If you’re wondering how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker here are the times you need! It is easy to do and a great way to make chicken sliders or shredded chicken meals for dinner. Tender chicken breasts become juicy in less than 15 minutes, you’ll see.
You can cook frozen thighs, legs, and wings in it too, so I recently addressed the vexing question of how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot today. We also provide instructions for cooking a frozen whole chicken. Enjoy more than 100 quick and simple Instant Pot recipes (originally published 1/18; affiliate links included).
Ingredients to Make Instant Pot Frozen Chicken
This chicken only requires four ingredients, all of which are probably already in your kitchen. For precise measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How do you defrost chicken in an Instant Pot?
Time needed: 12 minutes.
Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
To make shredded chicken for sliders or to serve over rice, season with salt and pepper, or even better, shred the chicken right in the pot and add sauce.
After preparing numerous simple Instant Pot chicken recipes, I can say that I prefer using this technique to cook frozen chicken in the appliance when adding sauce or shredding it rather than simply eating the breast as is.
Although it’s just me, I find that the texture is better if it’s first defrosted and then cooked.
Similar to cooking frozen chicken breasts, this part of the bird can be finished in under 20 minutes with NO meal preparation required!
It is so simple to just throw them in with some water and something like barbecue sauce!
I don’t make wings really any other way now. Simply place them under the broiler if you prefer them to have a slight crunch. 4 minutes or so is perfect.
Frozen chicken wings cooked in the Instant Pot come out absolutely delicious.
I prepared these Instant Pot chicken legs in this manner. When I prepared our pressure cooker beer can chicken, I also did this.
FAQ
How long do I cook frozen chicken breast in my Instant Pot?
- Small (6-8 ounce) frozen chicken breasts should be cooked for 11–12 minutes at high pressure and then naturally released for 10 minutes.
- Medium (9–10 ounce) frozen chicken breasts should be cooked for 13–14 minutes under high pressure and then naturally released for 10 minutes.
Can you cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot?
You can learn how to cook frozen chicken breast in an instant pot in just 12 minutes by using chicken that has already been frozen. Chicken breasts that have been cooked can be spiced and served, shredded, or used in a favorite recipe. Learn how to cook frozen chicken in your instant pot.
Does frozen chicken need more time in Instant Pot?
In the Instant Pot, cooking frozen chicken breast is very similar to cooking thawed or fresh chicken breast. But there are two things to keep in mind. The cooking time will need to be increased by 4 minutes. To cook evenly, chicken breasts that have been frozen together must first be separated.