Cozy Instant Pot Chicken Tenderloins for Quick Weeknight Meals
Introduction
If you crave flavorful, comforting dinners without spending hours in the kitchen, Instant Pot chicken tenderloins are the answer. This recipe yields juicy, well-seasoned chicken with minimal effort and cleanup, making it a top pick for busy weeknights. The speed and convenience of the Instant Pot transform simple chicken tenderloins into a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal that works well on salads, in wraps, or paired with your favorite veggies.
Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Chicken Tenderloins
The key to this dish’s appeal is its combination of speed and flavor. The Instant Pot locks in moisture, resulting in chicken that’s perfectly tender every time—no more dry or overcooked poultry. With a handful of pantry ingredients, you’ll create a delicious protein base ready for endless meal combinations. Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches for the week or serving a quick family dinner, these chicken tenderloins are sure to be a hit.
Essential Prep Tools for Effortless Cooking
Efficient weeknight dinners are all about streamlined prep. Get your ingredients diced in seconds with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, perfect for onions, garlic, or bell peppers—saving time and keeping prep neat.
When it comes to the heart of this recipe, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker is indispensable. Its customizable settings ensure perfectly cooked chicken every time and keep things hands-off, freeing you to prep sides or simply relax.
To shred your chicken easily and efficiently after cooking, try the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, which lets you achieve that perfect pulled texture for tacos, sandwiches, or grain bowls.
Store any extra cooked chicken for future meals in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, keeping your leftovers fresh and leak-free.
How to Make Cozy Instant Pot Chicken Tenderloins
Start by seasoning your chicken tenderloins with a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and a hint of Italian seasoning. Sauté briefly in the Instant Pot to lock in flavor, then pressure cook with a touch of chicken broth for moisture. In less than 30 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have tender, flavorful chicken ready to serve—or use in other recipes.
You can easily double or halve the recipe based on your needs, making it flexible for singles, couples, or families. Freeze any extras for a grab-and-go protein option!
Serving Suggestions and Sides
Instant Pot chicken tenderloins pair well with almost anything: fresh salads, roasted or steamed veggies, rice, or quinoa. Use the Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen to prep sides or slice your chicken for salads and wraps.
To keep weeknight meals healthy and convenient, pack leftover chicken with greens and toppings in the Bentgo Salad Container for an easy, on-the-go lunch the next day.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe makes approximately four servings, with each portion containing around 170-200 calories (depending on seasoning and whether skinless tenderloins are used). Chicken tenderloin is a lean protein source, low in fat, and packed with nutrients—making it perfect for any balanced diet.
Cozy Instant Pot Chicken Tenderloins Recap
With the convenience of the Instant Pot, this recipe delivers a cozy, home-cooked meal in a fraction of the usual time. Juicy, flavorful chicken tenderloins come together effortlessly, making them a staple for quick weeknight dinners and versatile leftovers.
Ingredients
1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Optional: sliced onions, garlic, or bell peppers
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker to sauté mode. Add olive oil and let it heat for 1 minute.
- Season chicken tenderloins evenly with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. (Quickly prep any onions or peppers with the Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper to save time.)
- Add chicken tenderloins (in batches if necessary) and sear for 1-2 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Deglaze the Instant Pot with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Return the chicken to the pot; add optional vegetables if using.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid. Set to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on high for 5 minutes for perfectly juicy chicken.
- When cooking finishes, let pressure release naturally for 2 minutes, then quick-release the rest.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest 2 minutes. For shredded chicken, use a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for quick, even shreds.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers or use for meal prep.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Summary
Cozy Instant Pot chicken tenderloins make weeknight dinners both delicious and efficient. Versatile, healthy, and quick, this recipe is sure to become a regular staple in your kitchen rotation.