Instant Pot Chicken Breast is a fool-proof method for preparing chicken breast. Whether cooking fresh or frozen chicken breast, this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts produces perfectly cooked, tender, juicy chicken every single time.
Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breast
This is the ORIGINAL and best recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast. Literally millions of happy readers have made it over the years, returning to this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breasts time and time again!
With fabulous reviews and one key ingredient that makes this recipe stand out above the rest, you can guarantee this is the only recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast you will ever need!
The key ingredient to my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast that makes it SO much better than any other recipe is PINEAPPLE JUICE! The pineapple juice may sound like an odd addition for cooking savory chicken breast, but it adds a nice subtle flavor to the chicken and more importantly, the pineapple juice helps to tenderize the chicken.
The combination of using pineapple juice along with the correct timing for cooking Instant Pot Chicken Breast makes this a WINNING recipe! No more tough, rubbery, or dried-out chicken breast!
Whether fresh or frozen, you can whip up Instant Pot Chicken Breasts in record time, making dinner a breeze!
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Fresh or frozen, small or large, you can use any boneless, skinless chicken breasts you have on hand. You will determine the cooking time based on the size of the chicken breast.
- Pineapple Juice: Don't worry, the pineapple juice will not make your chicken taste sweet. It gives it a subtle flavor while tenderizing the chicken. However, if you don't have pineapple juice on hand use chicken broth/stock.
- Seasonings: Salt and minced garlic are the perfect complements to the chicken and pineapple. But you can use Seasoned Salt, Taco Seasoning, or any other combination of your favorite seasoning blends to amp up the flavor if desired.
How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot
- Place the chicken breasts into the inner pot of the instant pot and season the chicken with salt.
- Pour the pineapple juice, or chicken broth, over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic over the chicken breasts.
- Place lid on the instant pot and be sure vent knob is pointed towards sealed.
- Set pressure cooker to the cooking time based on the size of chicken breasts. NOT how many chicken breasts you are cooking.
- 6-ounce chicken breasts: 6 minutes on high pressure for fresh/ 10 minutes on high pressure for frozen chicken
- 8-ounce chicken breasts: 7 minutes on high pressure for fresh/11 minutes on high pressure for frozen chicken
- 10-ounce chicken breasts: 8 minutes on high pressure for fresh/12 minutes on high pressure for frozen chicken
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release of pressure. This is key to keeping your chicken breasts tender--don't be tempted to do a quick release of pressure.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the liquid and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving or shredding.
Size Matters
You determine the cooking time for Instant Pot Chicken Breast based on the size of individual breasts, not the total weight. Keep in mind it is best to cook chicken breasts that are approximately the same weight, so they all cook up evenly.
You don't need a kitchen scale to determine the weight of each chicken breast. Most organic chicken breasts will be about 6 ounces, most fresh chicken breast you purchase at the grocery store is about 8 ounces, and bulk chicken breasts are typically about 10 ounces in size.
How to Determine Weight
If you want to be exact, you can use a kitchen scale to measure the size of chicken breasts or divide the number of ounces in your package of chicken breasts by how many chicken breasts are in the package.
For example, if you have a package of 4 chicken breasts that weighs 1.5 pounds, or 24 ounces, you would divide 24 by 4, resulting in 6. That means each chicken breast weighs about 6 ounces, and you would set the cooking time based on 6-ounce chicken breasts.
Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
The process for cooking frozen chicken breast in the Instant Pot is not much different than cooking thawed or fresh chicken breast. But there are two things to keep in mind.
- You will need to add 4 minutes to the cooking time.
- If chicken breasts are frozen together, they need to be separated in order to cook evenly. If your chicken breasts are frozen together, I suggest placing them in a bowl of cold water for a couple of minutes until you can break them apart into individual breasts.
What if the Chicken is not Cooked?
Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before being safe to consume.
Once your cook time has elapsed and pressure has been released, check the internal temperature of your chicken breast. If less than 160 degrees F, place the lid back on the pressure cooker and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes on high pressure.
If the chicken has reached 160 degrees F, it should reach 165 degrees F as it rests.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
I love using shredded chicken for recipes like Cheesy Chicken and Rice and Homemade Chicken Pot Pie, and it couldn't be easier to make tender shredded chicken than by using the Instant Pot.
- Cook the chicken as the recipe directs.
- Once cooking time has elapsed and pressure has been released, remove the chicken breast from the instant pot and place it into a large mixing bowl along with ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
- Shred the chicken, using two forks, a handheld mixer at medium speed, or a stand mixer at low speed. Alternatively, you can shred the chicken right in the inner pot of your instant pot using 2 forks or a handheld mixer.
