Quick and Easy Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts

The instant pot is the best way to cook frozen chicken breast. It turns out so juicy and delicious. If you forgot to thaw your chicken, then this Instant Pot frozen chicken breast recipe is perfect for you.

If you’ve been wondering, can you Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts? The answer is yes, and the chicken will turn out wonderfully. 

In a short amount of time, you’ll have a juicy chicken breast cooked to perfection. You can use it in any chicken breast recipe that calls for cooked chicken, like chicken salad. 

Cooking frozen chicken can be quick and easy. I’m kinda addicted to how easy it is. 

This is a great way to cook chicken for your next meal prep session or to add cooked chicken to the freezer. 

Sure you could cook your chicken in a slow cooker, but that takes all day. This instant pot method is so much faster. 

Our favorite way to season the frozen chicken breasts before cooking is with this homemade all purpose seasoning blend.

It pumps up the flavor of the chicken. When using fresh chicken breasts, it’s easy to get the seasoning to stick, but when the chicken breasts are frozen, it’s a little harder. I share my secret tip down below, keep on reading. 

Before we cook, let’s go over the tips first. 

Tips and Tricks for Cooking Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot

There are a few tips you’ll want to follow to make sure your chicken turns out great. 

Use Separate Chicken Breast

To make sure your chicken cooks evenly, you’ll want the chicken breasts to be separated. You don’t want an enormous chunk of chicken as it won’t cook well. But it is ok to stack the chicken breasts in the instant pot. 

Adding the Seasoning

Now you can just sprinkle the seasoning on the chicken breast but because they are frozen it won’t stick. But I have a trick that solves that problem.

You simply brush the chicken breast with water and, while it’s still damp, sprinkle the seasoning on. This will help the seasoning stick to the frozen chicken instead of falling off onto the plate.

It’s the perfect way to get the seasoning to stick to the frozen chicken. Be sure to share this quick tip with your friends. They’ll think you’re a genius. 

Our favorite seasoning is all purpose seasoning. This is our favorite recipe. But taco seasoning or Italian seasoning works great too. Or just go simple with a little salt and black pepper with garlic powder. Be sure to season your chicken before cooking so you’ll have flavorful chicken when done. 

Placing the Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot

I’ve seen some recipes for pressure cooking chicken where you put the chicken directly into the cup of liquid or chicken broth on the bottom of the pot in the electric pressure cooker. 

But I think the chicken is better when it’s cooked on the rack above the liquid. The seasoning sticks to the chicken and isn’t washed away by the liquid. It looks more like roasted chicken when done, instead of being super white and bland looking. 

To get the best quality of cooked chicken, place the rack in the bottom of the instant pot first, add your liquid, then place the seasoned chicken on top of the rack. This will ensure you get tender chicken breasts that aren’t watered down.  

How Long to Cook Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breasts

To make sure your chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees, you’ll want to adjust the cooking time for different sized chicken breasts.

If you have a large chicken breast, it will take longer to cook through than smaller ones. I have the different size of the chicken breasts and their times for cooking below.  

Here’s the cooking guide I use for cooking frozen chicken breasts.

If your chicken breasts are 6-8 ounces, pressure cook on high pressure for 9-10 minutes, then natural pressure release for 5 minutes.

If your chicken breasts are 9-10 ounces, pressure cook on high pressure for 12 minutes, then natural pressure release for 5 minutes.

If your chicken breasts are 12 ounces, pressure cook on high pressure for 14 minutes, then natural release for 5 minutes.

If you are cooking chicken tenders, pressure cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, then natural release for 5 minutes. 

What if my chicken isn’t cooked to 165 degrees?

After you release the pressure and open the pressure cooker, be sure to check for doneness. The best way to do this is with a meat thermometer. 

If your chicken breast isn’t at 165 degrees, you can place the lid back on the Instant Pot and cook on high for another couple of minutes to finish cooking the chicken to the right temperature. 

It will only take a little bit of time since the Instant Pot is already warmed up.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot (Video Tutorial)

I’ve made a quick video to show you how easy it is to pressure cook chicken breasts. But if watching a video isn’t for you, I get it. Scroll down for the written instructions and the printable recipe card. 

How to Pressure Cook: Frozen Chicken Breasts (Step by Step)

Prepare your Chicken

Separate the chicken breasts if they are stuck together. You want individual pieces of chicken, not one huge chunk as it won’t cook properly. 

Add Seasoning

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with seasoning, we love this homemade all purpose seasoning blend. To get the spices and herbs to stick, brush the frozen chicken with a little water, and while it’s still damp sprinkle with the seasoning. 

Tip: you don’t have to just use dry rubs, you can use sauces too, like barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, or even sweet chili sauce. Whatever you prefer. 

Loading the Pressure Cooker

Place 1 cup of water or broth or even pineapple juice or other juice in the bottom of the pot. Add the rack to keep the chicken out of the liquid.  

Start the Pressure Cooker

Place the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure it’s set to sealing. Set to pressure cook on high for the time needed depending on the size of the chicken breast. Look at the guide above. 

Once cooking time is done, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release. 

Check Chicken for Doneness

Using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. If your chicken breast is at 165 degrees, your chicken is cooked through. 

How to Store Your Cooked Chicken Breast

You’ll want to cool your cooked chicken. Cool it at room temperature and place it in the refrigerator within 2 hours. Store your cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days. 

If you need longer storage for your cooked chicken, place in a zipper freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and freeze. Don’t forget to label your freezer bags. 

What to serve with Instant Pot Chicken and Recipes to Use it In

What should you serve your Instant Pot chicken with?

Try this quick and easy Instant Pot mashed potatoes

for a traditional dinner. Or serve the tender chicken breast on top of rice or brown rice in a bowl with steamed vegetables. 

If you’ve seasoned your chicken breasts with taco seasoning, make chicken tacos, burritos, or even burrito bowls.

If you’ve seasoned your chicken breast with Italian seasoning. You could use the cooked chicken on top of a pizza, in place of breaded chicken in chicken parmesan. Or just dice it add to your homemade pasta sauce. 

 

You can make a quick meal with this technique and simple ingredients.

The best part is you can make a big batch of chicken breasts and then you can use them in many recipes throughout the week.

Making for quick dinners when time is short. 

More Delicious Chicken Recipes…

Cooked Chicken at the Ready

The Best Chicken Freezer Meals

World’s Best Chicken Easy Freezer Recipe

BBQ Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken

Here’s the printable recipe for you…