How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

5 from 1 vote

How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

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.

Course Entrees

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose

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, or chicken cut of choice
1 cup water or broth, juice
seasonings of choice

US Customary - Metric

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

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

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.

⏲️ Cook Time-Table

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

Nutrition