10+ Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Chicken’s a go-to protein for so many people, and it’s honestly tough to mess up. If you’ve got an Instant Pot, you can make chicken in less time—and with less hassle—than you might think.

With just a few steps, you’ll have a flavorful chicken dish on the table. The Instant Pot helps you skip the fuss and get right to eating.

Ingredients

• Chicken (breasts, thighs, or whole)
• Salt and pepper
• Oil or butter
• Broth or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Add oil or butter to the Instant Pot, then use the sauté setting to brown the chicken.
3. Pour in broth or water to help keep things juicy.
4. Seal the lid and set to pressure cook—about 8-20 minutes, depending on your chicken cut.
5. Let the pressure release naturally or use quick release, then check if the chicken’s cooked through.

1) Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in the Instant Pot is a total weeknight win. The sweet honey and savory garlic make a sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything.

Chicken thighs work best—they stay juicy and soak up all that flavor. You need just a handful of pantry staples to pull this off.

The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, so you can relax. If you’re short on time, this recipe’s got your back.

Thighs are usually the top pick here, but you can swap in chicken breasts if you like. The texture is a bit different, but still good.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Stir together honey, garlic, soy sauce, and water in the Instant Pot.
2. Toss in the chicken thighs and coat them with sauce.
3. Seal it up and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Quick-release the pressure and remove the chicken.
5. Want a thicker sauce? Mix in cornstarch and use sauté until it thickens.
6. Serve chicken and sauce over rice or vegetables.

2) Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon garlic chicken in the Instant Pot is a lifesaver. You’ll get bright, zesty flavor with juicy chicken, and it’s all ready in under half an hour.

The buttery, lemony sauce is great over rice or potatoes. Honestly, I’d eat it with just about anything.

You don’t need much—just a few ingredients, and the Instant Pot keeps the chicken moist. It’s a solid option for busy nights when you want real food, fast.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Set Instant Pot to sauté, melt butter, and cook garlic for about a minute.
3. Add broth, lemon juice, and zest. Stir.
4. Place chicken in the pot, close the lid, and seal.
5. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
6. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then quick release.
7. Spoon sauce over the chicken and serve.

You can find more tips on making this dish at Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken.

3) Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

This one’s a classic: chicken and potatoes, done in one pot. Your kitchen will smell amazing in no time.

Chicken breasts and baby potatoes cook together, soaking up whatever seasoning you toss in. Ranch or lemon garlic are both solid choices.

Everything gets tender and flavorful after about 25 to 30 minutes under pressure. Less cleanup, more time to eat.

You can throw in carrots or onions if you’re feeling it. It’s a meal-prep favorite, too.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless chicken breasts
• 1.5 to 2 lbs baby potatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp ranch seasoning or lemon garlic sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: carrots, onions, rosemary, bay leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Turn on the Instant Pot and pour in olive oil.
2. Add chicken and potatoes.
3. Sprinkle on seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Close the lid and set valve to sealing.
5. Cook on high pressure for 25-30 minutes.
6. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then quick release.
7. Check that the chicken hits 165°F (74°C).

For an easy recipe, see Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes details here.

4) Instant Pot Chicken Marbella

Chicken Marbella is a little unexpected—salty olives, briny capers, and sweet dried fruit all in one dish. The Instant Pot makes it way less intimidating.

Chicken thighs get tossed with garlic, oregano, and a splash of red wine vinegar. You’ll end up with a rich, tangy sauce that clings to every bite.

The pressure cooker locks in all those flavors and keeps the chicken super tender.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1/8 cup dried oregano
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olives
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1/4 cup dried prunes or apricots
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown chicken thighs in avocado oil on sauté mode.
2. Add garlic, oregano, olives, capers, prunes, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
3. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
4. Wait 10 minutes for natural release, then quick release the rest.
5. Spoon that savory-sweet sauce over the chicken and serve.

For more details, check this Instant Pot Chicken Marbella recipe.

5) Instant Pot Chicken Breast

Cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is a total time-saver. Whether you start with fresh or frozen, you’ll get juicy results.

The pressure cooker keeps the meat from drying out. For fresh chicken, cook about 8-10 minutes. Frozen? Go for 10-12 minutes, depending on thickness.

Just make sure it hits 165°F (74°C) in the center. You can go simple with seasonings or add a sauce if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• 2-4 chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like.
2. Pour broth into the Instant Pot.
3. Set chicken on the trivet or right in the liquid.
4. Seal the lid and cook on high for 8-10 minutes (fresh) or 10-12 (frozen).
5. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then quick release.
6. Check the temp—165°F (74°C) or higher.
7. Slice and serve.

