Our easy Instant Pot Mississippi chicken recipe with pepperoncini peppers, ranch dressing mix, gravy mix and boneless skinless breasts (frozen or fresh) is great. If you loved our Instant Pot Mississippi roast this is a quick and easy family favorite meal too.
I bet you’ve had some form of Mississippi chicken at a restaurant but didn’t know that is what it was called. Believe it or not, beyond the breasts you only need 5 ingredients to make this easy Instant Pot recipe. Let us show you how…
Yes we have made pepperoncini chicken in a slow cooker before but that takes a lot longer than this. If I do have my stuff together the night before I will throw it in that way. Many times I can’t think straight until mid afternoon so this fast way is my go to.
You can add as many seasonings you like or keep it simple with the 2 dry mixes we share below. Throw it on buns for a meal or serve it on top of rice, either is delicious and a low fat meal.
Ingredient Notes
The best cut to make this is boneless skinless chicken breasts. Not only does the meat break down easier without the bone but it is easier to shred when done. If you prefer dark meat you could certainly use medium size chicken thighs instead.
Packaged gravy mix and ranch dressing mix seasonings are so versatile and can make all sorts of great recipes like pressure cooker crack chicken and Instant Pot beef tips too. You can buy them like you see here portioned out, or in a large container that is cheaper and great beyond just mixing up salad dressing.
If you have never used pepperoncini peppers and are leary about heat, these can be bought mild so they aren’t spicy. BUT they add a ton of flavor to anything you make with them, and you are going to add some of the juice from that jar (or chicken broth) too.
Butter will be added to transition the sauce into more of a creamy mixture that will make your meat more tender too. You can opt for a dairy free alternative too. Then salt and pepper can be added to taste once it is fork tender and done.
How Long to Cook Mississippi Chicken in Instant Pot
There is a range. I always suggest medium sized pieces. Not only will they cook faster and more evenly but the texture is better than HUGE ones. You only need 9 minutes in this case followed by a 15 minute natural release to get them so tender you can shred them with 2 forks.
How Long to Cook with Frozen Chicken Breasts
It isn’t the most ideal texture when done because the sauce will be thinner but it is possible. If you need to begin with frozen chicken in Instant Pot you would just make sure your pieces are small to medium sized and separated from one another before adding. I would increase the cook time by 3 minutes also.
Ninja Foodi Mississippi Chicken
You can use a Mealthy, Crockpot Express or as one of our easy Ninja Foodi recipes (with the lid that is not attached) as well. As long as it has the high pressure cook function and a steam valve that can be naturally released you are good to go.
Tips for Success
As long as you use a minimum of 1/2 cup of liquid with your raw meat you should avoid the burn notice. If you are still worried because the IP site states a minimum of a cup, don’t worry. If your proteins are raw they will release juices as well, this will add to that half cup.
Remember that sauces count as liquid that is necessary to reach pressure as well. Like our Instant Pot bbq beef, we used barbecue sauce with a bit of broth to make it fall apart. Seriously only 2 ingredients in your pot and voila, dinner is served. You should give that a whirl after this one as well. Just don’t use honey style sauces, those are too thick.
FAQ
The only reason this would happen is because it hasn’t been cooked long enough. This is true whether you’re cooking fresh, defrosted or frozen chicken in a pressure cooker. Another reason is you did a quick release rather than allowing the steam to releasing naturally and all the way until there is no more.
You want to keep it moist so keep some of that liquid you cooked it in. Wait until your meat is room temperature. Then portion it out into airtight containers or freezer bags. Pour 1/4 cup of broth or your sauce into the container too. Remove air and refrigerate. Reheat in microwave for about a minute.
Pickled banana peppers would be the closest substitute. They won’t taste exactly the same but as close as possible. Both come with a flavorful brine you will use in addition to the peppers themselves to cook your chicken in to add a ton of flavor.
Instant Pot Mississippi Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless skinless cut into large chunks
- 8 whole Pepperoncini peppers, + 1/4 c. of juice from that jar
- 1 packet Ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet Gravy mix
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Cut chicken into large chunks so it can break down quicker to shred. Put into pot with all other ingredients on top.
- Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure for 9 minutes with a natural release. Do not touch steam valve to release for 15 minutes.
- Open pot, shred chicken, stir all ingredients together and serve on slider buns with a slice of cheese.
Video
Notes
Made with Frozen Chicken Breasts
Follow the same directions but make sure your pieces are separated from one another when adding into the pot. You will need to increase the timing from 9 to 12 minutes as well but the rest of the instructions remain the same.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Serve
There are many ways to enjoy Instant Pot shredded chicken. We typically will add on top of slider buns with a slice of cheese or over pressure cooker mashed potatoes. You can use the drippings to mix with another packet au jus for a thicker sauce to drizzle over the top too.
You can serve this as is as a keto low carb meal, on buns as sliders or on top of a bed of ninja foodi rice. I have even cooked up some noodles Instant Pot crack chicken pasta style too.
