This is the best way to make a big batch of diced chicken for meal prepping lunches and dinners. It takes just a few minutes to cook the main protein for three very different meals.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe: This is the only recipe you need to make a big-batch of diced chicken in your Instant Pot. You can cook chicken and white rice at the same time, or you can just cook chicken and make different meals.
At my house, we love recipes that let us make multiple meals from the same protein, with minimal cooking on the later days.
You may know them as two-for-one meals, cook-once-eat-twice meals, or double-duty meals. I call them 3-for-1 meals.
You can use this as a template where you can turn it into dozens of different meals by changing up the seasonings and toppings, so you’ll always be just a few minutes from an easy lunch or dinner.
Cooking boneless chicken breasts in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to get tender, juicy chicken on the table fast. But nailing the right cook time can be tricky. Undercook the chicken and it will be unsafe to eat. Overcook it and you’ll end up with dry, rubbery chicken.
If you want to know how long it really takes to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an Instant Pot, read this full guide. It has charts, tips, and tricks to make sure you always get perfect IP chicken.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast Cooking Time Charts
How long boneless chicken breasts need to cook in an Instant Pot depends on two main things.
- The size and thickness of the chicken breasts
- Whether the chicken is fresh or frozen
Here are detailed time charts for both fresh and frozen boneless chicken breasts of varying sizes when cooked on high pressure in an Instant Pot.
Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts
For fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time can range from 6-10 minutes depending on the size:
- Small breasts (6-8 oz): 6 minutes
- Medium breasts (8-12 oz): 8 minutes
- Large breasts (12-14 oz): 10 minutes
To keep boneless chicken breasts from getting too cooked, always use a quick pressure release method. Also, use a food thermometer to make sure that the thickest part has reached 165°F on the inside.
Frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts
The Instant Pot has to thaw frozen boneless chicken breasts first, which makes the cooking time longer. Here are the recommended cook times:
- Small breasts (6-8 oz): 12 minutes
- Medium breasts (9-11 oz): 14 minutes
- Large breasts (12-14 oz): 16 minutes
As with fresh chicken, quick release the pressure immediately and verify the internal temperature is 165°F.
Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Breasts
For bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, the bone and skin help insulate the meat so slightly shorter cook times are needed:
- Small/medium (10-14 oz): 10 minutes
- Large (16+ oz): 12 minutes
Quick release the pressure and check temperature in the thickest part of the meat, avoiding contact with the bone.
Frozen Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Breasts
Cooking frozen bone-in chicken breasts requires more time for the Instant Pot to thaw and pressure cook the meat:
- 12-18 oz: 25 minutes
Quick release pressure and check internal temperature.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Follow these tips for ensuring your Instant Pot chicken breasts come out tender and juicy every time:
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Use similar sized breasts – Cook chicken breasts of roughly equal size and thickness together for even cooking.
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Elevate off the bottom – Use a trivet or steamer basket to prevent scorching on the bottom.
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Don’t overfill the pot – Chicken should not pass the max fill line. Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking.
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Quick release pressure – Natural release can overcook delicate chicken breasts. Use quick release.
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Check internal temperature – Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F. Use a food thermometer.
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Let rest 5 minutes – Allowing the chicken to rest helps retain moisture.
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Add flavor – Brown chicken first with sauté or use marinades and spices for more flavor.
Getting the Most Juice and Flavor
Besides following proper Instant Pot cook times, there are some easy ways to get the most juicy, flavorful chicken breasts:
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Brine the chicken – Soaking chicken in a saltwater brine infuses it with moisture and seasoning.
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Sear the chicken – Browning the chicken first caramelizes the exterior and enhances flavor.
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Use seasoning/marinade – Coat chicken in spices, herbs or marinades before cooking.
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Add sauce after – Finish with a flavorful sauce like barbecue, teriyaki or lemon butter.
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Let rest before cutting – Waiting 5+ minutes allows juices to redistribute.
Common Chicken Breast Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to go wrong cooking chicken breasts in an Instant Pot if you don’t follow the right techniques. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
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Not checking internal temperature – This risks undercooked chicken. Always use a thermometer.
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Quick releasing bone-in chicken – The bones insulate heat so natural release is best.
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Overcrowding the pot – Too much chicken leads to uneven cooking. Don’t overfill.
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Using keep warm mode – This will continue cooking the chicken and lead to overcooking.
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Not letting chicken rest – Skipping this step means losing juices as you cut into it.
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Cooking breasts of very different sizes – Thinner breasts will overcook when cooked with thicker ones.
The Takeaway
With the right cook times and techniques, you can easily make moist, flavorful boneless chicken breasts in your Instant Pot. Stick to the time charts based on size and whether fresh or frozen. Quick release pressure, check temperature, and let chicken rest before serving. Avoid common mistakes like overcrowding and skip keep warm mode. With practice, you’ll be an Instant Pot chicken pro.
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Big-Batch of Diced Chicken in the Instant Pot
Yes, if you’d only like to cook chicken and no grains, you can follow the instructions for the diced chicken and skip cooking the rice. There’s no need to change the cooking time.
After the chicken is cooked, let it cool and place it in an airtight container. Then store it in the fridge for up to four days. You can also place some of the individual portions into freezer-safe ziplocks and freeze for up to three months.
You can store the rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
There are so many ways to serve the chicken and rice once it’s cooked and in the fridge. At my house, we love to make loaded enchiladas (or burritos or tacos), a cold chicken salad for lunch, and teriyaki chicken bowls.
Putting the chicken in an oven-safe bowl is my favorite way to reheat it for later meals. Place 1 cup water and a trivet in the Instant Pot, then use a sling to lower the bowl in place. Lock the lid and select 0 minute cook time. When the cook time ends, finish with a quick release. You can also heat up chicken in the microwave or on the stove with a little chicken broth added.
How to Make Diced Chicken in an Instant Pot
Start by cooking the chicken and rice using the pot-in-pot method.
First, dice the chicken and season it all over with salt and pepper. Select Sauté on the Instant Pot to heat it. Add the oil and chicken and cook the chicken for three minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until it’s fragrant. Finally, stir in the chicken broth.
Next, place a trivet or steaming rack into the pressure cooking pot over the chicken. In a 7-inch cake or springform pan, combine the rice and water. Use a foil or reusable sling to carefully lower the pot of rice and water onto the trivet in the pot. Lock the lid in place and cook at high pressure for four minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for seven minutes, then release the remaining pressure with a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, remove the lid and use your sling to carefully remove the pan of rice.
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate. Discard the liquid in the pressure cooking pot. Now your chicken is ready to use. You can cool it completely and store for later or serve it immediately.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast–Tender, Juicy, and Perfectly Cooked
FAQ
How long to cook boneless chicken in Instant Pot?
For example, if you’re cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can add 5-10 minutes to the recommended cooking time. Also, be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). How do I prevent overcooking or undercooking chicken in an Instant Pot?.
How does the Instant Pot cook chicken?
The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, which means it uses high pressure to cook food faster than traditional cooking methods. The cooking time is determined by the type of chicken, its size, and the desired level of doneness. The Instant Pot has two primary cooking modes:
How long to cook frozen chicken thighs in Instant Pot?
If you’re cooking frozen chicken breasts, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time. For example: Chicken thighs are another popular cut of chicken to cook in an Instant Pot. Here are the general cooking times for chicken thighs: If you’re cooking frozen chicken thighs, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time. For example:
How long to cook frozen chicken breast in Instant Pot?
It will take about 12 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to temperature and then another 10 to 15 minutes of cook time. Be sure to use medium chicken breasts (about 8 ounces) each. If you have larger or smaller, you may need to play around and adjust timing accordingly. Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot? Yes!.
Can you cook chicken with bones in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can cook chicken with bones in an Instant Pot! In fact, cooking chicken with bones can make the meat very tender and flavorful. You should change the cooking time for chicken with bones based on the type and size of the chicken.
Can you cook skinless chicken in Instant Pot?
For example, boneless, skinless chicken breasts will cook faster than bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Additionally, it’s crucial to not overcrowd the Instant Pot, as this can lead to uneven cooking and increase the risk of overcooking or undercooking.
How long does it take to cook boneless chicken in the Instant Pot?
If the chicken breasts are fresh, pressure cook them on high for 8 to 10 minutes. If they are frozen, cook them for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how thick they are. 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.
How long does it take raw chicken to cook in an Instant Pot?
Cook the chicken on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. – Set to HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. For fresh chicken, it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure. Expect frozen chicken to take 12 to 15 minutes to come up to pressure.Jun 28, 2024
What is the cooking time for boneless chicken?
Here are some general guidelines: – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) (1). – Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) (1).
Can you overcook chicken in an Instant Pot?