This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Instant Pot chicken and gravy recipe has tender chicken breasts smothered in ranch gravy. It’s easy to make, comforting, and ready in just over 30 minutes!
Try my Easy 3-Ingredient Shredded Chicken and Gravy or Easy Ranch Chicken next.
Why you’ll love it
I knew I had to try my Crockpot Chicken and Gravy in the Instant Pot as well, and the results are fantastic! Turns out it’s easy to adapt, and it’s ready in a fraction of the time. Prep time is minimal, and the whole thing is done in just over 30 minutes for a cozy meal.
We’ve got juicy chicken with a ranch gravy that’s made with a few shortcuts, but there’s no condensed soup in my version. Ranch seasoning adds a zesty and bright quality. There’s just so much flavor for so few ingredients in this easy Instant pot chicken recipe!
What you’ll need
- Chicken – we’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth – the base of the gravy
- Ranch seasoning – my go-to is Hidden Valley. It gives this gravy and chicken a subtle herby, buttermilk taste.
- Garlic powder and pepper – more depth of savory flavor
- Cornstarch – to thicken up the sauce
- Chicken gravy mix – use your favorite!
Pro tip
Make sure you don’t add the gravy mix in at the beginning. It contains cornstarch, and that is not a good thing for pressure cooking. It can cause scorching and goes weirdly gloopy (yes, I tested it). The cornstarch/gravy mix goes in last for the results we’re looking for!
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- Here is the Instant Pot model I use. It’s a great little appliance for getting juicy meat fast and concentrated flavors.
- I use this classic wire whisk for the sauce.
- Easily cut up the chicken with a quality sharp chef’s knife.
How to make Instant Pot chicken and gravy
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Add the broth, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Whisk until everything has dissolved in.
- Place the chicken in, and spoon liquid over. Seal and cook on high pressure. Once the countdown is finished, do a quick release. Take the chicken out, and cut it up.
- Make a cornstarch slurry, and add it along with the gravy mix to your Instant Pot. Hit the sauté button so it thickens. Return the chicken.
Substitutions and variations
- The gravy mix and ranch seasoning both have salt, so use low-sodium chicken broth if you’re concerned about the salt content.
- You can make your own Ranch Seasoning Mix if you prefer.
- Packets of ranch seasoning and gravy mix can vary from brand to brand, so that’s why I don’t list sizes, but the ones I used were each around 1 ounce. As long as it’s in the ballpark, you’ll be good.
What to serve with Instant Pot chicken and gravy
- The gravy is fantastic over a big pile of mashed potatoes. Try my Boursin Mashed Potatoes for a creative change or my classic Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Rice works too like my Stick of Butter Rice or even pasta. Try my Garlic Butter Noodles.
- It’s great with my Easy Roasted Green Beans or sautéed spinach.
- Round out the dinner with a bright salad. Spring mix and my Homemade Italian Dressing or Creamy Balsamic Dressing are tasty options.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftover chicken and gravy for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat over a low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if needed.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Talk to me in the comments below if you made this chicken and gravy in the Instant Pot! I love reader reviews. Or tag me on Instagram if you made any S&L recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (I used Hidden Valley)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 teaspoon cold water
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and pepper to your Instant Pot. Whisk until the powders have dissolved.
- Add the chicken and ensure it's mostly submerged (spoon some liquid over top if it's not). Close the lid, ensure the valve is on "sealing", and then set the timer to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Take the chicken out of the Instant Pot. Mix the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Pour it into your Instant Pot, along with the chicken gravy mix. Press the "sauté" button and whisk until the gravy mix has dissolved. The sauce will thicken within a few minutes, so turn the sauté function off (press the "keep warm" button) once it's about as thick as you want it. Meanwhile, cut the chicken up, and then add it back into the Instant Pot.
- Serve immediately. It's delicious with mashed potatoes (or baked potatoes), pasta/egg noodles, or rice.
Notes
- 4 medium-to-large chicken breasts total about 2 pounds. Anything in that ballpark works. If the chicken breasts are very large, add another minute or two to the cook time.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if salt is a concern for you. Keep in mind ranch and gravy mixes both contain salt as well.
- Here’s the Crockpot version of this recipe.
- This is the 6-quart Instant Pot I used to make this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This was so good. I added fresh mushrooms to the chicken. Then after making the gravy added frozen peas and carrots. Served over mashed potatoes. The only thing I changed was to use only half of the ranch packet to cut down on the salt. It is a one pot meal!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Love your additions 🙂
Hello,
I have a question ! How big the gravy mix packet ? I have a gravy mix box but it’s a lot of gravy (227g) packet !
Hi! They seem to vary a little bit, but mine was 25g I believe (I don’t have any at home right now so I’m just googling). Anything around that 1 oz will work.
Can I use a jar of already made chicken gravy instead of the packet?? I cannot find a packet of chicken gravy mix anywhere! 😭
I think that should be fine! You may need to add a little more cornstarch at the end, but it’ll be delish.
This was delicious and so easy, I will be adding this into my regular dinner rotation.
Thanks!
That’s great to hear! Thanks for leaving me a comment, Sam. 🙂
Have you made this with frozen chicken?
Hi Holly! I haven’t, but you should be able to by adding an extra couple of minutes to the high pressure cook time. As with any chicken recipe, it’s a good idea to use an instant read meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked properly (165F).
I’m going to try this recipe for dinner tonight. I don’t have any gravy packets on hand right now but I do have a jar of liquid chicken gravy. Do you think I should change up the recipe in any way or should I just put the liquid gravy in place of the packet?
Hi! I would probably just add it in as-is. If you find the sauce needs thickening up at the end, you can always take the chicken out of the IP and reduce the sauce for a bit longer using the sauté function and/or add more cornstarch. Does your liquid gravy have cornstarch in it already? Instant Pot doesn’t recommend using cornstarch in their pressure cookers, but I think as long as you’ve got enough liquid in there it will probably be fine. Let me know how it goes!
Made this last night and have some of the leftovers for lunch today. I might make a little more of the slurry next time, as the gravy never got quite as thick as I wanted it. But that’s just a personal preference. The flavor is very good! I bought a pack of brown ready rice and stirred that right into the finished product, so it made kind of a chicken and rice gravy soup. LOL For lunch today, I’m going to stir some green beans into it. Very nice recipe!
I’m so glad the flavor was good for you, Jane! I love your idea of stirring the rice right in. Thanks for leaving me a comment! 🙂
Thanks for what sounds like a great recipe. My daughter does not like chicken so I try and use turkey when I can. Would you add anything or change anything if I need to switch from chicken to turkey for this recipe?
Thank you
Hi Michelle! Turkey breasts tend to be quite a bit larger, so I would just be mindful of the size – perhaps cut it/them in half so they’re about the size of chicken breasts so cook time can be kept the same? Other than that, I think it’ll be fine, and I hope she likes the recipe! Let me know. 🙂
This was delicious. I made this today. I added in some carrot slices (mostly for color) and some onions to the gravy, and I served it over rice. I will definitely be adding this to my rotation! It’s so good.
Aww I’m so happy you liked it, Alison!! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a review! 🙂
Can you make this in the crock pot? How long would I cook it for in the crock pot?
Nevermind! I saw the crock pot version link!
So glad you found it 😉