If you’re trying to keep a keto diet but craving something other than plain chicken, check out these mouth-watering instant pot chicken recipes! They will save you time and money without sacrificing flavor.
You can have your chicken and eat it too with these delicious recipes for the best instant pot chicken.
From Asian-inspired to Italian-seasoned, there’s a recipe here for everyone. And since you will cook the chicken in a type of pressure cooker, it will be on the table in no time.
20 Savory Instant Pot Chicken Recipes If You’re Watching Your Weight
Without further ado, here are our picks for the best instant pot chicken recipes:
1. Best Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes with Lemon
This instant pot lemon chicken breast from Lemons for Lulu tastes great, is easy to put together, and there’s a big chance you already have all of the required ingredients in your fridge.
Besides, it’s perfect for a keto diet since the main attraction here is the chicken breast – the leanest and most protein-rich part of the chicken.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Salt
- Water
- Butter
- Fresh thyme
- Garlic cloves
- Spring onions
- Dried oregano
- Fresh ginger root
- A few lemon slices
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly cracked mixed peppers or regular black pepper
- Honey (optional)
Besides the honey, which you should only be adding in small amounts (or none at all), all ingredients are 100% keto, and the taste is to die for.
Sure enough, you can’t just eat chicken breast without a side dish, so we recommend mashed cauliflower.
2. Frozen Chicken Legs – Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for Beginners
One of the biggest downsides when you’re cooking chicken that you’ve just pulled out of the freezer, is that you have to let it thaw out before cooking it, or else it may stay raw on the inside.
Our second entry is a recipe for instant pot frozen chicken legs that we found on Lemons for Lulu.
Ingredients:
- Frozen chicken legs
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Bay leaves
- Chicken broth
This recipe is perfect for beginners since it requires very few ingredients, which also happen to be keto-friendly.
Besides, even if the chicken legs you’re using for this dish are rock-solid, the fact that you’re using an instant pot means that none of that will matter since it will still turn out hot, tender, juicy, and delicious.
As for a side dish, we think these chicken legs would go well with some homemade cauliflower rice, which is simply a cauliflower head prepared to mimic the look, feel, and taste of boiled rice.
3. Crack Chicken – Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Whenever you hear of crack food, it’s usually something made using cream cheese, ranch, Cheddar, and bacon, and in the case of this recipe from Diethood, that’s precisely what you’re getting.
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Dried chives
- Diced bacon
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Cream cheese
- Onion powder
- Dried dill weed
- Sliced green scallions
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Low sodium chicken broth
This is by far one of the creamiest dishes on our list, and we have to admit that we had a hard time deciding what we liked most: the chicken or the cream cheese seasoning.
With so much flavor, bacon, and so many types of cheese, it’s hard to imagine that this dish falls under the diet category, but trust us when we say that s far as keto goes, it’s perfect.
4. Keto Chicken and Mushrooms – Easy Chicken Instant Pot Recipes
When it comes to cooking, chicken meat, mushrooms, and cream are considered somewhat of a Holy Trinity, and this recipe from All Day I Dream About Food is the living proof of that.
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into small pieces
- Quartered mushrooms
- Dried thyme or sage
- Salt and pepper
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Dijon mustard
- Minced garlic
- Butter
- Glucomannan or xanthan gum
To make this dish, you’ll first need to know your way around the instant pot’s cooking functions and set it to sauté, a standard in all models.
Of course, this is merely the instant pot version of an otherwise classic recipe that people have been cooking in skillets and stovetops for years now.
5. Keto Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Thighs – Simple Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Yet another chicken and cream-based recipe is this one from Stay Snatched.
It’s a keto version of the classic Tuscan chicken, and it blends the texture of cream with the spiciness of garlic to create something that will surprise anyone’s tastebuds.
Ingredients:
- Bone-in chicken thighs
- Milk
- Water
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Fresh spinach
- Xanthan gum
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Sundried tomatoes
- Heavy whipping cream
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- Better Than Bouillon Chicken Seasoning
This recipe is very similar to the one we talked about previously, with the main difference being that it contains sun-dried tomatoes and spinach instead of mushrooms.
The additional ingredients help give the dish an extra dash of color and a more Mediterranean flavor profile, making it an ideal alternative to the common rotisserie chicken you’re probably tired of.
6. French Garlic Keto Chicken – Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
The difference between this recipe and the ones mentioned earlier is that this one focuses more on the marinading of the chicken, thanks to the different sauces and seasonings.
It’s a very straightforward recipe that we found on Two Sleevers, and the only thing you’ll need to make is a good-quality instant pot that can properly seal in all the flavors.
