Description
A quick and easy Instant Pot chicken breast recipe that yields juicy and flavorful chicken every time. Seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and basic spices, then pressure cooked to perfection. Perfect for meal prep or a healthy dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Set aside to ensure even seasoning and better searing.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the exterior of each chicken breast, coating all sides.
- Sear the Chicken: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heat the olive oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until nicely browned. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Deglaze and Prepare for Pressure Cooking: Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot, scraping the bottom to lift any browned bits from searing. Place the trivet inside the pot.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts on the trivet, close the lid, and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes (adjust time based on weight: 1 lb – 4 min, 2 lb – 5 min, etc.). After the timer beeps, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain their juices and serve warm.
Notes
- Cooking times vary by chicken breast weight: 1 lb – 4 minutes, 2 lb – 5 minutes, 3 lb – 6 minutes, 4 lb – 8 minutes, 5 lb – 10 minutes.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- For freezing, wrap each chicken breast individually with food wrap and freeze up to 3 months, or shred before freezing.
- Reheat chicken in the microwave or oven until hot.
- Recipe variations include adding herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary; adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for spice; or marinating the chicken with a 4-ingredient marinade or sugar-free BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 4 oz)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
