The Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on October 22, 2023

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These easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes come together SO quickly, you can have a delicious homemade meal on the table in no time! From whole chicken in the Instant Pot, to chicken breasts to chicken thighs, these are the best chicken recipes to make in everyone’s favorite multicooker.

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The Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes | The Recipe Rebel (2)

The Instant Pot is such a versatile kitchen tool!

It took me a little while to get the hang of it, but as I’ve been committed to using mine more and more, I’ve realized that you can make THE MOST Instant Pot dinners! From chicken tacos, chicken soups, one pot meals, and more, the possibilities are limitless.

With so many ways to make use of an Instant Pot, who could go back to pre-Instant Pot times? Seeing as chicken is one of my favorite things to make in the pressure cooker, I thought it was high time to compile and share a list of my best Instant Pot chicken recipes.

What it’s the Difference Between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker?

There are a few key differences between an Instant Pot and most pressure cookers:

An Instant Pot is an all-in-one multicooker, with pressure cooking as just one of its functions. Instant Pots are used for slow cooking, rice cooking, sauteing, steaming, and warming, the main goal being to speed up the cooking process.
A Pressure Cooker is also designed to reduce cooking time. Pressure cookers are single-function and trap steam inside in order to cook the food more quickly. In general, they’re a little more technical and not as user-friendly.

Since it’s so easy to use, the Instant Pot is basically the novice’s pressure cooker (among other things)! The main difference between the two though is in the multi-function set up of the Instant Pot.

Why Instant Pot Recipes Are Perfect for Weeknights

Not only does the Instant Pot save time during the actual cooking process, it makes the overall meals just so much easier! Considering you can cook, saute, and keep everything warm in one pot, it really is the best. Here are just some of the ways that the Instant Pot is perfect for weeknight meals:

It has completely changed the game when it comes to weekly meal prep. I can whip up all dinners (and even some lunches) for the week in a single evening, done and dusted!
This one-pot wonder cuts out TONS of clean-up time. Since the Instant Pot does it all, there’s no need for loads of dirty pots and pans.
Instant Pots are perfect for meals in a hurry. Busy weeknights often call for having dinner on the table, pronto! A multicooker makes it easy to have a whole family meal ready to go in no time. You can even cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, making it the ultimate time saver.

Tips for Success Every Time

Here are a few helpful tips for how to cook the best chicken in the Instant Pot:

Instant Pots are forgiving. With other cooking methods, chicken can become dry when overcooked. In the Instant Pot, because it’s such a moist environment, I’ve found that it stays perfectly juicy a lot longer. Do your best to get the timing right, but if you do add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time, that’s probably okay.
Add creams and thicker sauces later on. The Instant Pot needs a certain amount of liquid to come to pressure, so thick sauces like BBQ sauce or cream-based sauces alone may risk burning. It can help to combine thicker sauces with a bit of broth or water before adding them into the pot. You can also set aside some of the sauce to add in after the chicken is cooked.
Pay attention to cooking times. If you’re making a one-pot meal with chicken and veggies, try to find ingredients with similar cooking times. Adding the vegetables part way through will take extra time, since the Pot will have to come back up to pressure to cook again. So be prepared and read recipes carefully.

30 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes to Try

From chicken breasts, to chicken thighs, to whole chickens cooked in the Instant Pot, these chicken dinners are so incredibly easy and flavourful!

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

This is some seriously delicious chicken steeped in a savory, creamy broth. Topped with soft, fluffy dumplings, it's pure comfort food at its finest!

Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breast

Learn how to make these perfectly seasoned chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, with one secret ingredient! This chicken recipe is going to become your new go-to, guaranteed.

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Pasta in the pressure cooker? You better believe it! Tender and juicy chicken pieces are tossed in with creamy Alfredo pasta in this easy and satisfying dinner.

Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

Cozy and comforting chicken and noodles are super easy to make in the Instant Pot! The entire family will love this easy chicken recipe that’s hearty and studded with veggies.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile meals! Succulent shredded chicken breasts is a breeze to make in the Instant Pot, for effortless meal prep and delicious weeknight dinners!

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

On the lookout for a perfect leftover chicken recipe? Try chicken tacos, brought to you by the Instant Pot! The pressure cooker transforms chicken breasts and thighs into beautiful shredded chicken, for tacos, nachos and more!

Creamy Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Boneless or bone-in, these creamy garlic chicken thighs hit the mark! This recipe is saucy, flavorful and easy, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot

Cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot is so easy to do, perfect when you need dinner in a hurry! This step-by-step walks you through the best way to cook frozen chicken using the multicooker, for dynamite results every time!

Pesto Parmesan Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Potatoes

A healthy one-pot dinner packed with pesto and parmesan flavor! Everyone will love this recipe for cheesy chicken and potatoes prepared all at once in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe

This delicious soup is made in the Instant Pot with tender cooked chicken, cheesy tortellini, and loads of hearty vegetables. All the ingredients swim in a beautiful broth that’s super soothing and full of flavor!