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Heavy whipping cream
- Herbes de Provence
- Ground black pepper
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chopped garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Minced garlic
- Kosher salt
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Water
If you follow the original recipe, they recommend either marinating the chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature or storing it in the fridge if you want it to marinate for longer.
We recommend that you choose the latter for a good couple of hours, and we also recommend that you make small cuts in the chicken to help the marinade seep in better.
Also, don’t forget that the spices recommended here are merely suggestions and that you’re free to experiment with different combinations to find the perfect fit for your tastebuds.
7. Lemon Garlic Chicken – Healthy Chicken instant pot Recipes
Chicken is a type of meat that is very light no matter how you look at it, be it taste or texture, or how easy it is on your stomach.
However, most recipes showcased so far used ingredients that could easily mask the natural taste of chicken. This recipe is different because it tries to let the chicken shine through by itself, with only a few other ingredients supporting it.
It’s a very healthy recipe that we found on Life Made Keto, and we think it’s one of those rare recipes that’s perfect for anyone, no matter their dietary restrictions.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Lemon zest, juice, and slices
- Heavy cream
- Minced garlic
- Garlic powder
- Chopped onion
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Homemade or low sodium chicken broth
Even without any sauce, the chicken will taste delicious, and it will look as if it were oven-roasted, only it won’t be as dry.
As for side dishes, we recommend that you take the picture above as an inspiration and pair this dish with a side of oven-roasted asparagus.
8. Keto Salsa Chicken – Instant Pot Recipes Chicken Breast
If you’re crazy about chicken and sauce, but you find the white sauce too boring, maybe you’d like a little more red thrown into the mix, which is why we included this recipe for keto salsa chicken that we found at Mom Foodie.
This Mexican-style dish is hearty and filling, and it’s perfect for anyone on a keto diet since it’s high in healthy fats and flavor and low in carbs.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salsa
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Sea or Kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- Avocado oil, olive oil, ghee, or butter
- Shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
As the name suggests, the key ingredient here is salsa, and we recommend that you use a jarred one to make things easier on yourself.
Of course, you’re free to use homemade salsa if you have the time, but we understand that not everyone has the same amount of time on their hands.
As for the side dish, we recommend you go with something that always goes well with salsa: keto tortilla chips!
9. Keto Chicken Breast Instant Pot Recipes with Butter
Many of us have a soft spot for Asian food, and it’s pretty understandable given how delicious it is. Unfortunately, most Asian dishes are off-limits for anyone on a keto diet because they’re usually loaded with carbs from the rice.
Thisinstant pot chicken breast recipe found on Keto Pots shows you that you don’t need rice to enjoy a good Asian-style meal.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken
- Salt
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Minced garlic
- Grated ginger
- Ground cumin
- Garam masala
- Ground paprika
- Diced tomatoes
- Ground turmeric
- Ground cayenne pepper
- Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Since you’ll be cooking everything using an instant pot, it won’t matter whether you’ll be using chicken breast or chicken thighs since it will turn out tender either way.
However, the combination of ginger, garam masala, and turmeric gives this dish its distinctive flavor, and it’s what sets it apart from all the other recipes on this list.
When it comes to side dishes, we recommend that you either serve this with some cauliflower rice or some oven-baked cauliflower so that the white color will contrast with the golden color of the chicken and sauce.
10. Poached – Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
While the chicken breast is theoretically the healthiest part of the chicken due to its high in protein and low fat, it’s arguably the least tasty as well, and it tends to become all dry and stringy once it goes cold.
This recipe shows you that poached chicken breast doesn’t have to be a punishment, and it can be quite delicious if done right.
We found it on How 2 Do keto, and it’s one of the simplest recipes on this list, requiring just 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes of your time.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- Chicken broth
- Bay leaves
- Garlic
Because the chicken breast is pressure-cooked, it will turn out as tender as a thigh, and since the spices are all added to the broth, they will all infuse into the meat, making it very flavorful.
As for side dishes, we recommend that you serve this with some oven-baked broccoli since it’s one of the least calorie-dense veggies that you could get.
Bonus: If you like chicken breast but don’t have an instant pot in your kitchen, know that there are plenty of keto-friendly chicken breast recipes out there that you can make.
11. Green Chile with Cream Cheese – Instant Pot Recipes with Chicken Thighs
While chicken breast is regarded as the healthiest part of the chicken, keep in mind that we’re talking about the keto diet here, so fat is just as important.
The other part of the very popular chicken is the thighs since it’s both rich in protein, it has a bit of fat, it’s more tender than chicken breast, and it’s a lot tastier.
