Instant Pots are a versatile kitchen tool for anyone, especially those in demanding professions like construction, engineering, and architecture. These recipes make it simple to throw together a healthy, filling meal in just minutes, with plenty left to pack in your lunch box the next day. Some of our favorites include lentil sloppy joes, chicken broccoli and cheddar soup, and honey garlic chicken breasts.
Under the Hard Hat’s 9 favorite instant pot recipes
1. Instant Pot Chili
It’s hard to beat a good pot of chili, and this Instant Pot chili recipe fits the bill. Classic chili ingredients like ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and spices get an extra kick from canned chipotles in adobo sauce to create a tasty, high-protein, warming meal that’s especially good in the winter months.
Why we love it: One serving of this chili offers six grams of fiber, 20 grams of protein, and only 348 calories. It’s a fantastic, simple dinner that freezes well and will surely please a crowd.
2. Honey garlic Instant Pot chicken breasts
Add fresh or frozen chicken breasts to your Instant Pot and toss in some soy sauce, garlic, honey, and chicken broth to create moist, flavorful honey garlic Instant Pot chicken breasts with the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Add frozen broccoli or cauliflower and serve over rice or lentils for a complete meal.
Why we love it: This meal has a homey, classic flavor the whole family will love. Best of all, it takes just 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, making it a perfect way to throw together a healthy, nourishing meal even when you’re short on time.
3. Curried lentil soup
This Indian-inspired curried lentil soup combines carrots, potatoes, lentils, spinach, and coconut milk with a handful of aromatic spices like garlic, ginger, and curry powder. The result is a delicious, healthy, filling soup that’s a great change from the everyday.
Why we love it: This recipe takes just 20 minutes and is packed with vegetables, lentils, and healthy fats. It’s a great recipe that is both vegan and gluten-free, making it easy to accommodate just about any dietary preference on a busy weeknight without sacrificing flavor.
4. Crockpot Santa Fe chicken
This gluten-free, kid-friendly dinner is one of those great, dump-and-go recipes you’ll come back to again and again. To make this Crock Pot Santa Fe chicken, you’ll need chicken breasts and a handful of pantry staples like canned corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Add in spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper to give this dish a zesty kick without being too spicy for the little ones. Serve over rice or quinoa or on tortillas for a convenient dinner.
Why we love it: This recipe is low-calorie, high-protein, and takes just five minutes to prepare. Using your Instant Pot like a crockpot means you can start this dinner before you leave for work and have a hot meal ready when you get home.
5. Healthy Instant Pot Mongolian beef
This healthy recipe is ready so quickly that it might take less time than waiting for your favorite Chinese food delivery—but with more nutritious ingredients and a much lower price tag. Healthy Instant Pot Mongolian beef includes flank steak, fresh broccoli, and a delicious soy ginger sauce. It is delicious when served with quinoa or rice.
Why we love it: This Mongolian beef dish hits the spot when you’re craving your favorite comfort foods while still allowing you to eat healthy.
6. Instant pot wild rice pilaf with mushrooms and saffron
Try something a little different with this savory vegetarian recipe. Instant Pot wild rice pilaf with mushrooms and saffron combines wild rice with onions, garlic, thyme, white wine, and mushrooms to make a hearty meal packed with complex carbs and other essential nutrients. Pair it with chicken or fish for the perfect combination of protein and complex carbs.
Why we love it: Wild rice is a powerful antioxidant and is rich in fiber, and this dish is also packed with over 400 mg of potassium and 485 IU of vitamin D.
7. Instant Pot lentil sloppy joes
These lentil sloppy joes are a great, comforting, handheld meal with all the appeal of a classic sloppy joe minus the meat. This recipe blends chopped onions, carrots, bell peppers, lentils, tomato sauce, maple syrup, and spices to make a deliciously messy, meatless sandwich.
Why we love it: There’s something so satisfying about a casual dinner like sloppy joes, and we love that this vegetarian version delivers the same vibe without the health risks of red meat.
8. Mojo-style pressure cooker pulled pork
Mojo-style pressure cooker pulled pork is a melt-in-your-mouth meal ready in just minutes. Just create a quick marinade, toss a pork shoulder into your Instant Pot, and cover with the juice. After 60 minutes (or up to 8 hours in slow-cooker mode), your delicious pulled pork is ready to be served; we recommend a big salad to balance the meal.
Why we love it: What’s not to love about a BBQ joint taste in the comfort of your own home? This nutritionist-created recipe emulates all the tasty flavors of Cuban-style pulled pork in a healthy recipe. Plus, it makes for a fantastic lunch served over rice or quinoa the next day.
9. Healthier chicken broccoli cheddar soup
Broccoli cheese soup is usually an indulgence, but this recipe for healthier chicken broccoli cheddar soup adds 31 grams of protein from chicken breasts and nine grams of fiber from broccoli and beans to make a yummy, healthy alternative in just 13 minutes of cooking time.
Why we love it: The registered dietician behind the blog “Meals with Maggie” created this delicious recipe, which uses beans to retain the creamy taste of broccoli cheddar soup without the fat and calories of butter and cream. It’s the perfect high-protein, high-fiber variation to keep you satiated on site on a cold winter day.
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