Instant Pot Chicken Cubes – Low Carb Meal Prep Recipe
This Instant Pot Chicken Cubes recipe is a quick and easy low-carb meal prep solution featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a pressure cooker. The method locks in flavor using a homemade broth made with Better than Bouillon chicken base, creating versatile chicken cubes that can be frozen and used in various dishes throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes (plus pressure build-up and release time approx. 5 minutes)
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Meal Prep, Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Chicken
- 5 lbs boneless, skinless fresh chicken breasts, cubed
Broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken base
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the cubed chicken evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Add to Instant Pot: Place the seasoned chicken cubes into the Instant Pot or another pressure cooker.
- Prepare Broth: In a separate bowl, stir together 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken base to create a flavorful broth. Pour this broth over the chicken in the pot. (You may substitute with 1 cup of prepared broth if desired, though the bouillon adds extra flavor.)
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to the sealing position. Manually set to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Quick Release Pressure: After cooking, carefully perform a quick pressure release by turning the valve to venting, to prevent overcooking.
- Cool the Chicken: Remove the lid and transfer the chicken to a plate to cool completely before freezing. Reserve the cooking liquid as it can be used later to make soups or sauces.
- Package for Freezing: Divide the cooled chicken evenly into 8 freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Flatten the bags for easy stacking and label with the date. Store in the freezer for future use.
Notes
- Do not add any cooking liquid to the freezer bags to avoid freezer burn and sogginess.
- The reserved cooking liquid can be frozen separately and used as a flavorful base for soups or stews.
- For best texture, perform a quick release to prevent chicken from becoming overcooked in the Instant Pot.
- This recipe is ideal for batch cooking and meal prep, saving time on busy days.
