It’s not often that I find a recipe gap on the internet, but I looked and looked and couldn’t find what I thought was a simple guide for how to cook Instant Pot Chicken.
I had a basic question: how many minutes does it take to cook chicken in an Instant Pot?
knew it would vary depending on if I was making Instant Pot chicken breasts or Instant Pot chicken thighs, if my chicken was frozen or fresh, and if it was bone-in or bone-out, but I wanted an easy answer.
You would think this kind of basic information (Instant Pot chicken!) would be easy to find. It wasn’t…until now.
The instant pot has become an incredibly popular kitchen appliance for its ability to quickly cook foods that traditionally take much longer One of the most common uses for the instant pot is boiling chicken, which can be done in a fraction of the time of traditional boiling methods. But exactly how long does it take to boil chicken in an instant pot? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know
An Overview of Boiling Chicken in the Instant Pot
An electric pressure cooker called an Instant Pot lets you quickly boil food under pressure. The pressure that is trapped makes the water boil higher, which makes food cook faster. The sealed area also keeps steam in, which cooks the chicken moist and tender.
When you boil chicken in the Instant Pot, the meat is juicy and falls off the bone. The flavors come from any broth, herbs, or spices that you add to the cooking liquid. The chicken can then be used in many different meals, such as chicken salad, tacos, pasta, and more. It’s a simple way to make chicken that can be shredded or chopped for meals.
How Long Does it Take to Boil Chicken in an Instant Pot?
The exact time needed to boil chicken in an instant pot depends on a few factors
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Cut of chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts take less time than bone-in thighs.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you add, the longer it takes to come to pressure and cook through.
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Size/thickness of pieces – Smaller, thinner pieces cook faster than large, thick pieces.
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Frozen or thawed – Frozen chicken takes longer than thawed.
As a general guideline, here are average instant pot boiling times for chicken:
- Boneless chicken breasts (4-6 pieces): 8-10 minutes
- Bone-in chicken thighs (4-6 pieces): 12-15 minutes
- Bone-in chicken drumsticks (4-6 pieces): 15-18 minutes
- Boneless skinless thighs (4-6 pieces): 10-12 minutes
- Whole chicken (3-5 lbs): 25-30 minutes
If you have a different model of Instant Pot, please keep in mind that cook times may be different. Learn how your pot works and change the times as needed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boiling Chicken in an Instant Pot
Follow these simple steps for perfect boiled chicken every time:
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Add liquid: Pour 1 cup of water, broth, or wine into the instant pot. This will create steam.
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Season chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc.
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Add chicken: Place seasoned chicken into the instant pot in a single layer.
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Secure lid: Lock the lid in place and move the pressure release valve to ‘sealing.’
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Select cooking function: Choose the manual/pressure cook function and adjust cook time based on cut of chicken.
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Allow natural release: When timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 10-15 minutes before opening lid.
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Check doneness: Chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F.
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Shred or serve: Shred chicken for recipes or serve whole pieces.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked, flavorful boiled chicken every time:
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Use a trivet or steamer basket to elevate chicken above liquid.
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Add aromatics to the cooking liquid like garlic, onion, herbs.
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Use broth, wine or other flavorful liquids instead of plain water.
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Allow for natural release to prevent overcooking.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness.
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Adjust cook times as needed based on cut, amount, and model of instant pot.
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Don’t overfill pot – chicken should cook in a single layer.
What to Do with Boiled Instant Pot Chicken
You can use your Instant Pot for a lot of different things once you know how to boil chicken in it. Here are some ideas:
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Chicken Salad: Shred chicken and mix with mayo, celery, onion, and seasonings for an easy chicken salad.
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Tacos: Season boiled chicken with taco seasoning and fill tortillas for easy weeknight tacos.
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Sandwiches: Pile sliced or shredded chicken onto bread or rolls for chicken sandwiches.
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Soups and Stews: Add bite-sized boiled chicken to soups, chilis, stews and more.
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Casseroles: Mix chopped chicken with rice, pasta or veggies, top with cheese and bake.
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Stir Fry: Slice or shred chicken and stir fry with veggies and sauce for a quick meal.
As you can see, knowing how to quickly boil chicken in the instant pot opens up a world of easy, healthy meals for your family. In less than 30 minutes, you can have incredibly moist, tender chicken ready to use in anything from entrees to sandwiches and more. Experiment with different cook times and seasonings until you find your perfect boiled chicken.
STEP THREE: Add the Trivet + Seasoning
- Even though this step isn’t required, I think it will help your chicken cook more evenly, so I suggest you do it.
- You can also season the chicken now if you want to, but you don’t have to. I keep it simple with salt and pepper.
Why Does My Instant Pot Say Burn?
- When the heat sensor on an Instant Pot reads a high temperature on the bottom of the pot, which can mean that the food is getting too hot, it sounds the BURN alarm. This stops the pot from heating until the problem is fixed.
- Make sure that the amount of water you use is right for your Instant Pot. If you follow these steps, you shouldn’t have any trouble with this because they use enough water to stop the warning.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken w/ Special Pro Tip for Easy Shredding (+ option for Slow Cooker)
FAQ
How long does it take to boil chicken in an Instant Pot?
How Long to Cook Chicken in a Pressure Cooker. Boneless chicken breasts and thighs cook in the same amount of time—just 10 minutes at high pressure will do it!.
How long does it take raw chicken to cook in an Instant Pot?
Cook the chicken on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. – Set to HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. For fresh chicken, it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure. Expect frozen chicken to take 12 to 15 minutes to come up to pressure. Jun 28, 2024.
How long does the Instant Pot take to boil?
This usually takes about 5-10 minutes to boil water, depending on how much water you’ve added. Once it reaches pressure, the 4-minute cooking time will begin counting down.
How long do you boil chicken in a pot?
Cover and let it cook on low for 8 to 15 minutes. Once it starts to boil, turn down the heat and cover the pan. Cook for 8 minutes, then begin checking the chicken to see if it’s done. Thin cutlets will cook in about 8 minutes; large chicken breasts will need up to 15 minutes.
How long does it take to boil chicken in Instant Pot?
How long does it take to boil chicken in an Instant Pot? The cooking time for boiling chicken in an Instant Pot varies depending on the size and cut of the chicken. As a general guideline, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be boiled for 8-10 minutes, while bone-in chicken pieces may take around 10-12 minutes.
How long does it take to cook boneless chicken in Instant Pot?
On average, it takes about 8-10 minutes of actual cooking time to boil boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an Instant Pot. However, the total time may vary depending on factors such as the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, as well as the specific model of the Instant Pot being used.
How does the Instant Pot cook chicken?
The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, which means it uses high pressure to cook food faster than traditional cooking methods. The cooking time is determined by the type of chicken, its size, and the desired level of doneness. The Instant Pot has two primary cooking modes:
Can You boil frozen chicken in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can boil frozen chicken in an Instant Pot. However, it is recommended to thaw the chicken before boiling to ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption. How long does it take to boil chicken in an Instant Pot? The time it takes to boil chicken in an Instant Pot depends on how big and how it’s cut.
Why should you boil chicken in an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that not only saves time but also ensures tender and flavorful results. Here are a few reasons why boiling chicken in an Instant Pot is a game-changer: Time-Saving: The Instant Pot significantly reduces the cooking time compared to traditional stovetop boiling methods.
How long to cook frozen chicken thighs in Instant Pot?
If you’re cooking frozen chicken breasts, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time. For example: Chicken thighs are another popular cut of chicken to cook in an Instant Pot. These are the general cooking times for chicken thighs: If you’re cooking frozen chicken thighs, add 5 to 10 minutes to the time listed below. For example: