Set and forget Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a savory one pot chicken stew just like my Ukrainian grandma used to make! Break out your pressure cooker and make this mouthwatering dish tonight.

This stew along with Instant Pot chicken stew and Instant Pot chicken and rice is in our regular dinner rotation. Makes meal time easy!

Instant pot chicken and potatoes on a plate with a spoon.

I made this Instant Pot chicken and potatoes on Sunday night after we got back from a weekend away at kids’ hockey tournament. This thick stew is a version of my Ukrainian grandma’s chicken stew and is a dinner lifesaver, just like Instant Pot potato soup and Instant Pot baked potatoes recipe.

While chicken and potatoes were cooking in an Instant Pot, I painted kids’ bathroom. Now tell me Instant Pot is not a miracle when it comes to one pot meals?!

Make Instant Pot meatloaf and mashed potatoes next, it’s another one pot wonder! Be sure to check out all my healthy Instant Pot recipes, aka weeknight dinner time savers!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • 5 stars: Instant Pot chicken and potatoes recipe has been reviewed over 100 times with amazing results! 
  • Balanced meal: Protein, carbs and vegetables all in one pot.
  • Fast: 10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cook time and ready in under 45 minutes including pressure build up time!
  • Hearty: Chicken infuses the vegetables with flavor and potatoes add a natural starch, making this thick stew a comforting cold weather dinner.
  • Healthy: Potatoes are high in potassium, B vitamins and vitamin C (hello immune support!) while carrots are high in vitamin A and chicken high in amino acids.

Ingredients You Will Need

  • Chicken: Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, chicken legs or even whole chicken will work. Frozen chicken too, yes!
  • Vegetables: Potatoes, onion, carrots.
  • Pantry seasonings: Dried rosemary or fresh rosemary, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
  • Fresh seasonings: Garlic and fresh dill.
Whole chicken, carrots, potatoes, onion, dill, garlic ingredients.

What Types of Chicken Can I Use?

Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks

Chicken thighs and potatoes would be delicious because dark meat is more juicy than the breast.

  • Cook time: Boneless skinless chicken thighs – 15 minutes to cook, bone-in chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks – 20 minutes.
  • Cut back on saturated fat: If you buy chicken thighs with skin on, I like to trim the fat and remove the skin from all or at least half of them. North American chicken thighs are pretty fatty.
  • Save the bones: Discard bones after or save for Instant Pot chicken broth to make Instant Pot chicken wild rice soup. The gift that keeps on giving.

Boneless Chicken Breast

  • Cook time: Boneless chicken breasts will keep moist under pressure and need 15 minutes to cook through.
  • Save money: You can go for more affordable bone in and skin on breast and cook for 20 minutes.
  • Do not chop but shred after: There is no need to cut raw chicken breasts into pieces. Shred cooked chicken while gently stirring with a spoon. It’s that tender and saves washing a cutting board.

Frozen Chicken

Instant Pot frozen chicken and potatoes is a reality. Cooking meat from frozen is one of Instant Pot’s best features.

  • Cook time: Same 15-20 minutes depending on type of meat cooking time. Instant Pot will take a bit longer to come to pressure thus cooking chicken longer.
  • Make sure to separate chicken pieces!!!: This is very important step!!! You can’t throw in a blob of frozen chicken breasts because they will never cook through in 20 minutes.

Whole Chicken

That’s what I used 2nd time – cut up whole chicken. It’s the cheapest cut of chicken.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

  • Prep: In Instant Pot, add chicken, potatoes, onion, carrots, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, pepper and water. Do not stir.

Why not to stir chicken and potatoes in Instant Pot? Most often I say don’t stir because we want to avoid the dreaded Burn message. In the case of this dinner, though, it is to allow the liquids on the bottom to circulate. Liquids circulating creates the steam that is needed to pressurize your dinner.

  • Cook for 15-20 minutes: Close the lid, turn pressure vent to Sealing position and press Pressure Cook on High pressure or Manual: boneless chicken – 15 minutes, bone-in chicken – 20 minutes.
  • Release pressure: After Instant Pot has finished cooking, release pressure using Quick Release method by turning valve to Venting position and open the lid.
  • Season with fresh stuff: Add garlic and fresh herbs. Stir gently.

At the same time you are adding your finishing touches, separate the chicken meat off the bone (or shred boneless chicken breasts). This helps divide the meat more evenly among the thick stew.

How to make chicken and potato stew in pressure cooker.

How to Cut Up Whole Chicken for Stew

  1. Trim fat on both sides of the cavity and remove the tail.
  2. Now it’s time to remove legs and wings.
  3. Cut a bit, pull leg (wing) until you hear a crack and bone is exposed.
  4. Then cut next to the bone.
  5. Pull the skin off with your hands on the breast side. Or leave it on.
  6. Trim skin with a knife on the back side. If you want.
  7. Cut to remove each breast along the center bone.
  8. That’s it. Use chicken pieces in this recipe and save some for another recipe. Or use all of them at once.
  9. Carcass is great for making soups!

In how to cut a whole chicken I have a step by step photo tutorial that is very helpful in learning the correct cutting method!

Optional Add-In’s and Variations

  • Fresh dill substitute: Any fresh herbs like Italian parsley (I don’t love curly parsley), green onion or even basil adds amazing layer of flavor. Don’t use dried dill weed, completely different taste.
  • Substitute rosemary with: Dried oregano, thyme or Italian seasoning substitute.
  • No fresh herbs? Still make this Instant Pot chicken and potatoes recipe. It will be good without them as well.
  • Creamy: Some readers have added heavy cream at the end after cooking for a delicious creamy chicken stew.
  • Fresh greens: Kale or spinach not only add nutritional value but a pop of color.
  • Splash of white wine: Reader tested and as the saying goes; I like to cook with wine, sometimes it ends up in the food. 🙂
  • Additional vegetables: Add frozen peas or cauliflower rice at the end of cooking time. Frozen green beans would be lovely too.
  • Finishers: In addition to dill and garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance flavors or hot sauce if you like a little heat.
  • Sweet potatoes: Pressure cook 8-10 minutes and be sure to use boneless chicken as your protein option.

Tips for Best Results

  • You don’t have to saute the onion or sear chicken: It’s not necessary when making chicken and potatoes in Instant Pot because food cooked under pressure comes out more flavorful. 
  • Add garlic after Instant Pot chicken potatoes is done: 5 cloves added before cooking are way less powerful than 1 clove added after. It makes all the difference in the world.
  • What are best potatoes to use? Russet potatoes will fall apart more – use if you like more chicken stew like dish. Yellow, red and especially baby potatoes will stay whole better.
  • If you really want your potatoes to stay whole as much as possible: Place chicken on a trivet and potatoes on top, so they are not sitting in liquid.
  • Liquids: You can add 1 cup water. You can also use chicken broth or Instant Pot chicken broth instead but I like to save money. Chicken cooked with water turns it into a broth.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, I go into detail above how to use frozen chicken but to recap, be sure your chicken pieces are not touching and cooking time will be the same, but your Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure.

Can I make this Instant Pot chicken and potatoes recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes. You can make chicken stew in slow cooker. It should take about 3-4 hours on high heat and 6-8 hours on low setting.

Can I make chicken stew on the stove?

Yes! Just follow the instructions for my stovetop version of chicken stew.

Is it safe to cook raw chicken with potatoes?

Sure is! As long as everything is cooked fully by the time you eat it, it is safe!

How can I speed up my Instant Pot coming to pressure?

Use boiling water (or warm broth/wine) to bring your pot to pressure faster.

Chicken and potatoes with dill on plate with spoon.

Serving Recommendations

Instant Pot chicken and potatoes really is a one pot meal, but if you are like me and have very hungry boys at your table (all those sports!) here are some additional healthy side dish options:

How to Store

Storing: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I do not recommend to freeze potatoes as they change colour and texture. It is my personal preference and I know some people do not mind. So, if you freeze other potato dishes, then you can freeze this Instant Pot chicken and potatoes as well.

Reheating: To reheat, add desired amount of chicken stew in a pot, cover and simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. A little more fresh dill would bring more freshness.

More Chicken and Potatoes Recipes

More Instant Pot Recipes to Try

Looking down at Instant Pot chicken and potatoes with gravy on plate.
instant pot chicken and potatoes

Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

Set and forget Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a savory one pot chicken stew just like my Ukrainian grandma used to make! Break out your pressure cooker and make this mouthwatering dish tonight.
4.91 from 161 votes
Servings 6 large servings
Calories 349
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Pressure Build Up Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In Instant Pot, add chicken, potatoes, onion, carrots, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, pepper and water. Do not stir.
  • Close the lid, turn pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual for 15 minutes for boneless chicken and 20 minutes for bone-in chicken pieces.
  • After Instant Pot has finished cooking, release pressure using Quick Release method by turning valve to Venting and open the lid.
  • Add garlic and fresh herbs. Stir gently. I like to separate meat off the bone at same time. It helps to divide meat more evenly among the family members.
  • Serve warm with our favourite addition of cucumber and tomato salad or a green smoothie recipe.

Video

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
  • Freeze: I do not recommend to freeze potatoes as they change colour and texture. It is my personal preference and I know some people do not mind. 
  • Kinds of chicken that works: Chicken thighs, chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, cut up whole chicken.
  • Using frozen chicken: Cook time will stay the same depending on type of meat you use. Instant Pot will take a bit longer to come to pressure thus cooking chicken longer. Make sure to separate chicken pieces!!! You can’t throw in a blob of frozen meat pieces because they will never cook through in 20 minutes.
  • Add garlic after Instant Pot chicken potatoes is done: 5 cloves added before cooking are way less powerful than 1 clove added after. It makes all the difference in the world.
  • What are best potatoes to use? Russet potatoes will fall apart more – use if you like more chicken stew like dish. Yellow, red and especially baby potatoes will stay whole better.
  • If you really want your potatoes to stay whole as much as possible: Place chicken on a trivet and potatoes on top so they are not sitting in liquid.
  • Liquids: You can add 1 cup water. You can also use chicken broth instead.
See recipe post for more tips and FAQs.

Nutrition

Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 663mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. Hi I am new at this way of cooking so I tried doing the chicken breast one and I got a burn message on the cooker, what caused that.

  2. 5 stars
    Hi Olena – Really loved this recipe. I’m new to pressure cooking (and admit that I have never enjoyed cooking at all) so I’m really new to this game. It’s amazing what happens in pandemics and lock-downs isn’t it! Anyway, tried this and in spite of making a minor but nail-biting mistake – I have a Breville instead of an Instant Pot – it was successful! Love your videos – keep up the good work.

  3. 5 stars
    Simple, very tasty, delicious!

    Added yam to the mix as I had too many, it literally disappeared (now I know) but left a yummy sweetness to the broth 🙂

    It’s a keeper!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe a few times already and it’s amazing!!! My husband loves it! My only modification is that I put 2 lbs of potatoes and 4 large carrots, as I don’t serve with a side salad so wanted extra veggies. We serve with homemade drop biscuits which complement the flavours of the stew very well. Thanks for this great recipe!!

  5. 5 stars
    Easy, healthy and delicious! I followed the recipe but had to halve it because I have a 3 Quart Instant Pot. So tasty! I’m glad I watched your video tips on Instant Pot use because of the suggestion to let the steam out outside rather than in the house. It’s very nice to cut back on all of the cooking smells in here and yet one more good reason to have an Instant Pot. Thanks Olena! If you come out with a cookbook, I will buy for sure.

  6. Hi Olena, Got my Instant Pot today and made the chicken and potatoes. We loved it. Not new to pressure cooking as I used the stove top variety years ago. Liking this electric one much better. However, upon cleaning the pot there are spots in the bottom that are not stuck on food but appear to be a flaw in the surface. They were not there when it was washed before using. Is that normal?

    1. Hi Alice. So happy to hear you loved the recipe. That’s not normal unless you can remove spots with baking soda or stainless steel cleaner like Barkeepers friend. Otherwise, I would contact Instant Pot. They are usually pretty good about replacements. Things are made in China and mainstream these days so things happen…Let me know what other recipes you try of mine.:)

    2. I had the same problem and someone suggested putting a dishwasher tablet in over night and pouring boiling water over it. Next morning, the pot was as good as new. Hope that helps.

  7. 5 stars
    I added some celery that I needed to use up and only had dried herbs to use, but is was quick, easy and delicious!

  8. 5 stars
    I love this recipe! Because I can’t eat potatoes, I used butternut squash instead. Thank you for the inspiration!

  9. 4 stars
    Made this recipe and it’s really good! Was nervous about just using water instead of using chicken stock, but it tastes great. My only issue was that one of the chicken breast came out a bit tough in the center. Not sure if it was too thick or what, but was a little overcooked. But would definitely make this again!

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