Quick and Delicious Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy

Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary shortcut to a deeply satisfying, comfort-food classic that perfectly fits into a busy weeknight schedule. This incredibly simple yet profoundly flavorful dish transforms humble chicken breasts into tender, juicy perfection, all swimming in the most delicious, from-scratch homemade gravy. Prepare to elevate your dinner routine with this effortless pressure cooker masterpiece that promises a hearty meal without the fuss.

If you’re constantly searching for new, reliable Instant Pot chicken breast recipes that truly deliver on taste and convenience, then your search ends here. This Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy recipe is about to become a permanent fixture in your family’s meal rotation. It requires minimal effort, relies on readily available ingredients, and creates an unforgettable flavor profile that everyone will love. My family already considers it one of our absolute favorite Instant Pot meals!

As someone who cooks chicken frequently – and by frequently, I mean almost daily – I’m always on the hunt for easy chicken recipes that keep dinner exciting and varied. My kids, in particular, prefer chicken over other proteins, which motivates me to continuously add as many new, delicious chicken dinners as possible to our weekly menu. This recipe stands out as a true winner, combining speed with rich, traditional flavors.

Growing up, my mom often made chicken and gravy using a slow cooker or the oven, filling the house with an irresistible aroma. Inspired by those cherished memories, I set out to create an Instant Pot version that captures all the comforting essence of the original but with the incredible efficiency of a pressure cooker. The Instant Pot drastically cuts down cooking time, delivering fork-tender chicken in a fraction of the time, and best of all, you don’t have to heat up your entire kitchen, especially during warmer months.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy Recipe

This Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy isn’t just another dinner; it’s a game-changer for anyone seeking deliciousness without complexity. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a household favorite:

• Unbeatable Flavor: The combination of browned chicken, savory broth, Worcestershire, and Dijon mustard creates a deeply rich and aromatic gravy that’s incredibly satisfying. Every bite is packed with traditional comfort-food taste.
• Effortlessly Easy: With the Instant Pot doing most of the work, this recipe streamlines the cooking process. Even on your busiest nights, you can achieve a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal hands-on time.
• Super Speedy: Say goodbye to long simmering times! The pressure cooker ensures your boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfectly cooked and incredibly tender in mere minutes, making it ideal for impromptu dinners.
• Homemade Goodness: You control all the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome meal free from artificial flavors or excessive sodium often found in store-bought mixes. Plus, the satisfaction of making your own gravy from scratch is truly rewarding.
• Family-Friendly: This classic dish is a universal crowd-pleaser. The mild yet rich flavors appeal to palates of all ages, making it a stress-free option for family dinners.
• Minimal Cleanup: Cooking everything in one pot (the Instant Pot!) significantly reduces the number of dishes you’ll have to wash, freeing up more time for yourself after dinner.

Crafting Homemade Gravy: No Cream Soups Needed!

One of the standout features of this Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy recipe is its commitment to fresh, wholesome ingredients. Unlike many traditional chicken and gravy recipes that often rely on canned cream soups or pre-packaged seasoning packets for flavor and thickness, our approach uses simple, real ingredients to build a rich, savory homemade sauce from the ground up. This method not only results in a cleaner, more vibrant taste but also allows you to control the sodium and additives in your meal.

The secret to this fantastic gravy lies in the beautiful brown bits left at the bottom of the Instant Pot after sautéing the chicken. These “fond” are pure flavor gold, and deglazing the pot with chicken broth releases them, infusing the entire sauce with incredible depth. A touch of Worcestershire sauce adds umami, while Dijon mustard provides a subtle tang that brightens the overall profile. These simple additions create a complex flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours, without any need for processed ingredients. This recipe shares a similar philosophy with my popular Instant Pot Pork Chops and Gravy, proving that delicious, from-scratch sauces are achievable and easy in the pressure cooker, whether you’re using pork or chicken. When served over creamy Instant Pot mashed potatoes, it truly embodies the definition of easy comfort food.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken and Gravy

