Learn How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in Instant Pot in 30ish minutes. Perfectly tender and flavorful chicken ready to be used in a variety of dishes!

You can also cook frozen whole chicken in Instant Pot and make Instant Pot chicken breast and Instant Pot shredded chicken!

Cooked Instant Pot frozen chicken breast in pressure cooker liner.

Once you learn how to cook frozen chicken breasts in your Instant Pot with this easy step-by-step tutorial, it will change your weeknights! You will never be stuck wondering what is for dinner because you forgot to thaw chicken in the morning.

I hate to sound like a broken record but if you have been a regular reader on iFoodReal, you know I am obsessed with Instant Pot recipes. And this is one of my favorites!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • No thawing required: Yes that is correct, cook from frozen! You will never wonder at 5 o’clock what is for dinner because you forgot to thaw chicken in the morning!
  • Quick: Ready to use as is for dinner or in a recipe in less than 40 minutes.
  • 2 ingredients: Only the frozen chicken and water, so easy.
  • Juicy breasts: All the steam and moisture is locked in in the pressure cooker resulting in the most juicy chicken breast ever. If you follow the recipe of course, I promise!
  • Perfect for meal prep: Use all week in a variety of healthy dishes!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast

To make Instant Pot frozen chicken breast you will need just 2 simple ingredients and seasoning, if you wish.

Two frozen chicken breasts on a plate.
  • Frozen chicken breasts: Up to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  • Water: 1 cup cold water. You can use chicken broth, pineapple juice or apple cider but it will mostly flavor the broth not the meat.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in Instant Pot

Cooking frozen chicken breasts Instant Pot is one of the best features of the electric pressure cooker. It’s so easy, they’re moist and never overcooked.

Six frozen chicken breasts on a tray.

Separate frozen chicken breasts: I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure your frozen chicken breasts are separated. Just like pictured above.

If you add a blob of frozen breasts stuck together, they will not cook inside and overcook outside.

Adding a cup of water to pressure cooker with trivet.

Add cup of liquid and trivet: Make sure to place meat on a trivet, it just comes out better this way.

However, you can still cook frozen chicken breasts in Instant Pot without a rack. Meat will come out more boiled.

Four frozen chicken breasts in instant pot on a trivet.

Add frozen chicken breasts: You can fit as many chicken breasts as you can in a single layer. Do not double stack them. Usually it is 2-4 pounds depending on your Instant Pot’s size.

Close the lid, move pressure release valve to Sealing position.

Instant Pot display shows 18 minutes manual cooking time.

Pressure cook frozen breasts in Instant Pot: Cook the chicken for 15-18 minutes depending on thickness. Display will say ON, Instant Pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure, you will see a bit of steam coming out from a valve, then float valve will rise and countdown will begin.

Instant pot display says 5 minutes on keep warm function.

After wait 5 minutes then Quick Release: When done cooking Instant Pot will beep and display will say off. Wait 5 minutes, then release by turning valve to Venting.

Four cooked Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts on a trivet inside the pot.

Rest and serve: Your Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts are now ready! Remove the chicken onto a cutting board, let rest for a few minutes and slice or make Instant Pot shredded chicken to enjoy or use in other healthy chicken recipes.

Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips for perfectly moist chicken breast every time!

  • Instant Pot size matters: I have tested these cook times in 6 quart Instant Pot Lux and 8 quart Instant Pot Duo. I recommend to add 3 minutes cook time to 3 quart models because it comes to pressure faster.
  • Set time according to thickness not quantity: Whether you are cooking 1, 2, or 3 pounds of chicken breasts, time is determined by the size of your chicken breasts not the number you are cooking. With 99% of all Instant Pot recipes it is not about the amount of food but rather its thickness.
  • Don’t use the poultry button: This is a predetermined time setting which will not work for cooking frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
  • Patience: You must wait 5 minutes after the Instant Pot beeps Done, then Quick Release the pressure. This allows the chicken to rest for juicy results. But watch the time, you do not want to Natural Release as that results in overcooked chicken.
  • Steam during cooking: It is OK to see a bit of steam coming out from pressure valve in the beginning. It might have moved from Sealing position a bit. Move it slightly back with a long spoon.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in Instant Pot?

Chicken breasts can range in size quite a bit! The actual time needed to cook your frozen chicken breast will depend on how large the breast is before you cook it.

The easiest way to determine the cooking time is by measuring the thickest part of the breast. Here is a handy time chart for you to use:

Chicken breast thicknessPressure cooking time
Under 2.5″ thick15 minutes on High Pressure
Over 2.5″ thick18 minutes on High Pressure

Contrary to popular belief, cooking frozen meat in Instant Pot does not need longer cooking time. Electric pressure cooker just takes longer to come to pressure because inside inner pot temperature is lower.

Recipe Tip

If you have bone-in frozen chicken breasts, follow this recipe and just add 2-3 minutes to the pressure cooking time.

Seasoning Ideas

Seasoning frozen chicken breasts before cooking is optional. Seasonings do not stick to frozen meat that well though and will end up at the bottom of the pot, making a flavorful broth.

After you add chicken to Instant Pot, you can sprinkle it with 1-2 teaspoons of:

Recipe Tip

You can also marinate frozen chicken breasts before pressure cooking. You can use one of these chicken marinades or our favorite store-bought marinade is this Japanese BBQ sauce.

Ways to Use Cooked Chicken Breasts

Very often chicken breasts are used for meal prep and to be added to other chicken recipes. The uses for Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts are endless!