Storage
Once cooked and slightly cooled, store leftover cooked chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the chicken breast whole, sliced, or shredded, in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Tips to Remember
We covered A LOT of tips! To recap, here are the most important things to remember when cooking chicken breast in the Instant Pot.
- Set the cooking time based on the size of chicken breasts--NOT how many chicken breasts you are cooking.
- Don't use the Poultry Setting! The poultry button is a PRE-Determined time based on AVERAGE chicken. Not chicken breast, not chicken thighs, not a whole chicken--just chicken. You need to control the time you cook your chicken breast yourself! Instead, I always recommend cooking on high pressure using the manual or pressure cook setting to adjust the cooking time yourself. Read more about Instant Pot Functions to know how to properly use your Instant Pot.
- Be patient. It is always best to let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes when cooking meat to keep it from becoming tough.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
If you do better learning through visual instruction and video, be sure to check out my YouTube Video for Instant Pot Chicken Breast.
Serving Suggestions
The uses for Instant Pot Chicken Breast are endless. Use in your favorite recipe or one of the suggestions below.
- Serve the chicken breast as the main entree. It is delicious plain or with barbecue sauce.
- Slice up the chicken breast and serve over a salad.
- Toss sliced or cubed chicken breast with BBQ sauce or Buffalo Sauce and use for Buffalo Chicken Salad or BBQ Chicken Salad.
- Cut the chicken breast into chunks and use it to make a Chicken Salad Sandwich.
- Shred the chicken breast to use for Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Enchiladas, or Parmesan Chicken Casserole.
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
- Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken--The best method for cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot this recipe produces flavorful, juicy, tender "roast" chicken.
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken--Tender chicken that is perfectly spiced with buffalo seasoning, this recipe is a great base for numerous dishes.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos--Made with just 4 ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this is one of the easiest, tastiest Instant Pot chicken recipes.
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs--This is a great basic recipe for cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken--This easy instant pot recipe can be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts and is coated in a delicious sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
If you enjoyed this Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe, please be sure to take the time to leave a comment and a review.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) see notes on timing
- 1 cup pineapple juice or chicken broth use 1.5 cups if using an 8 quart instant pot
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon if using chicken broth
Instructions
- Place chicken breast(s) into the inner pan of the Instant Pot. Sprinkle the chicken with salt. Pour the pineapple juice over the chicken breast and add the minced garlic. (Use 1 cup of liquid for a 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot and 1.5 cups of liquid for an 8-quart Instant Pot.)
- Close the lid and turn the vent to the closed (sealed) position.
- Set Cook Time BASED on Size of the Largest Chicken Breast (The cook time is for what each chicken breast weighs--not what the TOTAL weight is)Small Chicken Breast (6-ounce chicken breasts) set time for 6 minutes on high pressure for fresh/ 10 minutes on high pressure for frozenMedium Chicken Breast (8-ounce chicken breasts) set time for 7 minutes on high pressure for fresh/11 minutes on high pressure for frozenLarge Chicken Breast (10-ounce chicken breasts) set time for 8 minutes on high pressure for fresh/12 minutes on high pressure for frozen
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally on its own for at least 10 minutes. Then do a quick release of pressure if needed.
- Remove the chicken from the liquid and rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve as desired.
To Shred Instant Pot Chicken
- Prepare chicken as the recipe directs above. Once cook time has elapsed and pressure has been released naturally for at least 10 minutes, remove the cooked chicken breast from the instant pot and drain off all but ½ cooking liquid. Add chicken and reserved liquid back into the inner pot or a large mixing bowl and shred with two forks or a handheld mixer on medium speed. You can also shred in a stand mixer on low speed.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was updated with a new video and step-by-step pictures in 2022, but the recipe has not changed. The old picture for reference is below.
Steph G
Inaccurate frozen cook times, twice tried now. The second time I tried with the max time for large even though I Def had medium size breasts at less than 3 lbs total, released naturally for 12 minutes ( chasing the dog for 2), and they were still pink raw. I opened the top and immediately inserted a culinary thermometer and closed the lid, after 2 minutes, opened the lid to reveal an internal temperature of 140. The only thing I can think of is they were frozen together, 3 in a zip lock. But either way pressure should distribute evenly even so.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Steph. My instructions for frozen state is to be sure the chicken breasts are not frozen together, as this results in uneven cooking and the need for a much longer time. In the future, I would suggest running the breasts under cold water to break them up and then cooking as directed. That should work for you 🙂
Tom
Tom
Hi Kristen, I like your simple, educational cooking tips and substitutions.