Creating truly exceptional Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy starts with a few key ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor that make this dish so comforting and delicious. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 2 pounds): These are the star of our dish. Opt for fresh, good quality chicken breasts for the best flavor and texture. Their lean nature makes them perfect for quick cooking in the Instant Pot, yielding tender, moist results that readily absorb the gravy’s flavors.
• Sea Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Simple seasonings are crucial for enhancing the chicken’s natural taste before cooking. Don’t skip generously seasoning both sides!
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the chicken, olive oil helps create a beautiful golden crust and those essential fond (brown bits) at the bottom of the pot, which are the foundation of our rich gravy.
• Low Sodium, Organic Chicken Broth: This is the liquid base for our pressure cooking and, more importantly, our gravy. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the salt content of the final dish. Organic ensures a cleaner, more robust chicken flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for adding deep, savory umami notes and a touch of tangy complexity to the gravy. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference.
• Dijon Mustard: Don’t worry, your gravy won’t taste like mustard! Dijon adds a subtle, sophisticated tang and helps to cut through the richness of the chicken, balancing the flavors beautifully.
• Dried Minced Onions: These provide a concentrated onion flavor that slowly rehydrates and blends into the gravy during cooking, adding sweetness and depth without the need for chopping fresh onions. You can also use fresh diced onions if preferred.
• Garlic Powder: A fundamental seasoning that complements the chicken and onions, providing a warm, aromatic base for the gravy.
• Butter: Added at the end, butter enriches the gravy, giving it a glossy finish and a velvety smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
• Cornstarch and Water (for Slurry): This simple mixture is the key to thickening our gravy to the perfect consistency. Cornstarch creates a smooth, clear sauce without altering the flavor.

Each of these ingredients works in harmony to create a truly delicious and comforting Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy that tastes wonderfully homemade.

Step-by-Step Guide to Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy

Achieving perfect Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy is straightforward with these detailed steps. Follow along to create a succulent, gravy-smothered meal every time.

1. Preparing and Sautéing the Chicken Breasts

Begin by patting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear. Season both sides generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Next, hit the “SAUTE” button on your Instant Pot and wait for it to display “Hot.” Add the olive oil. Once hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pot. Brown them for about 2 minutes per side until they develop a light golden crust. This browning step, known as searing, is not just for color; it locks in moisture, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and holds its shape better for slicing later. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts and Instant Pot, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can steam the chicken instead of browning it. As each batch finishes, transfer the browned chicken to a plate and cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm and prevent it from drying out.

2. Deglazing the Pot for Maximum Flavor

After you’ve browned all the chicken and removed it from the pot, it’s time for a vital step: deglazing. Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot. Immediately use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to vigorously scrape up all the delicious brown bits (known as “fond”) that have stuck to the bottom of the pot. These flavorful morsels are packed with concentrated savory taste, and incorporating them into your broth is key to developing a rich, complex gravy. Thorough deglazing also prevents the “burn” warning that can sometimes occur in the Instant Pot if food is stuck to the bottom. Once the pot is thoroughly deglazed and no bits remain, press “CANCEL” to turn off the sauté function. Then, stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, ensuring these potent flavor enhancers are well mixed into the broth.

3. Pressure Cooking for Tender Perfection

Now, carefully return the browned chicken breasts to the Instant Pot, placing them in the flavorful broth mixture. Evenly sprinkle the dried minced onions and garlic powder over the chicken. Do not stir, as you want to keep the chicken mostly submerged in the liquid. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure it’s properly sealed. Turn the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “PRESSURE COOK” (or “Manual” on older models) setting and set the cooking time to just 6 minutes on high pressure. Remember, the chicken breasts are already partially cooked from the browning step, so 6 minutes under pressure is plenty of time to ensure they become incredibly tender and fully cooked through without drying out. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to build pressure before the actual cooking countdown begins.

4. The “Dump and Start” Option for Extra Busy Nights

For those evenings when time is exceptionally tight, or you simply prefer a more hands-off approach, this Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy recipe offers a fantastic “dump and start” alternative. You can skip the initial browning of the chicken breasts entirely. Simply place all the chicken breasts into the Instant Pot, add the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried minced onions, and garlic powder (everything except the cornstarch slurry ingredients). Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and pressure cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. After cooking, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. While browning adds an extra layer of flavor and helps the chicken retain its shape, this dump-and-start method still delivers wonderfully tender chicken and a delicious gravy with even less prep work, making it perfect for those ultra-busy days.