How to Store

This Instant Pot frozen chicken breast recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can buy quite a few pounds of chicken breasts and cook them in 2-3 batches while prepping other ingredients or just relaxing.

The key is to let chicken cool first, then shred or slice, and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

I would not worry about any seasonings, especially for a meal prep with this recipe. Simply because you will use meat in other dishes that have additional flavors.

More FAQs

Why are my Instant Pot chicken breasts rubbery?

There are 2 possible reasons. They are either overcooked, for example, your chicken breasts are smaller and should have been cooked for shorter amount of time. Or it’s the brand of chicken.

I buy organic chicken breasts in Costco and never had an issue with tough meat. I understand it’s not in everyone’s budget, then I recommend to buy fresh meat. I found previously frozen store-bought chicken breasts often come out tough.

To fix tough chicken, shred or cube it and place back in a cooking liquid. It will absorb the broth and rehydrate the meat within 5 minutes.

Can you overcook frozen chicken breast in Instant Pot?

Yes. Cooking any poultry on high heat (or high pressure) for a long period of time will break down the proteins/collagen making the meat more tender. And at same time “remove” more water out of the meat, making it more dry.

Why is my chicken undercooked?

Sometimes it happens. Instant Pot is basically a computer, so it’s not perfect. Altitude, pressure cooker size and type could be the factors. To fix it, close the lid and pressure cook for 2 more minutes.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Be sure to browse all of our Instant Pot chicken recipes!

Sliced chicken breast on a cutting board with Instant Pot in background.
instant pot frozen chicken breast recipe

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in Instant Pot

Learn how to cook frozen chicken breasts in Instant Pot in 30ish minutes. Perfectly tender and flavorful chicken ready to be used in a variety of dishes!
4.98 from 43 votes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 195
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Pressure Up & Down Time 20 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • To the Instant Pot, add cold water and trivet. Lay frozen chicken breasts in a single layer on top and make sure they are separated. Sprinkle with spices if using any. Toss to coat evenly with tongs or hands.
  • Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual for 15-18 minutes. I would say chicken breasts under 2.5" thick in the thickest part – 15 minutes. Over 2.5" – 18 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes your chicken is ready, Instant Pot will beep and display will say OFF. Wait 5 minutes, then do Quick Release by turning sealing valve to Venting position.
  • Open the lid and your chicken breasts are ready for meal prep, casseroles, salads etc. Shred or cube, and save the stock at the bottom for soup.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze in an airtight container or resealable freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in a fridge or on a counter.
  • Separate them: If you add a blob of frozen breasts stuck together, they will not cook inside and overcook outside.
  • How long to cook 1 lb, 2 lbs, or 3 lbs for? The same amount of time! With 99% of all Instant Pot recipes it is not about the amount of food but rather its thickness.
  • Seasonings are optional: Use what you like but seasonings will not stick to frozen meat well and will end up at the bottom of the pot, making a flavorful broth which then could be made into Instant Pot chicken stock or use in healthy soup recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 73mg
Course: Instant Pot
Cuisine: North American
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. 5 stars
    Thank you Olena for the frozen chicken breast recipe. I love baking and cooking for my wonderful husband Greg. We live on a farm in Kentucky and my husband works in our town of Bowling Green. My Instant Pot is wonderful, as you stated for meal preparation. Tonight is chicken and dumplings night. I wasn’t sure if it was safe to pressure cook chicken in my machine….so you answered my question. Thank you. Best wishes to you and yours! Andrea

  2. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe. I sprinkled some garlic powder, dill weed and oregano on two frozen breasts stuck together. After looking at the comments, I decided to put it on for about 19, since they were on the larger side. They came out very flavorful. I love this recipe because it eliminates the thawing process and the 40 minute plus time in the oven. *****

  3. 4 stars
    I only had a frozen bone-in breast, 2 1/2” thick, and I did 15 min, then 3 min, then 5 min, then 5 min, and 5 min more before my meat thermometer read 165 degrees. What do you suggest next time as I have two more of these suckers?

    1. I would do 20 mins. When you open and close IP, steam escapes so total cook time isn’t addition of all those times. 20 mins should do!

  4. 5 stars
    Great and simple recipe. 1 cup of water, 6 small frozen chicken breasts, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Manual setting for 15 minutes, and quick pressure release after 5 minutes. Used the water to make rice.

  5. 5 stars
    It was not even close to the proper temp coming out. I had to put it back in for 5 min–still not done. 5 more, still not done. Another 5, finally to temp. I realize I only let it sit for 2-3 minutes after the beep but that shouldn’t affect it so much it needs to cook another 15 minutes!
    I have an 8 at instantpot and will start with more time next time. No idea why it didn’t work for me, super disappointed because everything else got cold waiting for chicken.

    1. It could be the altitude. Also make sure breast are separated and do let pressure come down for 5 mins before venting. Increase cooking time by 5 mins only as more will result in rubbery meat. IP doesn’t work this way like stove if you recluse and add cook time then that’s your new cook time. Extra 15 mins is too much.

      1. 5 stars
        Altitude should not effect cooking times. The pressure is contained in the pot.
        Next time if you are pressed for time in getting your meal on the table, begin with thawed breast. Also you pre-heat your liquid and bring your pot up to pressure faster.

        1. 5 stars
          Altitude, or atmospheric pressure, will affect the initial pressure the pot starts out at. Altitude will definitely play a part, that being said, cooking times should get shorter instead of longer the higher the altitude.

4.98 from 43 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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