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Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe

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This Instant Pot Chicken Breasts recipe offers a quick and easy way to prepare tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts using your pressure cooker. Whether fresh or frozen, the chicken cooks evenly with simple seasonings and your choice of liquid, making it perfect for meal prep or quick dinners. The recipe includes tips for perfectly cooked chicken and an effortless method for shredding the meat right in the pot.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)

Liquid

  • 1 cup liquid (water, chicken broth, apple juice, or pineapple juice)

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Place the inner pot into your Instant Pot and insert the trivet at the bottom to keep the chicken elevated above the liquid.
  2. Add liquid: Pour 1 cup of your chosen liquid (water, chicken broth, pineapple juice, or apple juice) into the Instant Pot. This liquid creates steam necessary for pressure cooking.
  3. Arrange chicken: Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the trivet. Evenly season with salt, pepper, or any preferred seasonings for enhanced flavor.
  4. Seal the pot: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the "Sealed" position to ensure pressure builds correctly.
  5. Pressure cook: Set the Instant Pot to high pressure. Cook fresh chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes or frozen breasts for 10-12 minutes, adjusting based on thickness. Note that cook time is constant regardless of quantity; only the time to reach pressure will vary.
  6. Release pressure: When the timer ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes to keep the chicken moist, then carefully turn the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining steam.
  7. Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. If slightly under, let the chicken rest with the lid on for 5 minutes or cook for 1-3 more minutes at high pressure for thorough cooking.
  8. Rest chicken: Allow the chicken to sit for 5 minutes before slicing or shredding, helping juices redistribute for tender meat.
  9. Optional shredding: For shredded chicken, remove the trivet and retain about 1/2 cup of liquid in the pot. Place the chicken back into the liquid and use a handheld mixer to shred it quickly and easily.

Notes

  • You can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts with this recipe without changing the cook time drastically.
  • Choose the liquid based on the flavor profile you want: chicken broth for savory, apple or pineapple juice for a subtle sweetness.
  • Natural pressure release helps retain moisture in the chicken, preventing dryness.
  • If shredding, keeping some cooking liquid makes shredding easier and adds moisture to the chicken.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety and optimal texture.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/instant-pot-chicken-breasts-recipe/