The Instant Pot is perfect for cooking chicken! This post includes 20+ recipes for Instant Pot chicken – everything from breasts and thighs to frozen chicken and whole chicken.

The Best Chicken Recipes for the Instant Pot

We’ve had our Instant Pot for years now and love it. You can tell by the number of healthy Instant Pot chicken recipes in our recipe archives that chicken is one of our favorites to make in the pressure cooker. It’s perfect for so many things:

  • Chicken soups
  • Shredded chicken
  • Easy salsa chicken
  • Chicken curry
  • Cooking frozen chicken
  • Making a whole chicken

New to the Instant Pot? Read our honest review of the Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

Scrolling through this list, you’ll find chicken recipes for any kind of dietary need. These recipes have you covered with options for:

  • Paleo
  • Whole30
  • Keto
  • Gluten free
  • Dairy free

Note: Not all recipes below fit every dietary preference. Review the individual recipe ingredients to verify dietary compliance.

Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes

One of the easiest things to make in the Instant Pot is chicken breast. The flavor options are endless and you can cook a whole breast, do shredded chicken, make a soup or cut up the chicken to mix with veggies and sauce.

1
Bowl of shredded instant pot buffalo chicken with sauce pouring in from a spoon

Insanely Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

4.78 from 22 ratings
The easiest shredded buffalo chicken in the Instant Pot! Packed with bold flavors, easy to make and always the hit of the party. Less than 10 minutes of hands on time for this insanely easy recipe!
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2
Thai coconut curry in a bowl with red peppers and rice

Thai Coconut Curry Chicken – Shuangy’s Kitchen Sink

This Crockpot Thai Coconut Curry is Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free and dairy-free. It’s an easy delicious dinner recipe for the whole family.
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3
Chunks of orange chicken in a bowl with orange wedges

Healthy Instant Pot Orange Chicken

4.91 from 11 ratings
Sweet and sticky healthy orange chicken with either breasts or thighs in the Instant Pot! A sugar free and guilt free takeout remake.
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4
Chicken lime soup with avocado chunks

Chicken, Avocado, and Lime Soup – The Defined Dish

If you are doing a Whole30, this Crockpot Chicken, Avocado, and Lime Soup is one of those soup recipes that will actually satisfy you for lunch or dinner.
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5
General tso's chicken with red peppers, shredded carrot and rice

Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken – Wholesomelicious

This simple General Tso’s Chicken is bursting with a sweet and slightly spicy flavor! Only a few ingredients, and made in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!
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6
Cooked herb chicken breast on a plate with knife

How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Instant Pot – Wholesome Recipe Box

Cooking chicken breast in the instant pot is quick, easy and so hands-off! It’s perfect for meal prep or if you quickly need shredded chicken for a recipe.
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Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes

This is my personal favorite cut of chicken to cook in the Instant Pot. It has a little fat on it so it just seems juicer and more flavorful than chicken breast. From bone in, skin on thighs to boneless skinless, you’ll find a new way to enjoy this delicious cut of chicken below.

7

Chicken Carnitas (Juicy & Crispy!) – Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

4.87 from 145 ratings
Whether you're meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this juicy chicken carnitas recipe is a great option. Only 10 minutes of active prep and then set your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker and walk away. This healthy chicken recipe is a quick and easy go-to for any day of the week!
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8
Bowl of instant pot butter chicken with spoon coming out

Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Paleo + Whole30)

4.74 from 23 ratings
This Paleo + Whole30 Instant Pot butter chicken is easy to make, full of rich flavors and versatile. It’s a belly and soul-satisfying butter chicken recipe!
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9
Thai chicken zoodle soup with orange sauce and lime

Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodle Soup – The Movement Menu

This Thai chicken zucchini noodle soup is an easy and fast Instant Pot recipe that’ll be loved by the whole family. It is gluten free, dairy free and YUMMY!
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10
Bone in honey mustard chicken thighs un a sauce with chopped parsley

Honey Mustard Chicken in the Instant Pot – Paleo Running Momma

This paleo honey mustard chicken comes together in just 30 minutes in the Instant Pot! Skin-on chicken thighs are perfectly cooked in a sauce that’s packed with tons of sweet tangy flavor. There’s even a Whole30 friendly option using dates instead of honey to sweeten the sauce!
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11

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)

4.68 from 95 ratings
This Paleo, Whole30 + Keto Instant Pot white chicken chili is an easy recipe that’s a perfect weeknight dinner. Only 10 minutes of prep for a healthy meal!
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12

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe (Paleo, GF + Refined Sugar-Free)

4.77 from 86 ratings
This Instant Pot honey garlic chicken is a great make-ahead meal prep recipe! It’s quick, easy and also Paleo, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free and Refined Sugar-Free.
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13
Instant pot full of cooked chicken thighs, carrots and green beans

Instant Pot Balsamic Chicken – The Healthy Consultant

Instant Pot Balsamic Chicken – EASY, healthy, and no fuss dinner. A one-pot meal that’s covered in a sweet honey balsamic sauce. Paleo and Whole30 too!
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Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Recipes

One of the best things about the Instant Pot is the ability to throw a completely frozen piece of chicken in and have it cook perfectly in a relatively short time. These recipes are perfect for those days you are looking for a quick dinner at 6pm and only have frozen chicken breasts or thighs available.