Those are precisely the things that this from Eatwell101 has going for it, and it also happens to be one of the more unique recipes on this list due to its use of green chiles.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Low-sodium chicken stock
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Red chili pepper flakes
- Chopped green chilis
- Cream cheese
- Garlic powder
- Pepper
- Butter
- Cumin
- Salt
If you follow the recipe, there’s a high chance that the chicken thighs will end up shredded, but that’s not a bad thing since it simply shows how much the meat was tenderized.
As for a side dish, we think that since the chicken will have a distinct hint of garlic, it would go well with a side dish that does the same, so pair it with some garlic-flavored cauliflower rice.
12. Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes
If you like the poached chicken breast we showcased earlier, then you’re probably wondering whether we included a chicken thigh equivalent, and we did.
We present to you this fantastic recipe from Wholesome Recipe Box, and it’s a great choice if you want to add a bit of zing to your meal.
Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Butter
- Cream
- Dried thyme
- Lemon juice
- Xanthan gum
- Vegetable oil
- Minced garlic
- Chicken broth
- Dried rosemary
- Chopped onion
- Salt and black pepper
The xantham gum acts as a keto thickener that you could use instead of the typical cornstarch, while the cream and butter help make the sauce more flavorful and richer.
Besides, this instant pot chicken thighs recipe has a refreshing aftertaste thanks to the lemon juice, making it perfect for those summer days.
As for the side dish, we recommend serving it with some green beans or asparagus since they’re both low in carbs.
13. Rotisserie – Whole Chicken Instant Pot Recipes
Some love chicken breasts and some think that thighs are better for keto. However, the third group always thinks, why not both? and decides to cook the whole chicken in their instant pot.
If you didn’t know, an instant pot’s saute function can also cook chicken in almost the same style as a rotisserie chicken, so if you’re a fan of the latter, you should give this recipe from Life Made Keto a chance.
Ingredients:
- One whole chicken
- Garlic
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
- Dried basil
- Chili powder
- Dried thyme
- Garlic powder
- Halved lemon
- Onion powder
- Chopped onion
- Smoked paprika
- Chicken broth or water
The great thing about cooking a whole chicken is that you could easily shred it and use it as toppings for other dishes like salads or pizzas instead of just throwing it away when you’re done eating it.
However, the biggest challenge when cooking a whole chicken in an instant pot will be pulling it out of the pot in one piece since the high pressure will make it very tender.
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be a real pain if you plan to place the whole chicken on a platter to serve.
As for side dishes, typical rotisserie chicken goes well with French fries, but since those aren’t keto, we recommend the next best thing: oven-baked zucchini fries!
14. Keto Chicken Zoodle Soup – Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Instant Pot
Soups make for a very light meal, and if you make them using poultry and a ket-friendly alternative for noodles, you have a fantastic low-carb dish.
This particular recipe from Stay Snatched uses zucchini noodles (zoodles), and it’s one of the best keto chicken soup recipes we’ve ever tried.
Ingredients:
- Skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- Chicken broth or stock
- Chopped celery stalks
- Spiralized zucchini
- Chopped onions
- Chopped garlic
- Olive oil
- Water
- Fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper
We certainly loved that they used zoodles instead of classic noodles for this recipe, which is a very popular choice when making keto-friendly pasta recipes.
More so, if we were to rank all of the entries in this article based on how refreshing and light they felt, this zoodle soup would certainly take 1st place.
15. Simple Instant Pot Recipes for Chicken Soup
Not everyone is a big fan of noodles in their soup (keto or not) since they prefer the good old-fashion soup with chicken and vegetables. If you’re one of them, then this next dish that we found on All Chicken Recipes is right up your alley.
Ingredients:
- Skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- Chicken bone broth or stock
- Chopped celery stalks
- Ghee or butter
- Sliced carrots
- Diced onions
- Minced garlic
- Fresh thyme
- Juiced lemons
- Salt and pepper
The only difference between this soup and a non-keto chicken soup is that those usually have chopped potatoes as well, but other than that, it’s pretty much the same.
The great thing about this dish is that it does a good job at warming you up inside, and, as you probably guessed already, it’s a great dish to try when you have a cold or during cold winter nights.
Check out additional keto soup recipes.
16. Buffalo Instant Pot Chicken Soup Recipes
Buffalo sauce and cheese are core ingredients in keto diets since they have zero carbs and are loaded with flavor, which is perfect for those trying to lose weight.
This particular recipe from The Best Keto Recipes takes the classic buffalo chicken flavors and puts them into a soup, which is something we haven’t seen before.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Butter
- Celery
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Bell pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chicken broth
- Buffalo sauce
- Cream cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded Cheddar
While many dishes can make you fall head over heels for them because of how they look or how they taste, this Buffalo soup will make you fall in love simply because of its creamy sauce-like consistency.
