Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breast Using Sous Vide

Yes, you can make perfectly cooked, tender chicken breast in the Instant Pot! Use the Sous Vide function to cook chicken breasts to use in chicken salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or after doing sous vide you can grill or sear the chicken and top with a sauce to serve as the main course.

Introduction

One common complaint I hear from readers is that when they cook chicken breast in the Instant Pot it turns out too dry.

The reason is that the Instant Pot pressure cooking function works really well for fatty and tougher cuts of meat. Lean and white meats don’t do so well when pressure cooked.

Well, I’m going to show you a way to cook moist and tender chicken breast in the Instant Pot. And it doesn’t involve pressure cooking. It uses the sous vide technique.

Sous vide involves cooking the chicken at a low temperature for a longer period of time. The result is perfectly cooked chicken every time. Please note that not all Instant Pots have the sous vide functionality.

[Recommended reading: How to use the Instant Pot Sous Vide Smart Program]

If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, please read the Instant Pot  DUO Beginner’s Quick Start Guide, Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Quick Start Guide, or Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Beginner’s Quick Start Guide first and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.

Instant Pot Chicken Breasts – Ingredients

How to Cook Chicken Breasts Using the Instant Pot Sous Vide Program (Step by Step Instructions)

1. Fill the Instant Pot with water
2. Program the sous vide function
3. Place chicken breasts in a freezer bag
4. Lower bag into the water bath
5. Remove the bag from the water bath
6. Allow chicken breasts to rest and use as needed

Fill the Instant Pot with Water

• Fill the Instant Pot with water up to the 1/2-full mark or enough water for the chicken to be completely submerged.
• Close the lid and put the steam release mechanism to Vent.

Program the Sous Vide Function

• Select the Sous Vide smart program
• Set the sous vide temperature to 148 degrees Fahrenheit
• Set the sous vide cook time to 2 hours. The chicken can stay in the water bath for up to 4 hours without affecting the texture.
• Start sous vide and close the lid.

* Find out more details on How to Use the Instant Pot Sous Vide Smart Program.

Place Chicken in Freezer Bag

• While the water bath is heating up, season the chicken with salt and pepper or any spice of your choice.
• Place the chicken breasts in a gallon-size freezer bag side by side without overlapping.
• Press out as much air as you can and zip the bag closed except for 1 inch.

Lower Freezer Bag into the Water Bath

• Once the Instant Pot has reached the desired temperature, gradually lower the freezer bag down into the water. Use a wooden spoon or tongs if needed.
• Air will get forced out as the bag gets lowered. This is called the displacement method. Read more about it in How to Use the Instant Pot Sous Vide Smart Program.
• Finally, close the bag all the way until the bag is completely sealed.
• Keep the bag opening above water at all times.
• Close the lid.

Remove Freezer Bag from Water Bath

• When the sous vide cooking time is up, the Instant Pot will beep.
• Press Cancel, open the lid and using tongs, remove the freezer bag.
• Open the bag and transfer the chicken breasts to a plate or cutting board lined with paper towels.

Allow Chicken Breast to Rest and Use as Needed

• Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes.
• Use the chicken in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
• Or dry the chicken thoroughly and sear on high heat until browned on both sides.

I am not a certified nutritionist.  I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers.  If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons,  I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.

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