5. Creating the Velvety Gravy

Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete and you’ve performed the 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release, carefully remove the lid. Gently take out the perfectly cooked chicken breasts and transfer them to a clean plate. Cover them loosely with foil to keep them warm while you finalize the gravy. To create the rich, velvety gravy, press “CANCEL” to clear the previous setting, then hit “SAUTE” again. As the liquid in the pot begins to simmer and bubble, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry you prepared earlier (cornstarch mixed with a small amount of cold broth or water until smooth). Stir continuously until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Finally, stir in the tablespoon of butter. Allow the gravy to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to ensure it reaches its ideal richness and thickness. Keep in mind that the gravy will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. You can then return the chicken back to the pot to coat it in the warm gravy, or slice the chicken and serve it immediately, spooning the glorious homemade gravy generously over each serving.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, making it a perfect meal for any occasion. While classic mashed potatoes are undeniably its best friend, don’t limit your options! Serve it over fluffy white rice, egg noodles, or even creamy polenta for a comforting twist. For a healthier approach, consider serving it with steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad to add freshness and crunch. The rich gravy is so delicious, it can elevate almost any plain side dish.

Feel free to experiment with variations to customize this recipe to your family’s preferences. Add a pinch of dried thyme or sage along with the garlic powder for a more herbaceous gravy. For an extra layer of flavor, consider tossing in some sautéed mushrooms or pearl onions during the last few minutes of gravy thickening. A splash of heavy cream can be stirred in at the very end for an even richer, creamier gravy texture. If you like a little heat, a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes can provide a subtle kick. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to make it uniquely yours.

Frequently Asked Questions about Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy

Here are answers to some common questions you might have when making this delicious Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy:

• Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?

  Yes, you can! If using frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you will need to increase the pressure cooking time. For the “dump and start” method, cook for 12-15 minutes on high pressure with a 10-minute natural release. If you choose to brown them first (which is trickier with frozen chicken), you’d still add a few minutes to the pressure cook time. Always check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (165°F or 74°C) before serving.

• How do I make the gravy thicker or thinner?

  To make the gravy thicker, you can create an additional cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water or broth) and slowly whisk it into the simmering gravy until your desired consistency is reached. To make it thinner, simply stir in a tablespoon or two of extra chicken broth until it’s just right. Adjust gradually to avoid over-thinning or over-thickening.

• Can I make this dairy-free or gluten-free?

  Yes, absolutely! To make it dairy-free, simply omit the butter in the gravy-making step, or use a dairy-free butter alternative. The gravy will still be incredibly flavorful. For a gluten-free version, ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free (most are, but always check labels). Instead of cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder as a thickener, which is also gluten-free. Use 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water for the slurry.

• How should I store leftovers and how long do they last?

  Leftover Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy stores beautifully. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

More Delicious Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed this Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy, you’ll be thrilled to discover more easy and flavorful chicken recipes perfect for your pressure cooker. Expand your weeknight dinner repertoire with these fantastic options:

• Instant Pot Honey Lime Chicken: A vibrant, sweet, and tangy chicken dish that’s quick to prepare and bursting with fresh flavors.
• Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken: Indulge in rich, creamy sauce infused with bright lemon and savory garlic, perfect for a cozy meal.
• Easy Baked Chicken Breasts: For when you prefer the oven, this recipe delivers perfectly moist and flavorful chicken every time.
• Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken: Spicy and satisfying, this shredded chicken is ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or game-day appetizers.
• Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken: A zesty, vibrant dish with tender chicken cooked in tangy salsa verde, excellent for tacos or rice bowls.

Pin this Recipe to Save it!

Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy Recipe Card

I genuinely hope you and your family enjoy this super easy Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy dinner as much as we do! It’s truly a recipe designed for deliciousness and convenience, bringing comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort. Happy cooking!