25 Instant Pot Recipes That Turn Last Minute Dinners Into Something Amazing

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Dinner plans don’t always go as expected, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with takeout. Instant Pot recipes are a game changer for nights when time is short but a real meal is still the goal. With the right approach, you can throw ingredients together, press a button, and end up with something that feels far from rushed. These recipes take the stress out of last-minute cooking while still delivering big on flavor. If dinner sneaks up on you more often than you’d like, having a few of these in your back pocket can make all the difference.

Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

A plate with seasoned chicken breast and diced potatoes garnished with herbs.
Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

The Instant Pot makes this chicken and potatoes recipe so quick and easy, perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without the long wait. Toss everything in, press a button, and dinner is ready in no time, making it a top choice for Instant Pot recipes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

Instant Pot Chicken Korma

A bowl of curry with chicken and vegetables, garnished with herbs. Accompanied by naan bread, sliced onions, and rice. Placed on a blue tabletop.
Instant Pot Chicken Korma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious .

Instant Pot chicken korma is a great choice when you’re craving a rich and creamy dish but don’t want to spend hours cooking. With the Instant Pot, you get a flavorful meal in a fraction of the time—ideal for busy nights when you need something comforting, fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup Recipe

A green bowl filled with creamy soup, topped with shredded cheese and crispy bacon bits, placed on a white surface.
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Honest And Truly.

This Instant Pot baked potato soup is a game-changer for those busy afternoons when you need a filling meal without much effort. The Instant Pot takes the time-consuming work out of making this creamy soup, making it a perfect addition to your list of go-to Instant Pot recipes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

A bowl of chicken corn soup garnished with herbs, surrounded by fresh vegetables, salt and pepper shakers, and a spoon on a wooden table.
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious .

Get the comfort of chicken pot pie in a soup that cooks in minutes with your Instant Pot. This recipe simplifies the traditional dish while keeping all the delicious flavors, making it a perfect fit for Instant Pot recipes that save time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

A white bowl filled with colorful vegetable soup, topped with chopped herbs. A piece of bread and a sprig of parsley are nearby on a light surface.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot minestrone soup is a one-pot wonder that packs in tons of veggies and flavor in a short amount of time. It’s the ideal recipe when you want a hearty, healthy meal but don’t want to spend hours preparing it.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Bowl of creamy soup topped with shredded cheese is on a wooden surface next to a fresh broccoli floret.
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Honest And Truly.

You can enjoy a creamy, cheesy bowl of broccoli cheddar soup in no time with your Instant Pot. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for anyone looking for an Instant Pot meal that combines comfort and convenience.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Shrimp

A bowl of cooked shrimp seasoned with herbs, placed on a wooden board, with a fork and spices nearby.
Instant Pot Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious .

When you want a fast seafood dinner, Instant Pot shrimp is the way to go. It’s quick, flavorful, and doesn’t require much prep, making it one of the best Instant Pot recipes for a quick meal that still impresses.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

A bowl of creamy curry with chunks of meat on a bed of rice, garnished with chopped parsley.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Instant Pot butter chicken recipe is a great choice for when you’re craving a flavorful, creamy meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. The Instant Pot cuts down cooking time, allowing you to enjoy this rich dish faster than ever.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash

A bowl of curry with spinach and carrot slices, in a white patterned bowl, placed on a dark surface with a pressure cooker in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot chicken stew is the perfect solution for busy evenings. With tender chicken and butternut squash, you get a comforting stew in a fraction of the time, making it a great fit for your Instant Pot recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash

Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup

Two bowls of bean soup garnished with herbs and grated cheese, accompanied by a small bowl of chopped herbs on a white surface. A white cloth is partially visible.
Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

With the Instant Pot, navy bean soup goes from preparation to table in minutes. It’s a simple, filling meal that you can whip up quickly, making it a great addition to your Instant Pot recipes for easy lunches or dinners.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Plate of stewed chicken in brown sauce, garnished with green onions, surrounded by bowls of ingredients and rice, with a striped cloth nearby.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious .

Instant Pot chicken adobo is a fantastic choice when you want something packed with flavor but without the long cooking time. The Instant Pot makes this traditionally slow-cooked dish quick and easy, making it a must-try in your Instant Pot recipe lineup.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant Pot Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe

A blue bowl filled with creamy chowder containing corn and topped with bacon pieces, placed on a wooden surface.
Instant Pot Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe. Photo credit: Honest And Truly.

