Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot in under 30 minutes. No thawing, no babysitting, just tender chicken ready to shred for salads, tacos, soups, and pasta.
🔍 Quick Look: How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
- 🕒 Ready In: 27 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Calories: ~259 per serving
- ⭐ Main Ingredients: chicken
- 📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free, gluten-free
- 👩🍳 Method: Instant Pot
- ⭐ Difficulty: Beginner
I can't remember the last time I stood there watching frozen chicken spin around in the microwave. I cook it straight from frozen in the Instant Pot now, and it comes out tender every time, even when I forget to thaw anything until 5 PM. The part I like most is how flexible it is. Plain salt and pepper, a splash of broth, garlic powder, whatever you have on hand. The pressure keeps it from drying out, so you don't even have to babysit it. Just juicy chicken without the effort.
Want more easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Rice Recipe, Instant Pot Dulce de Leche, and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No thawing required - From freezer to cooked in under 30 minutes, there's no microwave defrosting.
- Stays juicy - The pressure traps in moisture, so it doesn't dry out the way stovetop or microwave reheating does.
- Meal-prep friendly - Shred a big batch of chicken to use in salads, tacos, soups, and pasta all week.
🛒 Key Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: This recipe works with fresh or frozen chicken. You can also use other cuts of chicken; refer to the time table below for cooking.
- Liquid: I like to use water depending on the recipe I'm using the chicken in, but you can also use chicken broth, apple juice, or even pineapple juice to add a little extra flavor
- Seasonings: Use whatever seasonings you like. Salt and pepper are always a good choice, but Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder also work great.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍗 How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Pour your liquid of choice into the Instant Pot.
- Place the frozen chicken breasts, in a single layer, into the Instant Pot.
- Add your seasonings of choice.
- Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual on High for 10-12 minutes (larger breasts will need more time to cook.)
- Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding.
⏲️ Cooking Time-Table
Cook times change with the cut and size of the chicken. These are my starting points, all from frozen, cooked on high pressure with a 10-minute natural release.
| Chicken Cut | High Pressure |
|---|---|
| Boneless skinless breast | 10-12 minutes |
| Bone-in breast | 15-18 minutes |
| Boneless thighs | 12 minutes |
| Bone-in thighs | 15-18 minutes |
| Chicken tenderloins | 8-10 minutes |
🧂Serving Ideas
- Use it in Chicken Enchiladas, Baked Chicken Quesadillas, burritos, or tacos.
- Use in lettuce wraps.
- Add to a Caesar salad or a Greek salad.
- Toss with buffalo sauce and serve over a chopped salad with ranch dressing.
- Stir into Alfredo or marinara over pasta.
- Mix with Easy Fried Rice for an easy chicken stir-fry.
- Add to soups like chicken noodle or tortilla soup.
- Use as a pizza topping.
- Use it in Greek Chicken Gyros.
🌟 Expert Tips
- Don't skip the natural release. Letting the pressure come down on its own for at least 10 minutes is what keeps the chicken juicy.
- Shred it warm. It's much easier to shred when it's warm rather than cold. Use two forks, or a stand mixer can shred it in less than a minute.
- Cook in broth instead of water for more flavor, and add bay leaves, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon if you want.
- Save the cooking liquid. It's full of flavor and can be used in other recipes.
💭 FAQs
If the chicken's internal temperature is below 165°F (75°C), return it to the Instant Pot for an extra 2-3 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally again.
Yes. Unlike a slow cooker, which can leave frozen chicken too long in the 40-140°F danger zone, the Instant Pot comes up to pressure and temperature fast enough to cook frozen chicken safely. The rule that matters is the final temperature: cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F, and use a meat thermometer to confirm. The one thing to avoid is cooking a solid block of chicken where the pieces are frozen together, since the middle won't cook through evenly. Separate the pieces or keep them in a single layer.
Refrigerator: Store your cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Whether it's left whole or shredded, you'll have ready-to-go chicken for all your meal prep needs.
Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely before freezing. Store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. For easy use, freeze it in individual portions or shred it first, so you can grab just what you need.
📋 Recipe
How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts frozen, or chicken cut of choice
- 1 cup water or broth, juice
- seasonings of choice
Instructions
- Pour your liquid of choice into the Instant Pot.
- Place the frozen chicken breasts, in a single layer, into the Instant Pot.
- Add your seasonings of choice.
- Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual on High for 10-12 minutes (larger breasts will need more time to cook.)
- Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding.
Notes
- You can cook more chicken than the recipe calls for, just make sure it fits in a single layer at the bottom of the Instant Pot. The cooking time and liquid amount will still stay the same, but if you're cooking more than the Instant Pot can handle in one go, feel free to cook it in batches.
| Chicken Cut | High Pressure |
|---|---|
| Boneless skinless breast | 10-12 minutes |
| Bone-in breast | 15-18 minutes |
| Boneless thighs | 12 minutes |
| Bone-in thighs | 15-18 minutes |
| Chicken tenderloins | 8-10 minutes |
Ashley says
I love buying a big bag of frozen chicken! It comes in handy when I’m in a pinch, and cooking it from frozen in the Instant Pot is a game changer! I will never need to worry about thawing chicken again.