Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts – How to cook deliciously seasoned, perfectly tender and juicy chicken breasts in the Instant Pot! Can be made with fresh or frozen chicken breasts.

This flavor packed chicken breasts recipe is the solution to all your busy weeknights, my friends. Thanks to the beloved Instant Pot, you can take all the stress out of making dinner with this easy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts recipe.

The chicken breasts are so tender and juicy, and it all takes only about 20 minutes, from start to finish.

Don’t have an Instant Pot, but still want juicy baked chicken breasts?! GET my Easy Baked Chicken Breasts recipe.

CAN YOU USE FROZEN CHICKEN BREASTS in the INSTANT POT?

Absolutely! The one tip I have is that you separate the frozen chicken breasts; that is, do not throw them in the Instant Pot all glued together, but rather separate them and arrange them in one single layer.

Even when using fresh chicken breasts, I advise not to pile up the chicken. One single layer will ensure even cooking, and keep the chicken breasts moist.

Also, for frozen chicken breasts, it will take longer for the pressure to build in the Instant Pot; about 15 minutes. It takes 8 to 10 minutes for fresh chicken breasts.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CHICKEN BREASTS

SEASON the chicken breasts; I use a combination of Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil to create a paste that I can rub all over the chicken breasts.

Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot and warm up the olive oil.
Add seasoned chicken breasts to the pot and sear on both sides just until browned. Remove chicken breasts.
Pour pineapple juice (you can also use water or chicken broth) in the Instant Pot and scrape up the bits.
Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and arrange the chicken breasts on the trivet in a single layer. If you do not have a trivet, make 5 or 6 aluminum foil balls and place them inside the pot; then arrange the chicken breasts over the foil balls.
Close pot, set valve to sealing, select the manual or pressure cook button (this depends on your Instant Pot model), select high pressure and set the timer to 5 minutes.
When the 5 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally for 8 minutes; then, release any remaining pressure.

Remove chicken from pot and let rest for 5 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE GRAVY IN THE INSTANT POT

Optional, but highly recommended: DO NOT throw away the liquid and make a gravy/sauce, instead.

After removing the chicken breasts and trivet from the Instant Pot, press the SAUTÉ button and bring the liquid to a boil.
Make a slurry with water and cornstarch and add that to the pot; let cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened to a desired consistency.
Pour over chicken breasts and serve.

SIDE DISHES TO GO WITH YOUR CHICKEN DINNER

MORE INSTANT POT CHICKEN RECIPES

ENJOY!

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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE

Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

How to cook deliciously seasoned, perfectly tender and juicy chicken breasts in the Instant Pot!

4 (about 1 pound) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt and fresh ground pepper, (to taste)
2 tablespoons olive oil, (divided)
1 cup pineapple juice, ((you can also use low sodium chicken broth or water))

Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts; set aside.
In a small mixing bowl combine Italian Seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the seasonings and mix until thoroughly combined into a paste.
Rub the paste all over the chicken breasts.
Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Once olive oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides; about 2 minutes per side.
Remove chicken from the Instant Pot and set aside.
Add pineapple juice /chicken broth / or water / to the Instant Pot and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom.
Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot and arrange the chicken breasts on the trivet in one single layer.
Close pot, set valve to sealing, select the manual or pressure cook button (this depends on your Instant Pot model), select high pressure and set the timer to 5 minutes.
When the 5 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally for 8 minutes; then, release any remaining pressure. (For frozen chicken breasts, it will take longer for the pressure to build in the Instant Pot; about 15 minutes.)
Remove chicken from pot and let rest for 5 minutes.

FOR THE GRAVY (OPTIONAL)

After removing the chicken breasts and trivet from the Instant Pot, press the SAUTÉ button and bring the liquid to a boil.
Make a slurry with 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch; mix it up and add that to the pot; let cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened to a desired consistency.
Pour over chicken breasts and serve.

HOW TO STORE COOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Let the cooked chicken breasts cool completely. Refrigerate cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container, or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Properly stored, cooked chicken breasts will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

HOW TO FREEZE COOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Wrap cooked chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap. I also add a layer of aluminum foil over the plastic wrap. Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a freezer bag. Seal the bag, pushing down on the bag to press out as much air as possible. Place the bag in the freezer toward the back where it is the coldest. When ready to use, remove from freezer and set in the fridge overnight to thaw out.

COOK’S NOTES:

FOR FROZEN CHICKEN BREASTS:

Separate the frozen chicken breasts – do not throw them in the Instant Pot all glued together, but rather separate them and arrange them in one single layer.
IF using frozen chicken breasts, it will take longer for the pressure to build in the Instant Pot; you’ll need about 15 minutes, instead of the 8 to 10 minutes that it takes for fresh chicken breasts.
IF you do not have a trivet, make 5 or 6 aluminum foil balls and place them inside the pot; then arrange the chicken breasts over the foil balls.