I show you how to get a juicy, tender Instant Pot chicken breast, whether fresh or frozen, skinless and boneless. Pressure cooker chicken breasts are quick, simple, and a healthy meal option.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot® have made pressure cooking accessible and convenient. After using mine for over two years, I’ve found it’s perfect for making consistently tender chicken breasts fast.
New Instant Pot users often ask: “How do I cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?” Below are clear, practical tips and a reliable method to get moist, flavorful results every time.
Basics for cooking Instant Pot chicken breasts
1. Weigh the chicken breasts for best results. Add the weights and use the average to determine cooking time (roughly a little less than 1 minute per ounce).
2. Lightly rub the chicken with olive oil. This helps the surface hold seasoning and can improve moisture retention.
3. Place the chicken on the trivet or rack so it sits above the water and steams instead of boiling.
4. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
5. This method works best for breasts about 5–10 ounces and ~1 1/2 inches thick. If one end is much thicker, pound it gently to even the thickness.
To brine or not to brine?
Brining before oven baking makes a noticeable difference in juiciness, and I typically brine for about 30 minutes when roasting. For pressure cooking, my tests showed little difference between brined and unbrined breasts, so I don’t usually brine them beforehand. You can marinate for added flavor if you like.
If the breasts are frozen, I briefly soak them in warm (not hot) salted water for about 10 minutes to thaw the outer layer slightly so seasonings adhere better. Rinse and pat dry before seasoning.
Can I cook frozen chicken breasts in the pressure cooker?
Yes. For frozen breasts, soak them in a few cups of warm water for about 10 minutes, pat dry, then rub with oil and spices. This helps the seasonings stick and improves surface seasoning without fully thawing.
How long to cook Instant Pot chicken breasts
Because chicken breasts vary in size, cook by weight to avoid overcooking. A food scale is helpful. I cook an 8 oz breast for 7 minutes at high pressure with a 10-minute natural pressure release — roughly a little less than 1 minute per ounce. When cooking several breasts, use the average weight and arrange them without overlapping so they cook evenly.
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Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 cup Water (2 cups for 8 qt pot)
- 2 8 oz Chicken Breasts (skinless/boneless)
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Spice Rub (optional)
Instructions
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Pour the water into the inner liner of the pressure cooker and set the trivet or metal rack in the pot.
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Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil.
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Season with your spice rub on all sides and arrange the breasts on the trivet. (A baked chicken spice rub works well.)
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Secure the lid and set the steam release to Sealing.
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Select Pressure Cook (Manual) at High Pressure. For an 8 oz breast, set 7 minutes (about a little less than 1 minute per ounce). For multiple breasts, use the average size.
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When cooking finishes, allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
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Open the lid and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read at least 160°F (it will rise slightly while resting).
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Remove the chicken to a plate and let it rest, tented with foil, for 5–10 minutes to retain juices before slicing.
Notes
2. A light coating of olive oil helps seasoning adhere and supports moisture retention.
3. Keep the chicken on the trivet so it steams and doesn’t boil.
4. Always verify doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
5. Best results for breasts about 5–10 oz and ~1 1/2 inches thick; pound thicker ends to even thickness.
Try a baked chicken spice rub to enhance flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Resources to make Instant Pot chicken breast and more
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