Inside: A quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Chile Verde recipe that is bound to be a crowd pleaser! Save your sanity and impress your friends and family while your pressure cooker does all the heavy lifting! I. Love. Chicken Chile Verde. It’s actually a love affair that goes back a few years. See,
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas in your pressure cooker that are done in under 30 minutes! Inside: These easy Instant Pot chicken fajitas are DELICIOUS, and they’re done in less than thirty minutes! This is the perfect easy Instant Pot dinner recipe for busy moms after school! Even the pickiest of eaters love these chicken fajitas! I. Love. Mexican. Food.
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Inside: This Easy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe will quickly become one of your family staples! This homemade Alfredo sauce on top of fettuccine noodles and tender chicken with broccoli is one meal your kids will ask you to make over and over again! I am a pasta addict. At the end of a long day, a
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is one of my favorite go-tos for game days. It is the perfect appetizer for when you have a crowd to please!
Instant Pot Jambalaya Brown Rice
There is nothing better after a long day than a bowl of Instant Pot Jambalaya with a cold sweet tea for dinner. This jambalaya with brown rice recipe is one of my favorite comfort foods, and I am sure it will quickly win it’s way into your heart too! Instant Pot Brown Rice Jambalaya Recipe
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
If you love buffalo chicken, then you must try these Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches! These quick chicken sandwiches are full of flavor and fun!
Instant Pot Garlic Herb Chicken Breast
This Instant Pot garlic herb chicken breast recipe is so quick and simple to make; it’s the perfect Instant Pot chicken dinner recipe!
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes ordered in American restaurants. This simple Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala has a thick sauce filled with rich flavors and extremely tender chicken. When it comes to comfort food, chicken masala is up at the top of the list for me! Make Chicken Tikka
Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder
This easy 20-Minute Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder is the perfect recipe for chicken corn chowder in a pressure cooker to use on busy nights when you need comfort food!
