How To Cook Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts

Cooking frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is the best time saver for getting dinner on the table fast. An easy weeknight dinner solution. This is a simple way to cook chicken that is always juicy and tender. It is never overcooked or dry.

Simple meals for busy weeknight dinners almost always start with the Instant Pot in my house. I love how easy this pressure cooker is to use to get dinner ready in minutes. Just literally dump a few boneless, skinless frozen chicken breasts in to cook. Then come back minutes later to perfectly cooked, juicy and tender chicken.

No Need To Thaw

I can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten to take out chicken to thaw. Such a simple thing to take from the freezer to the refrigerator. Naw, doesn’t happen. Despite having a meal plan. Then comes in my dinner saving Instant Pot to the rescue.

Cooking frozen chicken breasts usually means thawing in the microwave. Then baking in the oven for an hour. Not so good for the family. I swear HANGRY is a real thing!

Enter the Instant Pot. This is my favorite way to cook frozen chicken breasts which I always have in my freezer.

I buy chicken from Costco. They sell frozen chicken breasts individually wrapped which makes sure none of them are stuck together. Another time saver in my book.

Quick Dinner Ideas For Cooked Chicken

Chicken for dinner is a staple at my house. It is a quick meal that everyone enjoys. Especially this Instant Pot chicken chili.

You could serve the cooked chicken as a main dish with some vegetables or use it in your favorite recipe.

This is a great way to meal prep.

Here’s a few cooked chicken recipe suggestions:

• Add BBQ sauce to shredded chicken for BBQ sandwiches
• Add taco seasoning to shredded chicken for tacos

How Long Do You Cook Frozen Chicken In The Instant Pot

Frozen chicken breasts in the pressure cooker only need twelve minutes to cook. Use the manual or pressure button on your Instant Pot to set the time for twelve minutes at high pressure. You could also use the Poultry button. Just make sure it is set for twelve minutes.

If your chicken breasts are very thick, you may need to increase the time to fifteen minutes.

This cook time doesn’t take into account the time needed for the pressure cooker to come to pressure. More on that later.

How To Cook Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts

• Add 2 – 3 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
• The chicken breasts cook better when they are not frozen all together. Selecting individually frozen chicken breasts is best. If the chicken breasts are frozen together, simply run cold water over them till they separate.
• You don’t use the trivet with this recipe. If using the trivet, the chicken breasts will need longer to cook. Skip the trivet.
• Pour in one cup chicken stock over chicken breasts (you could use water but the chicken stock adds flavor).
• Sprinkle on your favorite seasoning (I use Mrs. Dash). You could add garlic powder for more flavor. Or simply use salt and pepper.
• Close the lid on the Instant Pot.
• Point the steam release handle to sealing.
• Using the pressure cook or manual button (or poultry button) set for 12 minutes at high pressure.
• When finished cooking, use a natural pressure release to let out the steam.

Check The Internal Temperature

Using a quick read thermometer, I always check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked. The temperature should be at 165℉. Be sure to place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken breast.

Pot In Pot Cooking

One of the awesome uses of the Instant Pot is you can actually cook two dishes at the same time. For example, cooking chicken along with potatoes or rice is such a time saver.

I often will place chicken breasts in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Then, with either a steamer basket full of chopped potatoes or a bowl of rice on top.

This is what is called pot in pot cooking. It takes the same amount of time! No altering the cook time.

Pot in pot cooking is one advantage to cooking with a pressure cooker. By layering foods, you save time. For example, place a steamer or metal bowl to cook a side dish on top of the main meat that is cooking in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

Both foods are cooking at the same time. Pure genius!

CHECKOUT MY MUST HAVE INSTANT POT ACCESSORIES

Instant Pot Chicken And Rice

My daughter has even used the Instant Pot to cook herself a lunch to take to work. It was one of those days when we had nothing in the house for her to make a lunch.

We had frozen chicken and raw rice though!

So, she was able to cook one frozen chicken breast with a cup of chicken stock. Add a half cup of rice with a half cup of water in a metal bowl. Set that on top and tada!

Twelve minutes later (not including coming to pressure time) she had lunch to go.

How Long Does It Take For The Instant Pot To Come To Pressure

The time it takes the Instant Pot to come to pressure can vary with cooking frozen food. With my daughter’s lunch, the pressure cooker took around 15 minutes to come to pressure. Which is the normal length of time.

However, when I cook three frozen chicken breasts, it takes the Instant Pot 25 minutes to come to pressure. This is due to the fact there is more frozen food to heat up. Foods at room temperature or refrigerated will come to pressure quicker than frozen.

Favorite Instant Pot Desserts To Try