How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

5 from 1 vote

How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

Stop thawing your frozen chicken breasts in the microwave! With your trusty Instant Pot, you can cook the chicken straight from the freezer in less than 30 minutes. In no time, you'll have tender, juicy chicken ready to shred for using on pizza, salads, tacos—you name it!

Course Entrees

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Natural/Quick Release Time 12

Total Time 27

Servings servings

Calories 259kcal

Author Ashley Amundsen

Equipment

1 instant pot

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken breasts frozen
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 ensure the internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding.

Notes

*For simplicity's sake, the Nutrition Facts are based on the addition of water, salt, and pepper to the chicken.

Pro Tip: 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.

Storage Instructions:

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.

Reheat: Instant Pot: Use the Sauté function with a bit of liquid to reheat evenly. Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals with a splash of broth to keep it moist. Stovetop: Warm it up in a pan over medium-low heat with a little broth or butter.

Nutrition