Instant Pot Chicken Breast

We’re thrilled to hear your rave reviews for our Zero-Minute Poaching Method for cooking Instant Pot Whole Chicken! Thank you~

Ever since we’ve published our Zero Minute Whole Chicken Recipe, many of you have reached out to ask if the same method works for cooking chicken breast in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

So, our goal with this zero-minute chicken breast experiment is to create a very versatile Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe that yields juicy & tender chicken breast for you to slice, shred, or dice.

By the way, this Zero-Minute Chicken Breast beats all our previous 18+ chicken breasts experiments. Should we call this Chicken Breast #17? 😉

Cooking Tips for Instant Pot Chicken Breast

4 cups (1L) of Water is not a typo!

For this boneless chicken breast recipe, we’re using the deep poaching method to cook the chicken breast in Instant Pot. So it’s critical to ensure all your chicken breasts are at least 95% submerged in the salted water.

What is the Deep Poaching Method?

The Deep Poaching Method involves cooking food submerged in liquid at a relatively low temperature.

This method allows the proteins to denature without pulling too much moisture out of the food. That’s why poached food comes out so juicy and tender!

Therefore, poaching is most commonly used for cooking delicate or fragile food that might easily fall apart or dry out using other cooking methods, such as eggs, fish, or poultry.

Pressure Cook at High Pressure 0 Minute

Yes! You can “pressure cook” at 0 (zero) minute! 

We’re setting the pressure cooking time to 0 (zero) minute because we’re using the heat generated during the “up to pressure” AND “depressurizing” (i.e. when Instant Pot is natural releasing) stages to cook the chicken breast.

Every time, make sure you measure the chicken’s internal temperature with an accurate Food Thermometer, and the thickest part needs to reach at least 165°F (74°C) after resting.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts?

We did a separate experiment with frozen chicken breasts, and they’ll require different cooking times. You can follow the step-by-step instructions here.

Let’s make this Zero-Minute Chicken Breast in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Chicken Breast

Here are the ingredients for cooking Chicken Breast in Instant Pot:

Tools for Instant Pot Chicken Breast

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Food Thermometer
• Mixing Bowl
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Tongs

Add Spice & Salt

First, add 5 tsp (35g) fine sea salt, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp (1g) dried thyme, 1 tsp (0.9g) dried rosemary, and 1 tsp (0.8g) dried oregano to Instant Pot.

*Note: Don’t worry! This amount of salt won’t make the chicken breast too salty.

*Pro Tip: You can skip the salt & spices if you’re planning to add seasonings, dressings, or sauces to your chicken breast for salads, sandwiches, wraps, or other chicken recipes.

Then, pour in 4 cups (1L) cold running tap water in Instant Pot.

*Pro Tip: 4 cups (1L) of water is not a typo! We’re deep poaching the chicken breast in Instant Pot. It’s crucial to ensure all your chicken breasts are at least 95% submerged in the salted water.

Pressure Cook Chicken Breast

Now, add 1 – 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in Instant Pot.

Then, close the lid and turn the Venting Knob to the Sealing position.

Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 0 minute (zero minute), then Natural Release for 9 to 12 minutes.

• For 1 Chicken Breast: Natural Release for 12 minutes
• For 2 Chicken Breasts: Natural Release for 11 minutes
• For 4 Chicken Breasts: Natural Release for 9 minutes

*Note: 0 minute (zero minute) is not a typo! We’re using the heat from the “Pressurize” Stage + “Depressurize” Stage to cook the chicken breast in Instant Pot.

After 9 to 12 minutes, carefully release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to the Venting position.

Finally, remove the lid carefully.

Check Chicken Breasts’ Internal Temperature

First, place the chicken breast on a chopping board.

Then, we’re going to check the chicken’s internal temperature at its’ thickest part with an accurate food thermometer.

*Note: The USDA recommends 165°F (74°C) as the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken.

*Pro Tip: If the chicken’s temperature is off by more than 10°F, quickly place the chicken breasts back in the Instant Pot. Close the lid, then let the residual heat in the Instant Pot cook the chicken breasts for 1 to 2 more minutes.

For reference, our single chicken breast experiment (below photo) first recorded an internal temperature of 157°F (69°C). After resting for 3 minutes, the internal temperature jumped to 165°F (74°C).

With our double chicken breasts experiment (below photo), the chicken breasts first recorded an internal temperature of 156°F (69°C). After resting for 3 minutes, the internal temperature jumped to 165°F (74°C).

Serve Chicken Breast

Finally, when the chicken breasts have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), you can slice and serve immediately.

You can also dress it up with your favorite dressings, sauces, or seasonings, then serve this instapot chicken breasts in salads, or make shredded chicken for chicken sandwiches, wraps…and more!

Enjoy your Juicy & Tender Zero-Minute Chicken Breast!~ 🙂

Other Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup