Quite possibly the most versatile protein ever, chicken shows up on dinner tables around the world night after night after night. And for good reason: Chicken is nutritious, fairly inexpensive, and even kids whose daily menu consists of approximately five foods will usually eat nuggets without (too much) complaint. Sadly, one can't live on nuggets alone. The good news is, there's literally no end to the many ways chicken can be prepared — and now that Instant Pots are all the rage, making dinner has never been easier.
Instant Pots (as everyone likely already knows) are brilliant because they require little actual "cooking" to get the job done. Just prep the ingredients, dump them in and forget it! And unlike slow cookers, which — as their name implies — aren't particularly speedy, Instant Pots magically turn raw meat, veggies, and grains into simmering full-blown meals in no time. Plus, there's way less clean up than cooking the old-fashioned way. What could be easier?
From healthy, homemade versions of take-out staples to classic comfort dishes and so much more, there's something for everyone on this list. (Except no chicken nuggets. Those are "instant" enough as it is!) Besides, with mouthwatering options like these in the kitchen, even the youngest members of the family will no doubt be persuaded to sample some unfamiliar flavors. And finally, these recipes are all budget-friendly — which makes trying new things a lot less risky! So read on for ideas — dinnertime is about to get a lot easier.
Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Talk about versatile: These simply delicious chicken breasts from A Pinch of Healthy could be served in an endless variety of ways. Slice them over salads, add to pastas or stir-fries, make a sandwich or just put them on a plate with a side or two.
Chicken Taco Bowls
Easier than Mexican takeout and so much better (not to mention healthier), these chicken taco bowls from Wondermom Wannabe will make fast food pale in comparison.
Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice
This simple but satisfying chicken, broccoli, and rice from I Don't Have Time for That also packs a lot of nutrition into one dish.
Buttery Lemon Chicken
For a meal that tastes straight out of Grandma's kitchen, try this buttery lemon chicken from Mama Instincts. Too bad Grandma didn't have an Instant Pot to help her out!
Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta
A great example of two great flavors that unexpectedly taste wonderful together, this cream cheese chicken pasta from Six Sisters' Stuff would be amazing cold on a bagel, too.
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General Tso's Chicken
Another better-than-takeout option, this General Tso's Chicken from Adventures of a Nurse is far superior to anything that can be delivered in 20 minutes.
Chicken Marsala
A classic dish served at Italian restaurants and catered affairs alike, this chicken Marsala from Confessions of a Fit Foodie will taste like it took a tremendous amount of time and effort, but it doesn't take much of either.
Honey Garlic Chicken
Tangy and addictive, this honey garlic chicken from Crunchy Creamy Sweet is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Indian Butter Chicken
This Indian butter chicken from Jay's Sweet N Sour Life is an ideal weeknight dinner, and it's mild enough for kids or anybody else who doesn't like too much heat.
Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
This crowd-pleasing chicken fettuccini Alfredo from Heather Likes Food is timeless — and won't take too much time to prepare, either.
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Honey Sesame Chicken
Seriously, Instant Pots might just make ordering out a thing of the past — if this honey sesame chicken from Pressure Cooking Today is any indication, anyway.
Buttermilk Herb Chicken
No need to worry about this buttermilk chicken from Once a Month Meals being overly dry or mealy, which is miraculous for chicken breasts.
Barbecue Chicken Sliders
Perfect for feeding a crowd, these barbecue chicken sliders from Eighteen 25 are all about summer barbecue vibes (without the barbecue).
Lemon Garlic Chicken
This lemon garlic chicken from Predominately Paleo is low on carbs but not on taste, thankfully.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
An easy update on a retro fave, this chicken cordon bleu from Adventures of a Nurse is comfort food to the max.
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Cafe Rio Chicken
Make a batch of this Cafe Rio chicken from 365 Days of Slow Cooking + Pressure Cooking and use it in salads, burritos, enchiladas or over rice.
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Another low-carb option, these Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps from Domestic Superhero make a great light dinner on a hot summer night.
Chicken Lo Mein
Still more proof that there's no need to order out: This chicken lo mein from Mom Unleashed. And who doesn't love noodles?
Shredded Mexican Chicken
Delicious stuffed into a burrito, layered over nachos or all by itself, this shredded Mexican chicken from Rebooted Mom is authentic and effortless.
Low-Carb Sweet & Spicy Barbecue Chicken Wings
Yes, wings can be healthy — and these sweet and spicy barbecue chicken wings from Real Balanced are proof.
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Chicken Corn Chowder
This chicken corn chowder from Simply Happy Foodie is a million times more colorful and flavorful than the average chowder (and faster to make, too).
Creamy Salsa Chicken
Salsa is a fabulous shortcut when it comes to spicing up the same-old, same-old. Case in point? This creamy salsa chicken from All Day I Dream About Food.
Chicken Pad Thai
Filled with authentic ingredients, this chicken Pad Thai from The Girl on Bloor will make anyone a fan of Thai food.
Chicken Mole
Chocolate and chicken? Definitely, if it's this chicken mole from Well Plated (the secret is the cocoa powder in the sauce).
Guinness Chicken Thighs
Beer makes everything better, or so these amazing Guinness chicken thighs from Happy Foods Tube suggest.
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Swiss Chicken
Breadcrumbs, butter, and Swiss cheese (of course) mean this Swiss chicken from Wondermom Wannabe will be an instant fave with the kids.
Chicken Pot Pie
No need to go through all the time and effort of rolling out dough with this infinitely easier-to-make chicken pot pie from This Old Gal.
Chicken Enchiladas
Yes, even chicken enchiladas (like these from No. 2 Pencil) can be made in an Instant Pot. Will wonders never cease!
Faux-tisserie Chicken
Even easier (and cheaper) than picking up a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work? This faux-tisserie chicken from Cooking with Curls.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This chicken bacon ranch pasta from Simply Happy Foodie combines everybody's go-to protein with two more things everybody loves: bacon and ranch flavoring. Can't go wrong!
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Orange Chicken
Sweet but not too sweet, this orange chicken from Rebooted Mom is poultry magic.
Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
Is it fair to call this chicken Philly cheesesteak from Mary's Making a "steak" (since it's chicken, not beef)? Maybe not, but nobody's going to care what this is called as long as they can have seconds.
White Chicken Chili
Great for rainy afternoons or game-viewing parties, this white chicken chili from A Pinch of Healthy is a more nutritious version of old-school chili.
Tuscan Chicken & Rice
This Tuscan chicken and rice from The Bewitchin' Kitchen would be perfect with a green salad and a glass of wine (or a juicebox).
Chicken Adobo
So many Mexican-inspired Instant Pot chicken recipes, so little time. Don't miss this Chicken Adobo from Melanie Cooks!
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Kung Pao Chicken
Featuring lots of veggies, this Kung Pao chicken from Life Made Sweeter can be hot, hot, hot or not so hot (just adjust the amount of chili peppers).
Chicken Tikka Masala
With recipes like this chicken tikka masala from Savory Tooth around, there's no reason to ever fall into a nugget rut again.
Chicken Cacciatore
Bring this chicken cacciatore from Wholesomelicious to a potluck, then sit back and soak up the praise for all that "hard" work.
Greek Chicken
Olives, lemons, and tomatoes give this Greek chicken from Wholesomelicious a true Mediterranean taste.
Spicy Paleo Sticky Kitchen
This spicy paleo sticky chicken from These Wild Acres isn't just for those following a paleo diet, but they might convince non-paleo types to give the low-carb thing a whirl.
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