How long do you cook frozen chicken breast in the instant pot

No thawing, no problem

Published on September 11, 2019

There are a lot of reasons to love the Instant Pot®, but likely the biggest draw of this popular multi-cooker is its time-saving capabilities. There's no better proof of this than using it to safely cook chicken from frozen, no thawing necessary.

Meat, like chicken or salmon, can go straight from the freezer into the Instant Pot. The reason? A pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, quickly brings food to a safe temperature. This is different from a slow cooker, which can allow frozen foods to sit at an unsafe temperature for prolonged periods of time.

Not to mention that using an Instant Pot is the best way to cook chicken from frozen and still get a juicy, moist result. So go ahead and stock up on chicken next time you see it marked down and freeze it for use in one of our many Instant Pot chicken recipes. Read on for our tips on how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot.

Steps for Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot

Here's What You'll Need:

• An Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker
• Frozen chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Other desired seasonings

1. Place the frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot inner pot. If you are cooking more than one, make sure they are separated to achieve even cooking throughout. To separate frozen chicken breasts, place them in cool water until they have thawed enough to pull apart.
2. Add one cup of chicken broth to the pot.
3. Sprinkle any desired seasoning over the top of the chicken. Close the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position.
4. Press the "manual" or "pressure cook" button and cook on high pressure for 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the size of the chicken breasts).
5. Once the cook time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
6. Remove the meat from the pot and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing or shredding, in order for the juices to be distributed throughout the chicken.

Fun Ways to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

1. Instant Pot Crispy Barbecue Chicken Wings

Make homemade wings from frozen in under an hour. This recipe makes it sound like a breeze: "Save time by making chicken wings in an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. Frozen or thawed, these turn out great with your favorite barbecue sauce."

2. Instant Pot No-Stress Buffalo Chicken Dip

"Want to make buffalo chicken dip and all you have is frozen chicken? No stress, just cook the frozen chicken breasts in a pressure cooker such as an Instant Pot, start to finish in 30 minutes," claims this recipe.

3. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

"An Instant Pot makes an easy everyday meal even easier! Frozen chicken breasts are combined with taco seasoning and salsa for a tasty Mexican-themed meal," states this recipe. "You can use the meat for tacos, burrito bowls, or as a topping for baked potatoes. So many possibilities!"

4. Instant Pot Chicken with Barbecue Sauce

"So easy, and only one Instant Pot, no dishes! From the freezer to the table in 30 minutes. Enjoy with baked beans or your favorite combination," according to this recipe.

5. Cheesy Ranch Chicken Pasta

A review on this recipe says, "Since it was my first time doing frozen chicken in my electric pressure cooker, I was amazed by how well-cooked yet moist the chicken came out."

I love this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts because I can use fresh or frozen chicken, it’s completely hands off, and yields perfectly cooked chicken in about 25 minutes.

I love the ease of cooking chicken this way, and there are so many ways to enjoy it, like in chicken enchiladas, white chicken chili, or BBQ chicken pizza.

Have you tried cooking chicken breast in your Instant Pot yet? It is so easy and yields juicy chicken breast you can enjoy for dinner, meal prepping, or use in any recipes that call for cooked or shredded chicken. Once you try it, there’s a good chance you won’t go back!

For this recipe I’ve simply seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper but you can add whatever seasonings or spices that will enhance the flavor of the dish you are preparing.

How to cook fresh or frozen chicken breast in the Instant Pot:

• Place inner pot into the instant pot and place the trivet in the bottom.
• Add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot (water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice).
• Place chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer.
• Add salt and pepper or desired seasonings.

• Secure lid and make sure the vent is set to “sealed”. Pressure cook on high for 8-10 minutes for fresh chicken breast, and 10-12 minutes for frozen chicken (depending on the thickness of the breasts). Cook time stays the same no matter how much chicken you add to the pot; the pot will just take longer to come to pressure.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to “venting” to release any remaining steam.

Can I cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?

Yes, follow the same steps above, but pressure cook for 10-12 minutes. Make sure that the frozen breasts are all separated and not in a clump when you put them in the instant pot.