This creamy potato and corn chowder comes together quickly in the Instant Pot, which means you can enjoy a hearty meal with minimal prep and cook time. It’s perfect for those looking for Instant Pot recipes that are easy yet satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe

Instant Pot Chipotle Peruano Beans

A bowl with rice, green sauce, and beans, placed on a blue surface with a metal spoon.
Instant Pot Chipotle Peruano Beans. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Instant Pot chipotle peruano beans are packed with smoky flavor and are ready to eat in less time than you’d expect. This quick and easy recipe is a perfect fit for Instant Pot recipes that deliver maximum taste in minimum time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chipotle Peruano Beans

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Two bowls of mushroom soup with herbs, featuring sliced mushrooms and fresh parsley on top, set against a dark background.
Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Beef stew can take hours to cook, but the Instant Pot makes it a breeze. With this recipe, you can enjoy a tender, flavorful stew in a fraction of the time, making it an excellent addition to your Instant Pot recipe list for quick, hearty meals.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

A bowl of Thai curry with vegetables and chicken, garnished with lime slices, next to a bowl of rice and a dark napkin on a textured surface.
Instant Pot Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Instant Pot chicken curry cooks up fast while keeping all the complex flavors intact. It’s an easy option for anyone looking for a flavorful meal without the long prep, making it a great addition to your Instant Pot recipes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Chicken Potato Stew

A bowl of creamy white soup topped with chopped green onions on a wooden table next to a floral-patterned cloth.
Chicken Potato Stew. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

With the Instant Pot, you can have a hearty chicken potato stew on the table in no time. The tender chicken and potatoes make it a comforting meal that’s perfect for any busy day, and the Instant Pot ensures you get a flavorful stew with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Potato Stew

Three Sisters Soup

A bowl of soup with corn, beans, potato chunks, and red peppers in a seasoned broth.
Three Sisters Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Three Sisters Soup in the Instant Pot comes together quickly, making it the perfect choice when you want a comforting and filling meal without all the extra time in the kitchen. It’s an ideal Instant Pot recipe when you need a hearty, healthy meal in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Three Sisters Soup

Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice

A fork holding a bite of jambalaya with rice, sausage, shredded chicken, and vegetables, topped with chopped green onions.
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Instant Pot Cajun chicken rice is a flavorful one-pot meal that comes together fast. It’s an easy option for anyone who wants a spicy, satisfying meal without spending hours cooking, making it a great addition to your Instant Pot recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

A plate of cooked chicken on a bed of seasoned rice, garnished with chopped herbs.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Chicken thighs and rice come out tender and perfectly cooked every time with the Instant Pot. It’s a quick and easy recipe that makes a hearty meal with minimal prep, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying dish in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Grilled chicken thighs glazed with sauce, garnished with green onions, on a wooden board. Rice, greens, and sauce are in the background, with a blue napkin and utensils nearby.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot honey garlic chicken is sweet, savory, and quick to prepare. This recipe delivers tender chicken in a flavorful sauce in no time, making it a fantastic choice for an Instant Pot recipe when you’re short on time but still want something delicious.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

A bowl of chicken soup containing shredded chicken, sliced carrots, celery, and fresh parsley. A spoon is dipped into the soup. Another bowl and parsley are visible in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This Instant Pot chicken stew is the perfect meal for when you want something comforting and easy. With minimal prep time, you can enjoy a rich, hearty stew in just a fraction of the usual time, making it an essential recipe for Instant Pot lovers.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew

The Best Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

A bowl of creamy pumpkin risotto, topped with two sage leaves, set against a white background.
The Best Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Creamy, flavorful pumpkin risotto comes together faster than you’d expect with the Instant Pot. This dish saves you time on stirring and constant attention, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a quick and delicious fall-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: The Best Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

Chicken Tinga

Shredded chicken with sauce, garnished with sliced jalapeños and fresh herbs, served in an orange bowl.
Chicken Tinga. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Instant Pot chicken tinga makes this spicy, smoky dish quick and easy to prepare. It’s a perfect option for a fast and flavorful meal when you’re craving something with a little kick, making it a must-try Instant Pot recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga

Quick Prep Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup

A bowl of hearty beef and barley soup with carrots, mushrooms, and herbs, placed on a wooden board. A spoon displays the soup's ingredients above the bowl.
Quick Prep Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup. Photo credit: fannetastic food.

Beef and barley soup is the ultimate comfort food, and with the Instant Pot, it’s ready in no time. This recipe delivers rich, savory flavors in a fraction of the usual cooking time, making it an ideal addition to your Instant Pot recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: Quick Prep Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup

Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with carrots, peas, and potatoes, next to a glass of orange juice, on a white surface.
Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beef stew with apple cider is a twist on the classic, made even easier with the Instant Pot. It’s the perfect option when you want a flavorful stew in no time, making it one of the best Instant Pot recipes for a hearty, quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

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Sarita Harbour has been stretching her food dollars to feed her family for over 30 years. As a former banker and current freelance writer, she's written boatloads of articles about budgeting, homesteading, gardening, personal finance and more. Her food-related articles have been widely syndicated through AP and MSN. Look for her food features at NBC, The Seattle Times, Yahoo! Life, Chowhound, Tasting Table and MSN.