Frozen Chicken Tenders Instant Pot

BBQ frozen chicken tenders Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker style come out so good! Forgetful? This is how to cook frozen chicken from rock hard right out of the freezer frozen to tender and moist every single time.

I’m sure you’ve seen these at the store. They tend to be more expensive than whole boneless skinless breasts but are more tender like their name suggests. What is the difference? Well their larger counterpart is more nutritious they say and quite a bit larger.

Can you cook frozen chicken strips in an Instant Pot?

Yes!! These tend to be 1/3 – 1/2 of the size and much thinner than breasts too. Think of it like a pork roast vs. a tenderloin, I am sure you have had both of those and can tell the difference for sure. This is what you’ll need and it doesn’t matter whether they are straight out of the freezer or defrosted, the timing doesn’t change!

Chicken Tenders Instant Pot Ingredients

1. Frozen tenders, it is best to break them up but if they are in a solid chunk we have cook times for that too.
2. Chicken broth or water to steam them
3. A trivet or vegetable steamer basket
4. Sauce of your choice, barbecue is easy and delicious but teriyaki would be great too.

That is seriously it y’all. If you have made our Instant Pot frozen chicken breast with sauce this is very similar, just with less time.

How Long do you Cook Frozen Instant Pot Chicken Tenders?

Just 7 minutes!! Trick to the best result is to separate them if you have them stuck together in a large chunk. You can do this under some cool water. Then you’re set.

If you are new to using a Ninja Foodi you’ll use the lid that isn’t attached. Other pressure cookers, the directions are the same. They are all almost the same but some may have more buttons than others.

Does cooking chicken in an Instant Pot make chicken more tender?

It does!! That is really what I love about my small kitchen appliance here. If you have one of my other favorites you can make our other version which are air fryer chicken tenders no breading. The biggest difference is that this way you will get a bit of crisp on the outside whereas these won’t.

Both are great and healthier than frozen chicken nuggets in air fryer for sure. Just depends what machine you want to use that day AND if your dinner is still rock solid you’ll need this one.

How to Cook Frozen Ninja Foodi Chicken Tenders

Now if you have this pot that does both functions you have many options. If defrosted you can lightly bread them and even wrap your homemade chicken tenders in bacon!! Just try all the things my friends and see which you prefer. This is honestly best if you have forgotten to defrost ahead of time and everyone is starving.

• Separate the pieces ideally but if they are in one solid chunk I will explain what to do with those too.
• Pour broth or water into pot and lower down a trivet. Put meat on trivet or in vegetable steamer basket and seal lid and steam valve.
• If they are separated set to steam function for 7 minutes and natural release pressure at the end.

If tenders are in one solid chunk, steam for 5 minutes. Then allow for a natural pressure release. Separate them and put the lid back on and secure steam valve on top. Steam for 2 more minutes with a quick release. Remove, plate and pour bbq sauce or homemade teriyaki sauce over the top of all of them.

What temperature are chicken tenders done?

If yours are a “normal” size you shouldn’t have to really check internal temperature. I mean you can really break one apart in half and make sure it isn’t still pink and juices run clear. If your chicken tenderloin pieces are quite large then yes use a thermometer for sure to make sure they are 165 F. Quick and easy meal prep and timing right??

I mean you don’t have to eat whole either. If you really are in the mood for chicken tacos then cook the chicken as directed below. Then shred those babies right up. Toss diced cooked chicken tenders with your favorite sauce and throw it into a tortilla with cheese and cabbage!

Frozen BBQ Chicken Tenderloins Instant Pot

Jump to this Instant Pot frozen chicken recipe below and give this under 30 minute meal a whirl already. 😉 If you serve it up another way let us know so we can try that too. You might have leftovers and we surely don’t want those to go to waste though.

If you do make sure they come to room temperature. Then I like to use freezer bags, a pint size should be enough. Put all inside and suck all the air out so they don’t dry out. When you reheat them in the microwave brush sauce on them first so they say moist. You could heat them again in your air fryer too though to add some crisp too!

Need other ideas? Dice what is left up and throw it into some fried rice or over rice with teriyaki sauce for a quick lunch the next day. Two meals for the price of one is totally my type of cheap Instant Pot recipe idea for sure.

Want a crispy creation next? Try homemade chicken nuggets air fryer style too.