Cooking frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is just about the easiest way to get dinner on the table! This method results in super flavorful, juicy, and tender chicken breasts that you don’t even have to thaw. Perfect for quickly cooking chicken for another recipe, too. Check out my recipe for Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs, too!
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Why This Recipe Is So Good
- An Instant Pot makes cooking perfectly tender and seasoned chicken breast ridiculously easy. Just season your chicken, pour in some broth and cook.
- We love that this recipe uses frozen chicken breasts — no thawing needed! There’s almost no prep when it comes to cooking your chicken breasts in an Instant Pot.
- This method is perfect for cooking chicken for dinner, but also for recipes that require cooked chicken. We love it for meal prep, too!
How To Make Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides with all-purpose seasoning or salt and pepper.
- Place the trivet in Instant Pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Place the chicken breasts on the trivet, then close the lid. Turn the vent to sealed.
- Cook on Manual High Pressure for 10-15 minutes. After the time is up, let naturally release 5 minutes then Quick Release remaining pressure.
- Serve as is or use in a recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
Top Tips For Making
- For 6-8 ounce breasts, about 10 minutes should make the chicken nice and tender. 11 minutes will make the chicken just a bit more firm. For a 9-10 ounce breast, cook for 13 minutes, and 15 minutes for 12 ounces.
- If using all-purpose seasoning, don’t use salt, otherwise, your chicken will be too salty.
More Easy Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Dal
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Italian Dressing Chicken
- Creamy Instant Pot Beef Pasta
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Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning or salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with seasoning or salt and pepper.
- Place trivet in Instant Pot. Pour in chicken broth. Place chicken breasts on trivet. Close lid and turn vent to sealed.
- Cook on Manual High Pressure for 10-15 minutes (see notes). After time is up, let naturally release 5 minutes then Quick Release remaining pressure.
- Serve or use in a recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
Video
Notes
- Cook Times
- 6-8 ounce chicken breasts: Cook for 9-10 minutes.
- 9-10 ounce chicken breasts: Cook for 12 minutes.
- 12-ounce chicken breast: Cook for 14 minutes.
Nutrition
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Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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Jason Parker says
Will Montreal chicken seasoning work?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Sure!
Sarah says
What if it isn’t cooked through?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
It depends on the ounces of your chicken breasts! The cooking times vary. 🙂
Cheryl Malik says
If the chicken is not cooked through after the allotted time, you can throw them on the stove in a skillet over medium heat for 2-4 minutes!
Carly Schneidenbach says
I was gifted an instapot and was looking for a basic chicken recipe. This is great! Thanks!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Let us know how it goes!
Angie says
Is the weight above per breast or total? I have 2 breasts totaling 1 and 3/4 pounds
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Angie, the weight is for each breast. 🙂
alex says
What size of instant pot did you use? Do you think the cook time and amount of liquid would remain the same for any size instant pot?
Amelia Camurati says
Absolutely! As long as your chicken can ideally sit side by side for even cooking, any size should work! Mine is a six-quart Instant Pot!
Norma says
This is from the Instant Pot website:
There are only two things you need to remember to use any recipe you want in any Instant Pot.
1-Adjust quantities of each ingredient
•Use half as much ingredients for a 3 Quart
•Use at least 2 cups of water-based liquid for an 8 Quart
2-Keep cooking time the same.
I used an 8qt and came out perfect.
Haleigh says
Question- so do we just season the frozen chicken breasts and it’ll be flavorful and completely cooked in 14 min? New cook here and thinking about using my instapot for the first time tonight lol thanks in advance
Amelia Camurati says
That’s right! I do the seasoning on the frozen chicken and try to pat it on a bit before transferring to the Instant Pot. Always make sure your chicken reaches 165 degrees F to be sure its safe.
Lee says
This looks so good! I’m new to IP. I love breasts and my husband loves a leg/thigh combo. Can they be cooked together without one getting over/under cooked? What about bone in? Can you do that in the IP too?
Amelia Camurati says
You can definitely cook them together! Make sure they’re similar sizes, otherwise one will overcook or undercook. Bone-in also works but requires more time.
Ishi says
I tried this recipe exactly as it was written, but it only cooked the outside of the meat. The inside was still frozen. Any suggestions?
Amelia Camurati says
Likely a longer cook time! A lot of the chicken breasts today are MASSIVE and require a little longer cook time. If you can (before freezing), try to pound out the chicken breasts and make them more even for a better cook throughout.
Whitney Craig Dupper says
I am the world’s worst cook, what If I only have 2 chicken breasts
Cheryl Malik says
This recipe will be so easy for you, and if you only have 2 chicken breasts that’s fine. It will still cook for the same amount of time, just decrease the water a little!
Chris says
There were so good and easy!! Very moist. Thank you!
Cheryl Malik says
So glad you liked them!