Instant pot chicken is quite possibly one of the easiest and quickest meals to prepare. Furthermore, it’s surprisingly easy on the budget and if made correctly, super tasty as well.
Despite its ease of preparation, there may be some instances where the chicken is not completely done. Have you experienced this? Are you unsure of what could be causing it? Fortunately, we have the answers you need to avoid this issue altogether!
Chicken Not Done In Instant Pot
When you’re preparing what you hope will be a great-tasting meal, nothing can be quite as frustrating as the meal not being done when it should be, or at all.
Despite our best efforts, there are times when chicken cooked in the instant oot turns out to be undone. Let’s dive into the top reasons why this could be happening.
Much of what makes a perfect instant pot meal depends on the time at which it’s cooked. Even the slightest change in the recommended cooking time could affect the taste as well as whether or not it’s done.
While it’s true that cooking in an instant pot is the ideal time saver, the perfect chicken should never be cooked for less than 30 minutes.
Furthermore, the recommended cooking time also depends on the size of your instant pot. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended cooking times for various food types for the size of pot you’re using.
- Enough Water
Another reason that can cause your chicken to be undercooked may have to do with the amount of water in your instant pot. Keep in mind that adding water halfway through the cooking process will require you to add more time to your cooking schedule.
This is because the water needs to warm up again before the cooking process starts again. Be sure to check the amount of water required for each specific recipe and check whether it is indeed enough liquid for that specific meal.
It’s better to add extra water when you begin the cooking process, rather than adding it midway.
- Sauté Mode On
If you realize that your instant pot chicken is not entirely done or showing signs of being undercooked, you can easily fix this by using the sauté mode.
Return the whole mixture to the pot and run the sauté mode with a slow flame. Doing this should have your chicken ready in a matter of minutes.
- Thin Slices
As with most meat types, thick slices of chicken require more time for cooking. In fact, you might find that you have to adjust the cooking time on your recipe if you are using thick cuts of chicken.
If you don’t really have lots of time, you can cut the chicken into thinner slices, or smaller pieces. To save yourself the extra work, opt for thinner slices when you buy the chicken.
- Worn Rubber In Your Instant Pot
If you use your instant pot quite often, it’s possible that the appliance’s rubber may have become worn. If that is the case, you will have to replace it before you can cook your chicken.
Cooking your meal in a pot with a worn rubber will result in underdone chicken. Always ensure that the rubber is put in correctly before cooking.
- Covering Of The Instant Pot
One of the most common reasons for an undercooked chicken happens when the lid isn’t put on securely. Always ensure that your instant pot is working correctly and has the lid fixed on properly before starting the cooking process.
- Flipping Chicken
You might think that frequently flipping the chicken will ensure that it gets cooked on all sides. However, this isn’t always the case when it comes to chicken. Flipping the chicken too much will create areas that are not done at all.
Rather give each side an equal time to cook properly. Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, it may not be necessary to turn the chicken more than twice.
- Use of Proper Flame If you Pre Cook The Chicken Before Cooking it in Instant Pot
Whether or not you use a proper flame will also determine how done or undone your chicken is. Be sure to use the right amount of flame if you’re cooking on gas. Too little flame will slow down the cooking while too much will cook the outside of the chicken but not the inside.
Tips to Help You Know If Your Chicken is Properly Cooked
It’s very important to note that eating undercooked or raw chicken can be harmful to your health. If you have any doubt about the state of your chicken, use the following telltale signs to determine if your chicken is properly cooked.
- Meat Should Shrink
The easiest way to tell if the chicken is fully cooked is that it will be smaller than when you put it in the pot. When chicken still looks white on the outside and appears to be the same size, it’s a clear sign that it may not be properly cooked.
- The Color of the Juices
An easy trick that doesn’t really work well with other types of meat is to check the color of the juices inside the chicken. Cut into the chicken and if the juices still run slightly pink, you will have to cook your chicken for a little longer.
Start checking at 10 or 15-minute intervals. If the chicken wasn’t properly defrosted before you placed it in the pot, you will usually still get pink juices after the first 30 minutes. It may even be necessary to cook the chicken for an additional 30 minutes.
- Cut Into the Meat
You might want to serve your chicken whole, so cutting it up in the pot doesn’t appeal to you. If that’s the case, a simple small incision into the thickest part of the meat is a helpful alternative. Make a small incision and pull the sides apart.
Cut until you can see the color of the meat all the way through. If the meat has any pink coloring, it may need to be cooked a little longer. If you aren’t sure, cook it for another 10 to 15 minutes just to be certain. The meat should be white all the way through.
Risks of Consuming Undercooked or Raw Chicken
Eating raw or undercooked chicken can be very harmful to one’s health. Two of the top reasons to avoid eating undercooked chicken are listed below.
- Salmonella: This is a type of bacteria that lives in the gut of chickens. It can easily be passed to people who consume chicken that hasn’t been prepared properly.
- Food poisoning: Eating undercooked chicken can also lead to food poisoning that can make you very ill. Furthermore, it can also require hospital treatment. Some symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headaches straight after eating
- Abdominal cramps
- Feeling lethargic and weak
Conclusion
If you find your instant pot chicken to be undone, it’s a good idea to try the tips and suggestions we’ve discussed. By implementing these tips into your cooking process, you’ll be guaranteed a delicious-tasting instant pot chicken every time!