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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.
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Made this tonight and just shared with my 2 sisters. Delicious! Even my 2 and 3 year old ate this but we had to include a little bit of Creamy Four Cheese Rice a Roni with the bite of chicken to help them get it down. They are super iffy with how much they have to chew chicken but this chicken was just the right softness that it work out good. Thank you!
Aww that’s wonderful! 🙂 So happy to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to write me a comment.
Recipe is for 6 qt IP. What changes should I make to use my 8 qt IP?
Hi! I have never used an 8 quart, so I have no idea. I don’t think the recipe would need to change, though.
How about the already made chicken gravy? I couldnt find the packets.
hi i only have some chicken tenders…how much should i reduce ingredients by?
I’d just use what you’ve got and then tweak the recipe next time if you need to. There’s really no way for me to know.
Finally a recipe that does not use “cream of …” soup! I can’t tell you how many recipes I have rejected because of the cream soup. Saving this to try.
I hope you enjoy it, Anne! 🙂 I definitely tried to be a little different on this version haha.
Do you have to use a gravy packet? I don’t have one.
I’m not sure what else you’d use, unfortunately.
Really all you need to make “chicken gravy”, or any gravy, is a fat (butter, other fat), a starch to thicken (cornstarch, flour), and liquid (broth, milk, water, pan drippings). I would search “how to make gravy” on YouTube. It’s super easy and quick, and you don’t need a pre-made gravy mix.
I am thinking of trying this tonight; could I use frozen chicken or should I wait till the chicken is thawed?
Thanks 🙂
Hi! Frozen chicken is fine in the Instant Pot, so in theory it should work (I’d add on another couple minutes, though). I haven’t tested this recipe with frozen chicken, though… so I can’t say for sure if it’ll work. Let me know if you do try!
Did you try it with frozen chicken? If so, how was it? Thinking about trying it out real quick!
My husband is always suspicious of new recipes. He took one bite and exclaimed “Wow this is awesome!”. He loved it as did I. Very easy to make and packed with flavor. He asked me to make it when his parents come over next for dinner so we could “show off our cooking skills”. 😂 Thanks for a delicious and easy recipe! Looking forward to trying others of yours.
Haha that’s excellent! Thanks for letting me know. I’m so happy you both enjoyed it. 🙂
I made it and they loved it! I think next time I might add carrots.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for commenting. 🙂 I think carrots would be delish!
Gravy congealed the second it hit the broth. Now I’m left with a weird congealed mess….
Hi! Did you give it a stir? Or whisk it maybe? It’s pretty normal for gravy to clump a bit like if you’re making it out of the packet you need to stir it a fair bit to get it smooth… that’s been my experience, anyway.
The ranch gave it a weird….tang. It wasn’t terrible but I don’t think it’s going to be added to my rotation.
sorry you didn’t like it!