How do I know how long to cook the chicken breast?

The cook time for chicken breast is determined by the size of the individual breasts, not the total amount of chicken. Here is a general rule to follow: for chicken breasts that are under 2” thickness, cook for 8 minutes. For chicken breasts that are over 2” thickness, cook for 10 minutes. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before you eat it. If you’re not sure if it’s cooked through, test with an instant read thermometer.

Should I use the poultry setting on the Instant Pot?

Be wary of the poultry setting on the instant pot. This setting is based on an average chicken breast, so looking at the thickness of your own chicken breasts will yield a more accurate cook. Cook the chicken on manual high pressure setting based on the thickness.

Do I need to use a trivet?

If you have the trivet that the instant pot comes with, it is best to cook the breasts in a layer on top of it. This will ensure the chicken is steamed and kept juicy instead of boiling in the liquid. But, if you are without a trivet, putting the chicken breasts directly into the liquid will work just fine, or you can make a rope of aluminum foil and use that as a make-shift “rack” on the bottom of the pot.

Should I add seasoning to my chicken?

Chicken breasts in the instant pot can be customized to whatever dish you are planning to put them in. Mexican food? Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Italian dish? Add some Italian seasoning or garlic. Or consider topping them with a simple teriyaki sauce.

For simple, versatile, chicken breast that can be used in meal prep, salad, etc, just add some salt and pepper along with your chicken broth or water. You can also use different juices for your liquid (such as pineapple or apple) for some added sweetness to the chicken.

What size of instant pot should I use?

You can cook chicken breasts in whatever size instant pot you have. Just make sure you add at least 1 cup of liquid, and then place the chicken in the pot in a single layer. If you have a smaller instant pot, simply cook your chicken in batches so you can keep it in single layers. If you have a larger instant pot, keep in mind it will take a little longer for your instant pot to come to pressure before cooking begins.

Pro Tips:

1. Save the liquid at the bottom of your instant pot after cooking for a yummy and flavorful homemade chicken broth!
2. For shredded chicken: Remove the trivet after cooking, and leave about ½ cup of liquid at the bottom of your pot. Put your chicken back in the pot with the liquid after it rests, and shred with a handheld mixer. Easy and quick shredded chicken!

Storing and Freezing Instructions: 

Shred the chicken with forks or a hand mixer and freeze it in individual bags to easily add to any weeknight dinner. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Or, chop the chicken and refrigerate to add to lunches throughout the week.

Recipes for leftover cooked chicken:

• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Quesadillas
• Pesto Chicken Flatbread
• Chicken Caesar Wraps
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Arroz Chaufa
• Chicken Casserole
• Healthy Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
• Buffalo Chicken Dip

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Recipe

• ▢ 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast , fresh or frozen
• ▢ 1 cup liquid (water, chicken broth, apple, or pineapple juice)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• Place your inner pot into the instant pot and place the trivet in the bottom.

• Add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot (water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice).

• Place chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer and season with salt, pepper or any seasonings you like.

• Secure the instant pot lid and make sure the vent is set to “sealed”.

• Pressure cook on high for 8-10 minutes for fresh chicken breast, or 10-12 minutes for frozen chicken (depending on the thickness of the breasts). Cook time stays the same no matter how much chicken you add to the pot; the pot will just take longer to come to pressure.

• When timer beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to “venting” to release any remaining steam.

• If desired, test chicken with a thermometer; it should reach 165 degrees. (If it’s just shy, place the lid back on and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. If the chicken is still not cooked to at least 160 degrees, secure the instant pot lid and cook for 1-3 minutes longer, on high pressure.)

• Allow the chicken to rest 5 minutes before cutting, or shredding.

• For shredded chicken: Remove the trivet after cooking, and leave about ½ cup of liquid at the bottom of your pot. Place chicken back in the pot with the liquid after it rests and shred with a handheld mixer. Easy and quick shredded chicken!

Chicken will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, or place in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 72gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 218mgSodium: 979mgPotassium: 1259mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 102IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

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Photography by Nikole from The Travel Palate.