how long to pressure cook frozen chicken breast

How Long to Pressure Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts for Perfectly Cooked Meat Every Time

Pressure cooking frozen chicken breasts is a quick, easy, and tasty way to get dinner on the table quickly. If you follow the right steps, the chicken will come out moist, flavorful, and fully cooked. Here’s a detailed guide on how long to pressure cook frozen chicken breasts so you get perfect results every time.

The Benefits of Pressure Cooking Frozen Chicken
Pressure cooking is one of the fastest, most convenient methods for cooking frozen chicken breasts. It can turn a solid block of frozen meat into a hot, delicious entrée in a fraction of the time of thawing, seasoning and oven baking. The intense pressure and steam inside the cooker quickly thaw and tenderize the meat while infusing it with lots of flavor.

Pressure cooked frozen chicken is succulent and juicy, never dry or stringy. The process also retains more nutrients compared to other cooking methods since the food cooks quickly with minimal liquid. Pressure cooking frozen chicken saves time and energy in the kitchen. You can start with frozen meat and have a complete meal ready in under half an hour.

Tips for Preparing Frozen Chicken Breasts

• Separate any chicken breasts that are stuck together before cooking. Run them under cool water or gently pry apart with a knife. Individual pieces will cook more evenly.

• Season the frozen chicken before pressure cooking. Rub with oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, herbs or spice blends. The seasoning will penetrate the meat as it cooks.

• Place chicken in a single layer on the bottom of the cooker. Don’t stack the pieces.

• Add at least 1/2 cup broth, water, wine or other cooking liquid to create steam.

Pressure Cooker Cooking Times: The amount of time needed to safely cook frozen chicken breasts in a pressure cooker depends on a few things:

• Size and thickness of the chicken breasts – Smaller/thinner pieces cook faster than larger/thicker pieces.

• Bone-in vs boneless – Boneless breasts cook faster.

• Different types of pressure cookers, like stovetop and electric models, have different psi.

• Quantity being cooked – More chicken requires more cook time.

Here are general pressure cooker cooking time guidelines for frozen chicken breasts:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts:

  • Small/thin, 1-2 breasts: 11-13 min
  • Large/thick, 1-2 breasts: 14-16 min
  • 3-4 small breasts: 13-15 min
  • 3-4 large breasts: 16-18 min

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts:

  • Small/thin, 1-2 breasts: 18-22 min
  • Large/thick, 1-2 breasts: 22-25 min
  • 3-4 small breasts: 20-24 min
  • 3-4 large breasts: 25-28 min

Check your pressure cooker’s manual for specific time recommendations based on model and capacity. Use a food thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally before serving.

Flavorful Liquid Options for Pressure Cooking
For the best moisture and flavor, pressure cook frozen chicken breasts with at least 1/2 cup of liquid such as:

• Chicken broth or stock
• Wine, beer or juice
• Tomatoes or marinara sauce
• Coconut milk
• Barbecue sauce
• Soy sauce, teriyaki or other Asian sauces
• Salsa
• Herb infused olive oil or butter

Spice it up with garlic, onions, herbs and seasonings. A flavorful cooking liquid will impart tons of taste to the chicken as it cooks.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Results
Follow these tips for foolproof pressure cooked frozen chicken every time:

• Use a trivet or steamer basket if stacking breasts. This allows steam to circulate fully.

• For extra flavor, brown the frozen chicken in oil before pressure cooking.

• Use natural pressure release. Letting pressure come down gradually helps meat retain moisture.

• Check internal temp with a meat thermometer before serving.

• Add more cooking time if needed to reach safe 165°F.

• Freeze any leftovers for quick future meals.

Easy Recipe Ideas
Pressure cooked frozen chicken breasts make endlessly versatile meal additions. Shred the chicken and use in soups, chilis, tacos, casseroles and more. Slice or cube the chicken for easy entrées like:

• Chicken Alfredo – Toss with pasta, Parmesan and creamy sauce.

• Chicken Caesar salad – Dice chicken and mix with romaine, Caesar dressing, croutons and Parmesan.

• Chicken sandwiches: Cut up chicken and put it on buns. Add bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce on top.

• Chicken parmesan – Top breaded chicken cutlets with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.

• Chicken stir fry – Mix diced chicken with sautéed veggies and teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce.

Compare to Other Cooking Methods
Pressure cooking has distinct advantages for cooking frozen chicken breasts versus other common methods:

• Oven baking: Takes 45 min to over 1 hour at 350°F. Pressure cooking is much faster.

• Boiling: Can take 30-60 min to simmer frozen chicken in water or broth. Pressure cookers use less liquid and in far less time.

• Slow cooker: May take 2-4 hours on low for frozen chicken. Pressure cooking has dinner ready in under 30 min.

• Microwaving: Often leaves chicken with dry, stringy texture. Pressure cooking ensures moist, tender meat.

While you can use any of these methods to cook from frozen, pressure cooking produces the best results in the shortest time.

Get Your Pressure Cooker Ready
Cooking frozen chicken breasts in a pressure cooker is one of the easiest, fastest and tastiest ways to put a healthy meal on the table. With the proper cook times and a flavorful cooking liquid, you can enjoy succulent, fully-cooked chicken on a busy weeknight. Give this method a try and you may never go back!