BBQ Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

All the tips and tricks you need to achieve perfectly cooked chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, whether they’re fresh or frozen! Cooked in a savory homemade BBQ sauce, this recipe is super customizable.

Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

You’ll be serving this tender chicken breast and creamy, Italian-inspired sauce over everything from pasta to rice to potatoes! Italian herbs and roasted red peppers add delicious flavor to this cream-based chicken and pasta dish.

Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Easy and hearty, this chicken and noodle soup is made with a mouthwatering, creamy broth and loaded with noodles and fresh veggies.

Big on flavor and quick to cook, this one-pot dinner is made with juicy chicken, veggies, and a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce. Let the Instant Pot do the work, and save you the extra dishes!

Instant Pot Whole Chicken (Fresh or Frozen)

Whether you’re using fresh or frozen chicken, you can cook the whole thing in the Instant Pot! You’ll be on your way to the juiciest, most incredible chicken in far less time than it would take to bake it or thaw it. Perfect for easy leftover chicken recipes!

Instant Pot Italian Chicken Pasta

Italian herbs, roast peppers, spinach and parmesan are the freshest combination, and perfect for this Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Skip the grill and cook out your next summer BBQ chicken in the Instant Pot! Grilling die-hards, never fear: this juicy, finger-licking bone-in chicken is easy to make ahead, and finish on the grill for some extra char.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet-savory honey garlic chicken is made that much more tender and flavorful under pressure (in the cooker, that is). You’ll be hands free to prepare your favorite sides to go with this tangy, spicy, saucy shredded chicken!

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

You’re going to love dishing up a hearty bowl of this cozy, spicy white chicken chili! Made with juicy pieces of lean chicken, tender white beans and corn, plus the perfect hint of green chili heat. Dress it up with corn chips and sour cream for a zesty Tex-Mex dinner!

Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken Breasts Recipe

Bring a taste of the tropics to family dinner with this succulent Instant Pot pineapple chicken recipe! Chicken breast covered in a tangy sauce with chunks of ripe pineapple is great to serve over rice for a no-fuss weeknight meal.

Photo Credit:Tastes Better from Scratch

Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Embrace the flavors of Louisiana and keep everything in one pan with this easy recipe for Instant Pot jambalaya! A delicious southern dish featuring chicken and andouille sausage, plus tons of peppers, onions, and Cajun-style spices.

Photo Credit:Fox and Briar

Instant Pot Chicken Ramen

The whole family will love this sped-up recipe for ramen that only takes half an hour in the Instant Pot! Prepared with your favorite Asian-inspired ingredients in a flavorful broth that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours.

Photo Credit:The Recipe Well

Instant Pot Chicken Pad Thai

Another trip to the Far East that you can take without leaving home! Make this easy and healthy pad thai recipe in the Instant Pot and enjoy all the saucy, peanut flavors tossed with chicken and crunchy vegetables.

Photo Credit:Cooking With Karli

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie

All the deliciously creamy flavors of an original chicken pot pie, without the wait! Dump the ingredients into the Pot and have this version ready to go in under 30 minutes. Packed with tender potatoes, carrots, and chicken, it’s just as full of flavor!

Photo Credit:Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Take your Tex-Mex evening up a notch with easy homemade fajitas, made tender and juicy in the Instant Pot. Saucy chicken pieces and crisp veggies can be loaded into tortillas or served over rice for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner.

Photo Credit:Spend With Pennies

Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables (30 Min Meal!)

Dump and cook your chicken and veg all in one pot with this perfect recipe! Chicken thighs are deliciously seasoned with herbs and cooked in a cozy broth with loads of nourishing veggies. An easy dinner, made fast!

Photo Credit:My Food Story

Instant Pot Chicken Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon

One bowl of this thick and creamy corn chowder topped with crispy bacon, and you’ll be making it again and again – luckily, that’s easy to do with the Instant Pot! Chicken, potatoes and sweet corn come together in this easy one-pot comfort food.

Photo Credit:Sweet Peas and Saffron

Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts

You NEED to try this creamy lemon parmesan sauce. It’s pure perfection, smothered over juicy chicken while still being low carb and gluten free! Light and easy chicken dinners don’t get better than this.

Photo Credit:Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

A classic Italian dish is made healthier with this nutrient-packed recipe for fall-off-the-bone chicken cacciatore! This is the ultimate meal to feed a crowd, loaded with protein and veggies and perfect for serving over rice and pasta. Even if you’re only feeding a few, it makes great leftovers!

Photo Credit:Cookin Canuck

Chicken and Rice Soup

Take 10 minutes of prep and then leave the pressure cooker setting to do the rest! This lush and tasty chicken and rice soup is full of hearty ingredients, and the best dinner for cozy evenings.