Here’s an Easy Instant Pot Chicken & Sweet Potato Dinner recipe that only takes 35 minutes. It’s a delicious chicken recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Gluten-free, grain-free, and so simple!

Contents show
two bowls of cooked chicken and sweet potato

You aren’t going to believe how delicious this Instant Pot Chicken dish is considering the ingredients are so simple. I originally created this recipe back in 2008, and it’s one that I make again and again.

If you’re like me and you just want a nourishing meal that comes together in about 35 minutes, then you need to consider adding this recipe to your weekly meal plan.

Why You Need to Make This Recipe

You might be wary of making another chicken dish for fear that it will turn out bland and try. It turns out that chicken is ideal for pressure cooking, since the moisture is trapped inside the pot. I have yet to have a chicken dish that wasn’t juicy and full of flavor. Trust me, you’ve got to try this Instant Pot Chicken recipe. 

For Instant Pot chicken, the general cooking times are:

  • Whole, bonelesss chicken breasts – 10-12 minutes
  • Cubed chicken breasts or chicken tenders – 8-10 minutes
  • Boneless or bone-in chicken thighs – 8-10 minutes
  • Whole chicken – 23-25 minutes (or six minutes per pound)

Since this recipe uses chicken pieces, you only need to cook it at pressure for 8 minutes.

You always need to allow about 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure and then time for a natural release (or quick release, depending on the recipe).

Key Ingredients

Chicken cutlets or chicken thighs can be used as the base of this recipe. The chicken is a nice source of lean protein that is low in fat.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent complex carbohydrate that help round out this one-pot healthy meal.

Onion and chopped tomatoes are pantry staples that help add nutrition and fiber to this easy recipe.

Spices like dried thyme, dried garlic, and ground cinnamon help add flavor. But, you can really use whatever spices you have in your cabinet.

Fresh lime juice helps add a pop of flavor when added just before serving.

ingredients for recipe with labels

Recipe Steps

Step One

The first step is to sauté the chicken and onion in the pot with a little olive or avocado oil. You can skip this step if you are in a real hurry, but it will add extra flavor to the dish. 

Next, add the dried thyme, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

process photo collage for how to make this recipe

Step Two

Cancel the sauté function and add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and water. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.

Step Three

When you’re ready to serve, stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lemon or lime juice.

As always, please do see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

bowl of cooked chicken with tomato and sweet potato and a sprinkle of fresh parsley

Recipes Tips & Substitutions

  • The total cook time for this recipe includes 10 minutes of time for the pot to come up to pressure and then 10 minutes for a natural release.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • You can use chopped chicken breasts or chicken thighs in this recipe.
  • You can use orange or white-fleshed sweet potatoes. Either is great!
  • Feel free to get creative with your seasonings. If you don’t have any of the ones listed, you can always use spices like oregano, rosemary, turmeric, curry powder, or Italian seasoning.

FAQs

What if I don’t have onions?

You can just leave them out. This recipe is very forgiving. You can get creative with the spices, too. Just use what you have and love.

Can you use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just add 10 minutes to the time (so 18 minutes total). 

Other Easy Instant Pot Recipes You Might Like

Also, don’t miss my epic round-up of Instant Pot chicken recipes, all gluten-free and dairy-free.

cooked chicken and sweet potato served in two bowls

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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instant pot sweet potato and chicken dinner with cilantro on top

Instant Pot Chicken and Sweet Potato Dinner

★★★★★

4.7 from 30 reviews
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s an Easy Instant Pot Chicken & Sweet Potato Dinner recipe that only takes 35 minutes. It’s a delicious chicken recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Gluten-free, grain-free, and so simple!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken cutlets, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 1 14.5–ounce canned chopped tomatoes, with the juices
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for topping)
  • 1 medium lemon or lime, juiced

Instructions

  1. Drizzle your cooking oil into the Instant Pot bowl and press the Sauté button. Let the oil heat up for about two minutes.
  2. Place the onion and chicken in the pot and use a wooden spoon or spatula to move it around. Add the thyme, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cancel the sauté function and add the water, chopped sweet potatoes, and tomatoes, and stir to combine.
  4. Lock on the lid and set the cooking time to 8 minutes on high pressure.
  5. When the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid and stir in the cilantro and lemon or lime juice.
  6. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in a tightly-sealed container for up to 4 days.

Notes

  1. The total cook time for this recipe includes 10 minutes of time for the pot to come up to pressure and then 10 minutes for a natural release.
  2. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, this dish will keep up to several months in the freezer in a tightly-sealed container.
  3. You can use chopped chicken breasts or chicken thighs in this recipe.
  4. You can use orange or white-fleshed sweet potatoes. Either is great!
  5. Feel free to get creative with your seasonings. If you don’t have any of the ones listed, you can always use spices like oregano, rosemary, turmeric, curry powder, or Italian seasoning.
  6. Leave out the onions if you don’t have one or don’t like onions.
  7. You can use frozen chicken cutlets in this recipe. Just add 10 minutes to the time (so 18 minutes cooking time at high pressure). 
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Instant Pot pressure cooker
  • Cuisine: Healthy

Keywords: instant pot chicken recipe, instant pot chicken, chicken dinner, healthy instant pot recipe

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