Having rubbery chicken from your instant pot can be disappointing and frustrating. But don’t worry, there are some simple tricks and tips you can use to fix this common problem and end up with tender, juicy instant pot chicken every time.
What causes rubbery chicken in an instant pot?
There are a few main culprits that can lead to rubbery chicken in an instant pot:
- Overcooking – Chicken can quickly become dry and rubbery if it’s cooked too long in the instant pot. This is especially true for boneless, skinless chicken breasts which have less fat and connective tissue.
- Not enough liquid – Chicken needs sufficient moisture to become tender and juicy. Without enough liquid, it can end up dry and rubbery.
- Using the wrong cut of chicken – Chicken breast tends to become more rubbery compared to chicken thighs and legs which have more fat and collagen.
- Cooking frozen chicken – Cooking frozen chicken in the instant pot without thawing first often leads to uneven cooking.
- Not letting the pressure release naturally – Releasing the pressure too quickly doesn’t allow the chicken time to finish cooking through gradually which can create a rubbery texture.
Tips to prevent rubbery instant pot chicken
Follow these simple tips to help ensure tender, juicy chicken that isn’t rubbery every time you use your instant pot:
- Don’t overcook – For boneless chicken breasts, cook for no longer than 8-10 minutes (including coming to pressure time). Thicker bone-in chicken may need 12-15 minutes. Use natural pressure release.
- Add sufficient liquid – Use at least 1 cup of broth or other liquid for every 1-2 pounds of chicken.
- Choose bone-in, skin-on thighs – Chicken thighs have more fat and collagen than breasts so they become tender more easily.
- Use fresh, not frozen – Make sure chicken is fully thawed before cooking in the instant pot if using frozen.
- Natural pressure release – Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10-15 minutes before quick releasing if needed.
- Skip the saute function – Browning chicken first in the instant pot can cause overcooking.
Best practices for cooking chicken in an instant pot
Here are some best practices to follow when cooking chicken in your instant pot to help prevent rubbery results:
Cut chicken into evenly sized pieces
Cutting the chicken into similar sized pieces will help ensure even cooking. Aim for around 1-2 inch pieces or breasts that are pounded to an even thickness if leaving whole.
Season well
Season the chicken all over with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc. This will add lots of flavor.
Use fresh or thawed chicken
Make sure to only use fresh chicken or chicken that is fully thawed if using frozen. Partially frozen chicken leads to uneven cooking.
Add aromatics
Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger in the pot first to add extra flavor to the chicken.
Include sauce ingredients
Mix in sauce ingredients like broth, tomatoes, cream, coconut milk, etc which will provide needed moisture.
Don’t stack chicken pieces
Arrange chicken pieces in an even layer, not stacked on top of each other to promote even cooking.
Let pressure release naturally
After cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10-15 minutes before quick releasing if needed.
Tender and juicy instant pot chicken recipes
Here are some delicious instant pot chicken recipes that result in perfectly tender and juicy chicken every time:
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
This flavorful Mexican inspired chicken soup with spices, tomatoes, corn, beans, and tortilla strips is a tasty weeknight dinner that easily turns out tender chicken in the instant pot.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Chicken thighs, rice and chicken broth cooked together in the instant pot results in a one-pot meal with perfectly cooked rice and fall-off-the-bone chicken.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Chicken thighs cook up tender and succulent in a creamy, rich Indian-spiced butter chicken sauce in under 30 minutes.
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken
Shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches and tacos are just a short instant pot cook time away with this easy recipe using your favorite bbq sauce.
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Quick chicken fajitas for taco night with tender chicken, peppers and onions cooked in Mexican seasoned liquid.
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Tender chicken and soft homemade dumplings come together quickly for a comforting meal using refrigerated biscuit dough.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
Shredded buffalo chicken is ready in minutes to use for wings, wraps, salads and more.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken soup with carrots, celery, onions and noodles is on the table fast thanks to the instant pot but still tastes like it simmered all day.
Instant Pot Jerk Chicken
Spicy and flavorful Jamaican jerk chicken is ready fast in the instant pot for a tropical meal anytime.
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Juicy chicken breasts coated in crispy breadcrumbs cook perfectly tender in the instant pot. Just top with sauce and cheese after.
Troubleshooting rubbery instant pot chicken
If you’ve tried these tips but still end up with rubbery chicken, here are some troubleshooting suggestions:
- Double check cook time – Reduce cook time by 2-3 minutes and check chicken for doneness.
- Add more liquid – Increase the amount of broth, sauce, etc to at least 1 1/2 cups per 1-2 pounds of chicken.
- Switch chicken cut – Try using bone-in chicken thighs rather than breasts if having issues.
- Prevent drying – Don’t open the instant pot before pressure release or chicken may overcook.
- Check for frozen pieces – Make absolutely sure chicken is fully thawed with no frozen parts.
- Skip extended keep warm – Don’t use keep warm mode for more than 10-15 minutes or chicken can overcook.
Conclusion
Rubbery chicken from the instant pot is usually caused by overcooking, not enough liquid, or incorrect chicken cut selection. Follow the tips above like choosing skin-on bone-in thighs, using sufficient liquid, and pressure releasing naturally to help avoid this disappointing result. With some simple adjustments, you’ll be turning out perfect tender and juicy instant pot chicken every time.