Description
This Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy recipe is a quick and comforting meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful ranch-seasoned broth, finished with a rich and creamy chicken gravy. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for a hearty, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (e.g., Hidden Valley)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pepper, to taste
Gravy Thickener and Mix
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cold water
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix
Instructions
- Prepare the broth mixture: Add the chicken broth, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and pepper to your Instant Pot. Whisk thoroughly until all powders are dissolved to create a well-seasoned cooking liquid.
- Add and cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the broth. If needed, spoon some liquid over the chicken. Close the lid, set the valve to “sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Release the pressure: Allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release the remaining pressure to unlock the lid safely.
- Make the gravy: Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour this slurry into the pot along with the chicken gravy mix. Press the “sauté” function and whisk continuously until the gravy mix dissolves and the sauce thickens, which takes a few minutes. When desired thickness is reached, turn off the sauté function by pressing “keep warm.” While the gravy thickens, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the pot, stirring to coat with gravy.
- Serve: Serve immediately. This dish is delicious over mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, pasta or egg noodles, or rice for a complete and comforting meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the broth for even cooking and flavor absorption.
- Natural pressure release for 5 minutes helps tenderize the chicken without overcooking.
- Adjust pepper to your taste preference.
- Use the sauté function carefully to avoid burning the gravy; whisk constantly during thickening.
- This recipe pairs well with a variety of sides like mashed potatoes or noodles for a hearty meal.
