The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, making it easy to prepare delicious meals in a fraction of the time. When it comes to cooking chicken in the Instant Pot, one of the most common questions is how much liquid to use. The amount of liquid is crucial as it generates steam to build pressure, allowing the chicken to cook quickly while retaining moisture.
In this comprehensive guide we will provide tips on the ideal amounts of liquid to use for different types of chicken how to incorporate flavor, troubleshoot any issues, and more. Follow these recommendations for tender, juicy, and flavorful Instant Pot chicken every time!
How the Instant Pot Works
Before determining liquid amounts, it’s important to understand how an Instant Pot works. The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that cooks food quickly by trapping steam inside a sealed pot to build pressure. This increase in pressure raises the boiling point of water, allowing food to cook faster.
Liquid is required to create this steam – without it the pot cannot pressurize. Typically, you’ll need at least 1 cup of liquid for a 6-quart Instant Pot. This liquid can be water broth, wine, juice, or any other cooking liquid. The liquid amount may need to be adjusted based on the amount and type of food being cooked.
Key Tips for Cooking Chicken
When it comes to cooking chicken in the Instant Pot, keep these tips in mind:
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Use at least 1 cup of liquid: This provides enough steam to properly pressurize the pot for chicken.
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Don’t submerge chicken: Chicken only needs to steam, not boil. Avoid too much liquid.
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Use flavorful liquids: Chicken broth, wine, etc. add extra flavor.
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Adjust time for frozen: Frozen chicken needs more time to cook through.
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Don’t overload the pot: Chicken pieces should lay flat in a single layer.
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Allow natural release: Lets moisture redistribute for tender chicken.
Liquid Amounts for Different Chicken Cuts
The amount of liquid needed can vary slightly depending on the specific cut of chicken:
Boneless Breasts
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Fresh: 1 cup liquid
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Frozen: 1 1⁄4 cups liquid
Since boneless breasts cook quickly, they require just enough liquid to build pressure. Frozen breasts need extra liquid to allow time to thaw.
Bone-In Breasts
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Fresh: 1 1⁄4 cups liquid
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Frozen: 1 1⁄2 cups liquid
The bones conduct heat slower than meat, so bone-in breasts need a bit more liquid than boneless.
Boneless Thighs
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Fresh: 1 cup liquid
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Frozen: 1 1⁄4 cups liquid
Thighs have more fat than breasts, keeping them moist. Use just enough liquid to pressure cook fresh thighs. Frozen thighs need slightly more.
Bone-In Thighs
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Fresh: 1 1⁄4 cups liquid
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Frozen: 1 1⁄2 cups liquid
Like bone-in breasts, bone-in thighs require extra liquid to account for slower cooking bones.
Incorporating Flavor
While water is sufficient for pressure cooking, using flavorful liquids can make chicken even tastier. Consider:
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Broths: Chicken, vegetable, or beef broth.
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Wine: White wine, red wine, marsala wine.
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Juices: Lemon, lime, orange, apple, pineapple.
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Sauces: Soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, barbecue sauce.
Mix and match to create the flavor profile you desire!
Troubleshooting Issues
If your Instant Pot chicken turns out dry or lacks flavor, it often relates back to the amount of liquid used. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
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Dry chicken: Use more liquid next time to steam and retain moisture.
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Bland chicken: Use flavorful liquids to infuse it with taste.
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Burn notice: There wasn’t enough liquid to properly pressurize the pot.
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Undercooked: For frozen chicken, use extra liquid and cooking time.
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Watery chicken: Avoid submerging chicken and use less liquid next time.
Cooking Frozen Chicken
Frozen chicken can be cooked in the Instant Pot but needs some adjustments:
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Use slightly more liquid: To account for frozen chicken not releasing any liquid initially.
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Increase cook time: Frozen chicken takes longer to cook through and come to pressure.
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Separate pieces: Make sure frozen chicken isn’t in a solid block. Individual pieces will cook more evenly.
With the right amount of extra liquid and cook time, frozen chicken can turn out just as juicy and delicious as fresh chicken!