14
Sliced cooked chicken breasts lined up on a white plate

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Ever wonder How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot? This recipe shares all you need to know to have dinner on the table in an instant!
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15
Skin on chicken thighs with sauce over rice in a bowl

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen) – Momsdish

These Chicken Thighs are ready in minutes. They’re so juicy, full of flavor, and they are very easy to make!
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16
Skin on chicken thighs on a white plate with rice and gravy

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs – Little Sunny Kitchen

Flavorful Instant Pot chicken thighs made so easy! Learn how to cook chicken thighs from fresh, frozen, bone-in, boneless, skin-on or skinless
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17
Whole cooked chicken on a board with rosemary sprigs

Instant Pot Whole Chicken (Fresh or Frozen) – Sweet and Savory Meals

Instant Pot Whole Chicken is juicy, tender and incredibly easy to make. You can make this time saving recipe with fresh or frozen chicken.
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Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipes

If cooking a whole chicken is something you love, the Instant Pot makes it really easy. You’ll get a juicy whole chicken that’s fall off the bone tender when you cook it in the pressure cooker. Use a whole chicken for meal prep, for soups or just a large family dinner.

18
Whole browned cooked chicken on a plate with lemons and herbs

Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken – Damn Delicious

Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken – 28 min whole rotisserie chicken? Yes! The chicken comes out perfectly tender, juicy + packed with flavor. And it’s SO EASY!
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19
Whole lemon herb cooked chicken on a white plate

Instant Pot Garlic Herb Rotisserie Chicken – The Roasted Root

Instant Pot Garlic Herb Rotisserie Chicken is a perfectly moist and tender whole body chicken recipe made in a pressure cooker, requiring just 1 hour.
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20
Shredded chicken soup in a green bowl with carrots and green onions

Instant Pot Chicken Soup – What Great Grandma Ate

Make the most nourishing Instant Pot Chicken Soup using vegetables and a whole chicken! It makes bone broth in the process and becomes SO nutritious.
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21
Instant Pot Whole Chicken & Veggies - Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Whole Chicken & Veggies – Eating Instantly

This is the easiest Instant Pot Whole Chicken you’ll ever make! The spice rub is just like rotisserie chicken and you can cook the vegetables at the same time.
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22
Whole browned cooked chicken on a black palate with parsley and lemon

Instant Pot Whole Tandoori Chicken – Spice Cravings

Tender, juicy & packed with flavor, here’s a fail-proof Instant Pot recipe for Whole Tandoori Chicken, a classic Indian style Roasted Chicken. Enjoy this low-carb, keto & gluten-free recipe.
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Image collage with cooked chicken thighs at top, shredded chicken bottom left and whole chicken and veggies bottom right.

4.75 from 8 ratings
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20+ Instant Pot Chicken Recipes: Chicken Tinga

An easy shredded chicken recipe you can make with breasts or thighs in your instant pot. Roundup includes 20+ Instant Pot chicken recipes – from breasts and thighs to frozen chicken and whole chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 can fire roasted tomatoes, (14.5 oz can)
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke

For topping/serving:

  • romaine lettuce , (or sub Siete Tortillas, corn tortillas or other sturdy lettuce) Lettuce only for Whole30
  • cilantro
  • avocado

Equipment

Instructions
 

For the Instant Pot:

  • Pour the can of tomatoes in the instant pot first. Place the chicken in and toss the onions and garlic on top. Sprinkle the seasonings over everything and add in the liquid smoke.
  • Secure the lid on the instant pot and close the pressure valve. Press the “manual” button (or “pressure cook” button) and set the time to cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Once the time is up, quick release the pressure.
  • Remove the lid and shred the chicken with two forks. If you wish for serving, you can strain out any excess liquid and either keep or discard it. 
  • Serve chicken in bowls over greens, in lettuce wedges or in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

For the slow cooker:

  • Follow step #1 above, placing all of the items in the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks once cooked and serve as noted above.

Last Step:

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Notes

Nutrition facts are an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet and do not include topping/serving items for this recipe.  See our full nutrition information disclosure here
Calories: 313kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Fiber: 1g
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