A pressure cooker or instant pot was MADE with the busy mom in mind! Make creating home-cooked dinners a breeze when you’re facing a time crunch (which for me is nearly EVERY DAY!) You’ll want to have your recipe cards ready for these budget-friendly, instant pot chicken recipes.
If your chicken dinner repertoire could use a facelift, you’ll want to check out these 21 easy Instant Pot chicken recipes!
21 Delicious Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for Beginners
Maybe you’re intimidated by your brand new pressure cooker and not quite sure what to do with it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I was there too, but honestly, this miracle kitchen gadget is worth the small investment of time to unlock its delicious secrets!
After I gave it an honest try and muddled through a few simple recipes, I gained the confidence I needed to feel like a PRO! These days, you can’t drag me away from my Instant Pot! I recently went on a quest for new recipes to try, and since our family LOVES chicken, that seemed like the best place to start.
Wow, did I find a gold mine of yummy-looking ideas! Here are 21 of my new favorite chicken Instant Pot recipes that are perfect for those new to the pressure cooking lifestyle. WELCOME!
PS: If these recipes don’t fully convince you to all in love with your Instant Pot, be sure to check out Skinny Kung Pao Chicken
Easy Chicken Instant Pot Recipes That Anyone Can Make (Really!)
Cooking with an Instant Pot is certainly a massive time-saver. You should understand that preparing your favorite recipes with a pressure cooker is different from other traditional cooking methods. It takes a bit of adjusting but it’s worth it in the end.
Most Instant Pot recipes are one-pot stops. Yes, you read that correctly. When it comes to those marathon dish cleaning sessions and the usual need to rotate kitchen stations a hundred times per meal… this is literally a life (and back) saver!
(Pssst! If you have leftover food, be sure to try these leftover ideas! Modify seasonally or based on what’s taking up room in your fridge.)
“Winner-winner-chicken-dinner” Recipes, Instant Pot style!
1) Rotisserie Chicken
Right off the bat, this one is a GAME CHANGER! You can make a whole rotisserie chicken (okay, a faux-tisserie chicken) in the Instant Pot! WHAT!? No more frantic 4:30 Costco runs?! That’s right, folks, you can cook your own in just about 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken from Cooking With Curls yields tender, juicy, lick-your-fingers good meat for dinner now! It also makes for fabulous salad or wraps as leftovers. *chef’s kiss*
2) Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
If you’re watching carbs or calories, these Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Glue Stick & Gumdrops make a healthy lunch or even a light dinner idea. If carbs are not an issue for you, this instant pot buffalo chicken recipe can be served on a bun or baked potato.
This tasty chicken is easy to make…takes literally no time and has buffalo sauce on it. I can’t even ask for more…
3) Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings
For game days or summer weekends, try Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings from My Stay At Home Adventures and serve up a smash hit! They’re tangy, delicious, and the perfect appetizer for any party. Pair them with blue cheese or ranch for a truly delectable experience.
4) Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Get the ease of Asian takeout without blowing half your food budget. Instant Pot Orange Chicken from A Fork’s Tale can be ready in about 15 minutes, and your family will gobble it up even faster than that. 😉. All you need are chicken breasts, sweet barbecue sauce, soy sauce, orange marmalade, cornstarch and green onions.
5) Chili Lime Chicken
This AMAZING Chili Lime Chicken from Our Best Bites is a staple in our home!! Think tacos, salad, enchiladas… the works! And let’s not just gloss over the “SIX MINUTES” part. Who doesn’t have six minutes to make dinner?
DID YOU KNOW? If your pressure-cooked chicken isn’t turning out quite the way you’d hoped, you’re probably cooking it too long. I found out this nugget and lots of other helpful tips in this Chili Lime Chicken recipe.
6) Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta
I’ve never gone wrong with a recipe from Six Sisters’ Stuff. This Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta from Six Sisters Stuff is on this month’s menu for our family. With lots of cream cheese and zesty Italian seasoning, it’s a must-try dish! Ingredients include chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, italian dressing dry mix, chicken broth and pasta.
7) Chicken Tikka Masala
I can almost smell this recipe from Savory Tooth. Chicken Tikka Masala with lots of sauce can be done in the pressure cooker. Serve it with a big helping of basmati rice to soak it all up. You will need the following ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Garam masala
- Fresh lemon juice
- Ground black pepper
- Ground ginger
- Tomato sauce
- Cloves of garlic
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Heavy whipping cream
8) Chicken Taco Bowls
Instant Pot dump recipes are my current favorites since I’m new to pressure cooking. This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls from my friend Corinne at Wondermom Wannabe is a super simple, super tasty meal the whole family will love. You will need uncooked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, salsa, jasmine rice, chicken broth, cheddar cheese, cilantro and sour cream.
9) BBQ Chicken and Potatoes
We are BBQ fanatics in our house. Seriously, slap some barbecue sauce on just about anything, and we’ll eat it! This instant pot BBQ Chicken and Potatoes from Clark’s Condensed is a great way to get our fix fast, and it looks positively scrumptious. Ingredients to make this simple dinner: chicken breast, BBQ sauce, water, Italian seasoning, garlic, potatoes and onion.
10) Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Call me lazy, but sometimes I don’t want to fuss with cutting up chicken (and I’m not a big fan of drumsticks, wings, or thighs). With this pressure cooker chicken and rice from The Typical Mom, I don’t have to do any chopping!
It calls for frozen veggies and whole chicken breasts, so this instant pot chicken recipe is definitely easy peasy to prepare.
11) Teriyaki Rice With Chicken and Broccoli
This Instant Pot chicken recipe from Life Made Sweeter for Teriyaki Rice With Chicken and Broccoli is ready in about 30 minutes. I think that makes it the perfect weeknight meal for the entire family. And hellooo leftovers! To make the Teriyaki sauce you will need: soy sauce, rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, honey, mirin or sherry, arrowroot or corn starch and water. To make the rice and chicken you will need sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil, boneless skinless chicken breast, salt, pepper, garlic cloves, minced ginger, red bell peppers, shredded carrots, Jasmine rice, water, broccoli, edamame beans, sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
12) 21 Day Fix Chicken Marsala
21 Day Fix Chicken Marsala from Confessions of a Fit Foodie is a healthy meal that works for your low carb or keto diet. It doesn’t hurt that it’s nice enough to serve to company without them feeling like they’re also on a diet.
After all, nothing’s worse than being invited for dinner and then the host reveals that he’s on a lettuce-only diet. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but you get what I mean.
13) Honey Bourbon Chicken
Add some rice and veggies to this saucy, juicy Honey Bourbon Chicken and it will become a fast favorite for your family. It reheats beautifully, too. Once A Month Meals has done it again! Yum! You will need chicken thighs, salt, black pepper, onion, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil, cloves of garlic, red pepper flakes and honey.
14) Chicken Faux Pho
This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Faux Pho is best made with a skin-on, bone-in chicken. The Sophisticated Caveman says this makes for a heartier broth, which is definitely necessary for the soup. Ingredients for this delicious dinner idea: assorted chicken pieces, onions, ginger chopped, coriander seed, green cardamom pods, black cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon grass stalk, fish sauce, cilantro, bok choy, daikon root and sea salt.
15) Instant Pot Chicken Recipe for Mexican Shredded Chicken
Rebooted Mom’s version of Shredded Mexican Chicken is a must-try for the Instant Pot. Use it for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or serve it over warm rice. It’s so versatile! To make this grab: boneless skinless chicken breasts, EVOO, salsa, brown sugar, diced tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper and liquid smoke.
16) Chicken Tortilla Soup
In the fall and winter, nothing will warm you up faster than A Pinch of Healthy’s Chicken Tortilla Soup in the pressure cooker. Even kids love it! You simply can’t miss it, especially when you need dinner in about 30 minutes. Here is what else you will need: chicken stock or chicken broth, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic cloves, chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, black pepper, boneless skinless chicken breasts, black beans, corn kernels, lime juice, cilantro, tortilla chips, avocado, cheese, sour cream or guacamole.
17) Indian Butter Chicken
Make this delicious Indian Butter Chicken from Raegun Ramblings when you’re in the mood for something with a spicy kick. Adjust the spices to your family’s liking, such as adding more jalapeno for a dish with a little more bite to it. All you need: boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced tomatoes or juice, jalapeno pepper, fresh ginger, butter, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, heavy cream, greek yogurt, garam masala and corn starch.
18) Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Tacos don’t have to be just for Tuesdays! These Chipotle Chicken Tacos from A Dash of Herbs are fabulous! Not only are they kid-friendly, but they’re Weight Watchers friendly, too. Can you believe they’re only 4 SmartPoints?
19) Spicy Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you’re looking for a way to use frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, try this Spicy Sweet and Sour Chicken from Aunt Bee’s Recipes. It’s crazy good, and frozen chicken is so convenient!
20) Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Here’s A Pinch of Healthy’s version of Instant Pot Chicken and Rice that I’ve tried personally, and my family thinks is delicious! We add a little oregano and rosemary to ours, but this instant pot chicken recipe is yummy as is, too. You will need boneless skinless chicken thighs, cooking spray, shallots, carrots, sliced mushrooms, cloves fresh garlic, uncooked white rice, chicken stock or chicken broth, fresh thyme leaves, salt and black pepper.
21) Skinny Kung Pao Chicken
Savor Sweet C’s Skinny Kung Pao Chicken in less time than it takes to order takeout! Just look at all the boxes it checks:
- It’s paleo compliant.
- It’s a Whole-30 complaint
- It tastes good!
Win, win, win!
With this library of go-to instant pot chicken recipes, soon you’ll be basking in the joy and simplicity of cooking with your pressure cooker. From classic Instant Pot chicken and rice to Instant Pot Chicken dump recipes – and beyond, you’ll never want to go back!
Be bold, try new things, and the next thing you know, your Instant Pot will be your new favorite kitchen gadget.