Try thickening the leftover juices for a quick sauce.

Read more about cooking times for fresh or frozen chicken breasts here.

6) Instant Pot Frozen Chicken

Forgot to thaw your chicken? No worries—just toss those frozen breasts in the Instant Pot.

Add a little salt, pepper, and maybe some paprika for extra flavor. The Instant Pot will cook everything evenly and keep it juicy.

Fifteen minutes on high pressure usually does the trick. Let it sit for five minutes before you open the lid.

This chicken is perfect for tacos, salads, or any quick dinner. You can always add a sauce if you want to jazz it up.

Ingredients

• 2 frozen chicken breasts
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Optional: herbs like thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Put frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
2. Sprinkle with salt, paprika, pepper, and herbs.
3. Close lid and set valve to sealing.
4. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
5. Wait 5 minutes, then quick release.
6. Check if it’s done—cook a bit longer if needed.

7) Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Chicken stew in the Instant Pot is pure comfort food. You get tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, and celery in a savory broth.

It comes together fast—great for when you want something hearty without waiting around. Toss in peas or fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.

The ingredients are basic and the steps are pretty straightforward. Even beginners can nail this one.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 pound chicken thighs or breasts, cut into pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: peas and herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Turn Instant Pot to sauté and heat olive oil.
2. Add onion, celery, and garlic; cook until soft.
3. Toss in chicken pieces and brown them a bit.
4. Pour in broth, potatoes, and carrots.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Seal and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
7. Wait 5 minutes, then quick release.
8. Stir in peas or herbs if you like, and serve warm.

For a detailed recipe, visit Instant Pot chicken stew recipes like this one from The Recipe Well.

8) Instant Pot Chicken with Quinoa and Pistachios

If you want to make chicken fast and still keep it juicy, this one’s a winner. The Instant Pot does most of the heavy lifting.

You’ll cook chicken breasts with quinoa, apricots, and pistachios. That combo brings in protein, fiber, and just a hint of sweetness.

It’s simple but honestly feels a little fancy and fresh. You start by seasoning the chicken, then toss everything into the Instant Pot.

The cooking is mostly hands-off, which is a relief on a busy night. Just add the quinoa mix, set the pressure, and let it go.

Ingredients

• 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each)
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

2. Add quinoa, pistachios, apricots, and onion to the Instant Pot.

3. Place the chicken breasts on top of the quinoa mixture.

4. Pour in the chicken broth.

5. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to pressure cook for 10 minutes.

6. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.

7. Remove chicken and fluff quinoa before serving.

If you want more details, check this Instant Pot Chicken with Quinoa, Pistachios and Apricots.

9) Instant Pot Ranch Chicken

Instant Pot Ranch Chicken is about as easy as it gets. You end up with tender, creamy chicken packed with that classic ranch flavor.

It’s perfect when you’re short on time or just don’t want to fuss with a bunch of ingredients. If you’ve got veggies or cheese, toss them in—why not?

The Instant Pot cooks everything fast, and the chicken stays moist. The ranch seasoning and cream cheese make the sauce rich and tangy.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
• 10 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup water
• 5 oz bacon (optional)
• 4 oz cheddar cheese (optional)
• 1 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Add water and ranch seasoning to the Instant Pot.

2. Place chicken breasts inside.

3. Add cream cheese on top.

4. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.

5. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release.

6. Stir in cheddar cheese and cooked bacon if you’re using them.

7. Serve warm and dig in.

You can refer to the full recipe at Instant Pot Ranch Chicken.

10) Instant Pot Chicken with Orzo

Here’s an easy way to cook chicken and orzo together in one pot. The orzo soaks up all those chicken flavors, making it super comforting.

Throw in herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil if you want more depth. The Instant Pot speeds everything up, and the chicken stays juicy.

Orzo turns out perfectly soft, not mushy. If you like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes, go ahead and add them for some extra color and taste.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup spinach (optional)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté. Brown the chicken on both sides—about 3 minutes per side.

2. Take the chicken out. Toss in the orzo, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning.

3. Give everything a good stir.

4. Put the chicken back on top of the orzo. Seal the lid.

5. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.

6. Carefully quick release the pressure.

7. Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes if you want.

8. Stir gently.

9. Serve warm.