Yet another snow day. I have to be honest. I love the idea of snow days. Nowhere we HAVE to be, my littles and I all snuggled safely inside. Homemade dairy free hot chocolate. Quality time. Bonding.
And then there’s the reality. My husband has to stay on the Air Force Base to oversee the runways whenever there is snow, so I am a one woman show. Slushy mess tracked in and out. And then the kvetching —“I want a play date”. “I’m cold.” “My gloves are wet.” “Can we go sledding?” “I don’t want to go sledding.””I’m bored.”
I always imagine I will have more hours in the day during snow days. That I will spend some time having fun in the kitchen in between watching the kids throw snowballs. And it never freakin’ happens. Case in point: at 5:30pm tonight I realize I have absolutely no plan for dinner. I see my Instant Pot eyeballing me from across the kitchen and I am forever grateful. I have frozen chicken, some sweet potatoes, and buffalo sauce that is old but hopefully won’t give anyone E. Coli.
I toss it all in and cook on the poultry setting. I ended up adding more time because it was frozen but all in all, I had dinner in a blink. So while I did not have extra hours in the day, or peace or quiet, I did get a day with my littles and still put a whole food based dinner on the table. Sometimes our successes get measured a little differently than we expected. But that’s ok. Especially if we can avoid E. Coli as a bonus.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound organic pasture raised chicken breast (I used frozen)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons dairy free butter, ghee, or vegan butter (divided)
- 3 tablespoons buffalo sauce (look for one with the fewest ingredients and dairy free)
- 16 ounces sweet potatoes, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon (or more) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (or more) garlic powder
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- Using the “Saute” feature on your Instant Pot, cook the onion in 1 tablespoon of the cooking fat.
- Once nicely browned, place your chicken, sweet potatoes, remaining butter or ghee, buffalo sauce, and spices into the pot.
- Secure the lid and use the “Poultry” feature. If your breasts are extra big and juicy (no offense) you may need 18 minutes. If you are using frozen chicken, you will need to cook for 30 minutes so you can select the “Manual” setting, using high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Make sure the steam vent is closed and allow to cook for allotted time.
- Once complete, quick release the steam vent and then remove the lid and serve.
- If you’d like to thicken the sauce, you can make a slurry with 1-2 tablespoons of arrowroot or cassava flour and then reintroduce to the hot Instant Pot and stir.
- Note: if your IP is having any issues coming to pressure, you can add a few tablespoons of water. You shouldn’t need much if any. I have never had to add extra liquid but I know some Instant Pot’s are extra picky!
HI! I am on my way to the elimination phase of the paleo AIP. This dish looks great, and so simple to make. Do you have any suggestions for a replacement for the buffalo sauce? I know the taste will be completely different, I’m just hoping for something that will cook out similarly.
Thank you for all you do!
That’s a great question – I am not sure what you could use that would hold up in the pressure cooker. What about a little pumpkin puree or something like that? Then season with garlic?
Thank you, that’s a good idea. I will have to try it and see what happens! Thanks for replying!
How does this pressure cook with no liquid?
The chicken and veggies release enough water in combination with the hot sauce and fat.
I had to add extra liquid. 2 large chicken breasts and veggies were not enough liquid for it to pressure cook for us. Had to run it a second time after adding a cup of water and more sauce. But in the end it was good-ish for someone who isn’t big on buffalo sauce.
DO I have to cook on manual for 30 mins and then set to the poultry setting if my chicken is frozen? or is the manual setting for 30 minutes in leu of the poultry setting?
You can use the 30 in lieu of – I assume the poultry setting would work too though!
Second time making this FANTASTIC dish!
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’m a 66 yr old surfer here in San Clemente, CA and this healthy dish is now one of my favorites ever! Oh yeah….my roommate is just as thrilled!
Instant Pot Rocks!!
Thanks again.
Kenny W.
So great!
Should the potatoes be peeled or have the skins on them?
I think I peeled them for this!
Did you use chicken breasts or thighs?
I used breasts for this but you could definitely use either!
Looks great! Would it work ok with Frank’s original hot sauce?
Yep that would!
What about fresh chicken? How long?
You can just use the “Poultry” setting for fresh chicken
Is water needed if the chicken isn’t frozen?
Thanks!
Nope you should be ok with the ghee and hot sauce and natural juices from the veg/chicken!
I scrolled past this in pinterest and thought this sounded good but the hoops I’ve had to jump through just get to the recipe. I can’t even read it without pop ups galore. I realize you gotta make your money somehow with ads but come on constantly popping them plus email box is ridiculous. Unpinning!
My absolute favorite types of readers are the ones who make a dramatic exit, by first letting me know their plans of unfollowing. Farewell!
Seriously lol!! Love your sense of humor
I just love you! You make me lol with your narratives. Especially the one above! ??? Bless you and your patience.
Ha!
Love this recipe! I prechop fresh chicken and knock the cook time down to 8 minutes. Perfection!
Smart!
I love how yummy and easy this recipe is. I just made it for the second time and I use oriental and white sweet potatoes. I had extra carrots so I also added some carrots to it (probably about 2-3).
Carrots sound like a perfect addition!
So my sweet potatoes were a little too soft! Would I be able to cut down the cooking time? Wasn’t sure if I did something wrong!
You could possibly reduce the time as long as the chicken is cooked through!
Always keep it up
So I have just over 2 lbs in the pot… what times and changes should I make? They are al frozen and prying the chicken apart was not an option.
Try 18 minutes
What did you garnish the top with? I see green onions, but is the other cheese? If so, what type of cheese?
I sprinkled some feta on this!
Made this last night and it was delicious! Definitely adding it to my rotation! I did have to add a few tablespoons of water to my 8 qt instant pot when making this.
Thanks for your feedback!
Could you do this without the sweet potato? And make rice separately?
Yes you could do that!
I love this recipe, made it many times. Traveling soon without my instant pot, do you think I can do this stove top? Thanks!
Yes, you can definitely do it stove top.