Pressure cooking chicken in an Instant Pot use steam and pressure to cook the chicken quick. The Instant Pot create intense heat within a sealed environment of the machine that penetrate the chicken. Additionally, the use of pressure allow the chicken to cook much more faster than if it were cooked in an oven or pan.
Using an Instant Pot allow for cook chicken that is frozen without defrosting the chicken first. Additionally, using an Instant Pot allow for cooking fresh chicken in less time then would be required using traditional cooking method. The amount of time that the chicken is cooked in the Instant Pot depend upon the cut of the chicken that will be cooked.
How to Cook Chicken in an Instant Pot
Chicken breast are leaner cut of chicken and will require shorter cooking time than chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are dark meat cut and can take longer to cook than chicken breast. Using a cooking time chart will allow the chef to properly determine the cooking time for each cut of chicken.
The chef must also chose the correct pressure release method according to each cut of chicken. If using the natural release method, the Instant Pot will naturaly cool for several minute after cooking. This method is used when cooking whole chickens or chicken pieces that contains bones.
Using the quick release method allow the steam to be manually released right after cooking is complete. This method is used to cook lean, small piece of chicken such as chicken wing and tenders. It is important to always include some liquid when cooking chicken in an Instant Pot.
At least one cup of liquid must be added to the machine to allow for the development of steam and pressure within an Instant Pot. If there is not enough liquid, the Instant POT may trigger a burn notice. The cook can season the chicken before being placed into the Instant Pot.
Seasonings that can be used include paprika, cumin, lemon, or rosemary. These seasonings will infuse into the chicken while it is cooking. The Instant Pot will not brown the skin of the chicken due to the use of steam to cook the chicken.
To achieve a crispy skin on the chicken, a broiler should of be used after the chicken is cooked in an Instant Pot. When cooking chicken that is frozen, there should be additional minute added to the cooking time. Additionally, the frozen chicken should not be stack on top of each other in the Instant Pot.
The pieces of chicken should have space to allow for even cooking. Do not overcrowd the Instant Pot. The chicken should not be added to the Instant Pot to more than two-thirds of the machines capacity.
If the chicken is overcrowded in the Instant Pot, it will steam in a pile and not cook even. When using an Instant Pot to cook chicken, there are some safety step that must be taken. The lid should never be force open.
Additionally, the chicken should be allowed to cool within the Instant Pot before the lid is opened. A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the chicken has cook to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken thighs, being dark meat, can be cooked to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, the chef should clean the sealing ring of the Instant POT after each use to remove any remaining flavoring from previous meals.