Eating a serving of this soup will feel like eating rotisserie chicken dipped in a mix of queso and Buffalo sauce, and we can’t think of anything more amazing than that.
17. Thighs – Frozen Chicken Instant Pot Recipes
Whoever came up with the instant pot was a genius, especially given how this device allows you to cut back on prep time by letting you cook frozen meat without thawing it first.
This is a game-changer for those who are always on the go and don’t have time to cook, so we’re featuring this recipe from Cook Eat Well that uses frozen chicken thighs.
Ingredients:
- Prepared salsa
- Boneless, skinless frozen chicken thighs
We loved most about this dish most because you need only 2 ingredients, one of which is, obviously, the frozen chicken.
The other ingredient is salsa, and we recommend going with a store-bought option because it’s usually more flavorful, but feel free to use whichever you prefer.
Of course, if you want to avoid preservatives and other chemicals, then making your salsa would be the way to go, and you should check out our keto-friendly Marinara sauce since it’s an excellent starting point.
18. Shredded Chicken Recipes for Instant Pot
If you liked the simplicity of the previous recipe, but are looking to make some chicken that will later be used in a much more elaborate meal, then this next recipe from Keto Focus is perfect for you.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast
- Chicken broth
- Salt
Like with the poached chicken breast or the instant pot chicken thighs, this recipe is made to showcase the natural flavor of chicken, which we appreciate.
The shredded chicken can be used in various dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, salads, and so on, and it’s always nice to have some on hand.
Alternatively, you can use this savory chicken with a stir-fried side dish, such as garlic butter mushrooms.
19. Chicken and Gravy – Six Sisters Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Camille, Elyse, Kendra, Kristen, Lauren, and Stephanie (The Six Sisters) are some of the biggest names in the cooking business, with over 3000 recipes to their names, so we just had to include one of their recipes on this list.
We ended up choosing their recipe for chicken and gravy, and you can read more about it on their website, Six Sisters Stuff.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cornstarch (to be replaced)
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Butter
- Water
- Salt
The gravy makes this dish so iconic, and it’s made with a roux of butter and cornstarch, which gives it a thick and creamy consistency.
Of course, if you want to make this dish keto-friendly, you’ll have to replace the cornstarch with something else, such as xanthan gum.
As for side dishes, we recommend something as light as possible, such as a serving of oven-baked Brussels sprouts.
20. Queso Chicken – 5-Star Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Queso is one of those things that’s so good that it should be illegal, and we’re pretty sure that the same can be said about queso chicken.
This dish from Wonder Mom Wannabe is the perfect example of how two great things can be combined to create something even better.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- Canned Rotel tomatoes
- Cream cheese
- Taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Broth (chicken or vegetable)
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
As you can see, this dish is packed with flavor, and that’s precisely what we love about it: the queso-like sauce that’s all sticky and savory is the perfect finishing touch.
If you want to make this dish even more flavorful, we recommend adding some chopped green chilis to the mix or switching the Monterey Jack cheese for Cheddar.
As for side dishes, a simple serving of cauliflower rice should do the trick.
Bonus: If this dish got you thirsty for queso, check out our recipe for keto cheese sauce, which is the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of dishes.
FAQ
Discover more helpful info about chicken instant pot recipes:
Is the instant pot good for keto?
Yes, an instant pot is excellent for keto. You can make various dishes, from roasted meats to soups. All the recipes on this list are keto-friendly.
Are instant pot chicken recipes healthy and keto?
Yes. Chicken is one of the best sources of lean protein and relatively low in calories. So, if you’re looking for a healthy and keto-friendly instant pot recipe, you can’t go wrong with chicken.
Can you put raw chicken in an instant pot?
Yes. Since the inside of an instant pot reaches high temperatures, you can use it to cook raw chicken without any issues. It ensures that the chicken will be cooked all the way through. And it also helps to lock in moisture, so the final product will be juicy and flavorful.
Is it OK to put frozen chicken in the instant pot?
Yes. In fact, many people prefer this since they don’t have to wait a couple of hours for the meat to thaw.
What vegetables are keto?
Leafy greens like spinach and kale, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and mushrooms are excellent keto veggies. Find out more about how veggies and keto dieting work.
Closing Thoughts
After reading about these chicken recipes for the instant pot, we’re sure that you’re probably eager to get cooking, so we’ll just say goodbye for now.
Besides, you can always turn to keto instant pot recipes for delicious meals that won’t spoil your diet.
Don’t forget to come back and tell us which recipe was your favorite. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Happy cooking!
