How long to Cook Chicken in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking by providing a quick and time-saving method to cook delicious meals. For many cooks at home worried about cooking times, particularly for proteins like chicken, is an issue. Fear not, fellow Instant Pot enthusiasts! This comprehensive guide will arm you with the necessary knowledge and methods on how to cook chicken in an instant pot in a perfect way in a single time.

Understanding Cook Times: Factors at Play

Before we dive into specific timings, let’s look at the factors that affect the length of time chicken is cooked within your Instant Pot:

cut of the chicken The different cuts of the chicken come in different thicknesses and cooking times. The breast meat cooks quicker than drumsticks, thighs or thighs. Bone-in meat requires slightly longer cooking times than boneless meat.
Beginning temperature: Frozen chicken will take longer to cook than frozen chicken that has been thawed. Freshly cut chicken cooks a little faster than pre-packaged, cut-to-order chicken.
Quantity of Liquid: The amount of liquid in your recipe may alter the cooking process. A higher volume of liquid could result in slightly longer cooking times since the cooker is slower to reach pressure.
Desired Doness: Are you looking to make your chicken to be juicy and a little pink in the middle or fully cooked? The degree of doneness you want will affect the cooking time.

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Attention: The times mentioned in this article are for cooking at high pressure. Instant Pot has a LOW-pressure setting. Instant Pot also has a LOW-pressure setting, which will usually require slightly longer cooking time.

A Cook Chicken in Instant Pot Cheat Sheet

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Let’s get down to the specifics! Here’s a great cheat sheet to help you navigate the way through Instant Pot chicken adventures:

Chicken Breast

Fresh skinless, boneless (4-6 Oz every): 4-6 minutes (add 1 to 2 minutes for larger breasts)
Frozen, Boneless, Skinless (4-6 oz each): 8-10 minutes
Fresh Bone-In and Skinless (6-8 Oz per): 8-10 minutes (add 5 minutes to allow naturally released pressure)
Bone-In, Frozen and Skinless (6-8 Oz every): 12-15 minutes (add 5 minutes to allow naturally released pressure)

Chicken Thighs

Fresh, Boneless, Skinless (4-6 oz each): 6-8 minutes
Frozen, Boneless, Skinless (4-6 oz each): 10-12 minutes
Fresh Bone-In, Skinless (8-10 Oz every): 10-12 minutes (add 5 minutes to allow the natural release of pressure)
Bone-In, frozen Skinless (8-10 Oz per): 15-18 minutes (add 5 minutes to allow naturally released pressure)

Whole Chicken

Fresh 3-4 pounds: 20-25 minutes (add 1 minute for each pound for more large birds) plus 10 mins of natural pressure release
Frozen, 3-4lbs: 30-35 minutes (add 1 minute per pound to accommodate bigger birds) and 10 minutes of natural pressure release

Additional Tips

Natural Release or. Quick Release Natural pressure release permits the pressure to gradually release for 5 to 10 minutes. A quick release requires manually releasing pressure by using the valve to release pressure. Natural release can produce slightly juicier chicken.
Liquid Adding: The majority of instant Pot chicken recipes require the minimum of half cup liquid (water broth, water or a mixture) to make steam to cook the chicken in the pressure cooker.
Internal Temperature To get the most precise indicator of the degree of the degree of doneness, utilize an oven thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat when it has reached the internal temperature 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74degC).

Beyond the Basics: Cooking Techniques for Different Chicken Dishes

Now that you’ve got the basics of cooking you’ve mastered Let’s go over some methods for certain chicken dishes:

Shredded chicken: Choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts, thighs or legs. Cook as per the cheat sheet. Then shred the chicken using forks following a quick release or the natural release of pressure.
Poached Chicken The result is an extremely succulent and moist chicken. Make use of whole chickens or breasts of chicken cooked in accordance with the cheat sheets, adding less fluid (around 1-cup) and then do the natural release of pressure.
The Chicken Broth: Use a whole chicken or leftover bones. Cover the chicken in water, then add spices like carrots, onions, celery (optional) as well as

Frequently Asked Questions about to Cook Chicken in Instant Pot

1.How long does it take to cook chicken breast in an Instant Pot (chart)?

Here’s a quick guideline to cook chicken breasts inside your Instant Pot (assuming you are cooking at high pressure):
Chicken Breast Type Fresh (Minutes) Frozen (Minutes) Skinless, Boneless (4-6 oz) 4-6 8-10
Bone-In and Skinless (6-8 oz) 8-10 12- 15

2. Can you cook chicken too long in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Although the Instant Pot can be an absolute lifesaver when it comes to quick cooking but overcooking chicken could cause dry and sticky texture. Follow the suggested cooking times for the desired cut and thickness of the chicken.

3. How much time does chicken take to cook in a pressure cooker (including Instant Pot)?

The time to cook chicken cooked in the pressure cooker (including the Instant Pot) is dependent on the thickness, cut and the temperature at which it was first cooked (fresh or frozen) and the desired degree of degree of doneness. This guide is a great beginning point however it is always recommended to refer to your particular recipe to make adjustments.

4. How do you know when chicken is cooked in an Instant Pot?

There are two primary ways to tell whether your chicken has been cooked to perfection within your Instant Pot:
Internal Temperature It is the most precise method to employ an internal temperature thermometer for meat. Chicken is safe for consumption once it has reached temperatures of 160degF (74degC).
Visual cues: A fully cooked chicken will have juices that flow clear when it is pierced by the fork. But this method is not as reliable as the use of a thermometer.

Also Read: Conquering The Roast: How Long To Cook 2 lb Roast in Instant Pot