Final Tips
Here are final tips for perfect Instant Pot chicken every time:
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Don’t overfill: Chicken should lay in a single layer with room for steam circulation.
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Use natural release: Allows juices to reabsorb for tender results.
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Check internal temp: Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
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Adjust cook time: Increase or decrease cook time based on chicken size and quantity.
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Experiment: Try different liquids, spices, and marinades for flavor.
Mastering the ideal amount of liquid is the key to delicious Instant Pot chicken meals. With this handy guide, you can achieve perfect results tailored to any type of chicken. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and enjoy the convenience of quick yet flavorful Instant Pot meals.
HOW TO COOK CHICKEN IN THE INSTANT POT
Does Cook Time Change if I Have a Smaller (3-Quart) or Larger (8-Quart) Instant Pot?
- No matter which size model Instant Pot you have, the number of minutes you select on the Instant Pot remains the same.
The capacity of each Instant Pot and the amount of time the differently sized pots take to come to pressure will vary, but you’ll always set it for the same number of minutes, regardless of its size.
If you have a different brand other than Instant Pot and are wondering how long to cook chicken in a pressure cooker, the times listed above should still be accurate for other electric pressure cooker models.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast–Tender, Juicy, and Perfectly Cooked
FAQ
How much liquid should I put in an Instant Pot?
Liquid is a required part of Pressure Cooking! Every Instant Pot has a minimum amount of liquid required for use. For example, 8-quart Instant Pots need 2 cups of liquid, and 6-quart Instant Pots need 1 ½ cups. Don’t forget to add liquid or your pot won’t come to pressure.Nov 28, 2023
How much liquid to put in an Instant Pot with meat?
Also, don’t forget to add at least 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water. You absolutely must add water so that the Instant Pot can create the steam it uses to pressure cook the meat. Tip: You can also use stock for some extra flavor.Nov 1, 2020
What is the liquid ratio for Instant Pot?
It’s important to note that Instant Pot® has changed its official recommendation from 2 cups of liquid for cooking all foods to just 1 cup. Those with older models and old issues of the brand’s manual and recipe booklet may be following outdated information.
How much chicken do you put in an Instant Pot?
For this recipe, you’ll need the chicken plus a few spices to season it and as always you’ll need water to put in the bottom of the pot. 2.5-5 pound whole chicken – Be mindful of the size of your Instant Pot when purchasing a chicken. Typically a 3-pound chicken will fill a 6-quart IP. For a larger chicken, you’ll need an 8+-quart Instant Pot.
How much liquid do you need to cook in an Instant Pot?
In the Instant Pot, at least 1 cup of liquid is required for the pot to produce steam and pressure cook. This is why almost every Instant Pot recipe calls for this amount of liquid. In the Instant Pot’s heated and pressurized environment, foods cook faster than they would otherwise.
Can you cook chicken in a 3 quart Instant Pot?
It comes in 3 quart, 5 quart, 6 quart or 8 quart. Same recipe, same cooking time and same water amount. Just make sure chicken breasts fit in a single layer. If your Instant Pot is small: If you want to cook large amount of chicken breasts in 3 quart pot, do so in a few batches. Piling up chicken in a few layers will result in undercooked chicken.
How long to pressure cook chicken in Instant Pot?
Pressure cook on Manual High pressure for 4 minutes for chicken breast (your Instant Pot may have a “Pressure Cook” button rather than a “Manual” button). It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure. At the end of cooking time, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
How do you cook chicken in an Instant Pot?
Place trivet inside the Instant Pot. Season chicken breast and place on the trivet in a single layer. Pour water or broth into the pot (directly over the chicken). Seal cooker and set to HIGH pressure for 8 minutes (10 minutes for bone-in, 12 minutes for frozen).
How do you cook chicken thighs in an Instant Pot?
Get my full Instant Pot chicken breast recipe. Place trivet inside the Instant Pot. Season chicken thighs and place on the trivet in a single layer. Pour water or broth into the pot (directly over the chicken). Seal cooker and set to HIGH pressure for 12 minutes (15 minutes for frozen).