Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken breasts with minimal effort. Perfectly seasoned and pressure-cooked to lock in moisture, it’s a quick and easy meal ideal for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps with searing. Set them aside.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over the exterior of the chicken breasts for an even flavor coating.
- Sear the chicken: Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the chicken breasts. Sear each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side, then remove the chicken and set aside.
- Add broth and place the chicken: Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot to deglaze the bottom, scraping any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Place the metal trivet inside the pot and put the seared chicken breasts on top of the trivet.
- Pressure cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Select the high pressure setting and cook for 5 minutes. After the cook cycle, allow a natural release for 10 minutes to let the pressure come down gently, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Rest and serve: Open the lid carefully, remove the chicken breasts, and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender.
Notes
- Cooking times vary by weight: 1 lb – 4 minutes; 2 lb – 5 minutes; 3 lb – 6 minutes; 4 lb – 8 minutes; 5 lb – 10 minutes.
- To store: Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
- To freeze: Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months. Shredded chicken can also be frozen.
- To reheat: Warm the chicken in the microwave or oven until heated through.
- Recipe variations: Add herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor; add red pepper flakes or cayenne for spiciness; marinate beforehand or coat with sugar-free BBQ sauce for a different taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