I would like to try your IP Pineapple with blanched chicken breast..
Since the breast are already 'cooked', should I just simmer breast in Pineapple juice before shredding? Thanks for your reply.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tom! Thank you for the kind words! Personally, I would not recommend simmering poached chicken again, as it can easily become tough. I would instead opt to use the pineapple juice to poach chicken in the future.
Jin
I cooked chicken pozole using a regular pan. It came out tough. Can I still remedy it using my instant pot (to the rescue)? Please help. Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jin! It would be worth a try, as long as your recipe did add flour, hasa harina, or cream. I would pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure with a full natural pressure release.
Tamira Houston
I love reading your story and your chicken looks great as well as your other recipes thanks for sharing your talent I think you're a great cook and have a really wonderful family💝😃💯😊 God BLESS always 💖 💕 😊 😀 ❤ ☺ 💖you 😊 always 😊
Tamira Houston
Great chicken recipe thank you for sharing
Kamille
Hi! I tried the cooking time with 6 thawed 8oz chicken breasts...8 minutes. The blog says 7 but I added a minute because it just seemed too short 🤣 the instant pot depressurized before 10minutes elapsed after cooking for 8 minutes. The chicken was not done. Where did I go wrong? Is it 7minutes per 8ozchicken breast?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kamille! I would suggest checking to be sure you used cold, not warm stock or pineapple juice, and that your pressure was set to high not low. If all that was the case, it may have been that the chicken was not fully defrosted, or your model runs a bit cooler.
Kaylie
Hi! Can you stack the chicken breasts? I have 5 breasts that won't fit in a single layer. Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! You can stack chicken breasts in several layers as long as they are not frozen solid together.
Kendra
Yeah thanks so much! I’ve loved my ip for 2 years now but it’s so nice to get great ideas and tips. Do you think the pineapple juice would help with beef so I can make shredded beef meals?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kendra! I do think pineapple and beef are a great combo--especially when using the beef for Tex Mex recipes. I also love adding in a bit of horseradish for pot roast and stew to help tenderize.
Lula
I have 3 frozen boneless, skinless, chicken breasts equalling 3 pounds. Are they the same weight as thawed? Are the cooking times above for thawed or frozen? How long do I cook my 3 pounds of frozen chicken?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lula! The cooking time for chicken breasts is based on the size of 1 chicken breast, regardless of how many chicken breasts you have. It sounds like your chicken breasts each weigh 1 pound. If the chicken is thawed, I would cook for 15 minutes on high pressure. If the chicken is frozen, I would be sure the breasts are not frozen in one lump (they need to each be separated) and then cook for 19 minutes on high pressure. I hope that helps.
Cindi
Kristen's,
Hello! I am so happy that I found your instant pot chicken with pineapple juice recipe! My family loves it! Your recipe is so quick and easy to make! My chicken turns out perfect every time!
I use the cooked chicken breast by themselves and in other recipes that call for already cooked chicken breasts. Tonight I made the chicken breasts and cut the breast up and put them on a salad with strawberries, blueberries, cheese, and raspberry sweet and sour dressing. It was yummy!
Thank you so much for sharing your instant pot recipes! I have made several of your recipes. They have all been so delicious and easy to make! Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
That salad sounds delicious Cindi! I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes--especially this Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tammy
Made this tonight and served with Ramen and corn on the cob as sides. While the chicken was moist the flavor was lacking. Ended up shredding the chicken and mixing it with the Ramen and it was very tasty! I'll make this again to be used in different entrees like chicken enchiladas or tortilla soup.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tammy. I am happy to hear the chicken was cooked the way I promised. As for flavor, feel free to add any dried seasonings you like 🙂
Cory
I'm new to the IP and I just did 2 - 1lb chicken breast (frozen), prior to finding your recipe, for 30 minutes attempting to make pulled chicken. I used a little over 1 cup of chicken broth. The chicken turned out tough and chewy. I wouldn't say it was dry but it was tough and chewy. Afterwards, I went searching the web and ended up here. So, from what I've read here, I probably should have done them for only 15 minutes with a 10 minute natural release? Is that correct? Thanks in advance. 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
That is correct Cory! Next time will be better 🙂
Larry
Since Cory said frozen shouldn't the time have been 19 minutes for 1 lb each breasts?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, that is what I said, 15 minutes for thawed chicken, 19 for frozen 🙂