Instant Pot Chicken, Apples & Cabbage
Instant Pot Chicken, Apples & Cabbage is a super simple one-pot meal that’s packed with flavor, but with little prep or fuss.
A gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 recipe.

Ahhhhh, doesn’t this recipe just scream fall?
It’s packed with so much goodness, from the apples, onions, and cabbage, to the natural sweetness of the apple cider.
It’s basically just autumn in a bowl.
Not to mention it’s crazy simple to prepare and requires just a handful of simple, real food ingredients.
Weeknight dinner for the win!
I personally think cabbage is a totally underrated vegetable, as it’s not only inexpensive but also full of goodness, fiber, and flavor.
Plus it pairs so well with apples and onions, and when cooked it becomes silky, tender, and totally yummy.
Just don’t skip the olive oil when making this one, as it lends richness to the sauce plus some much needed healthy and satisfying fat.
I like to serve this meal over some cooked rice or cauliflower rice. It’s totally delicious on its own but – like my spinach artichoke chicken recipe – also great served with some crusty bread on the side to soak up all the juices.
I hope you’ll make this one soon. If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
Now, let’s make some Instant Pot Chicken, Apples & Cabbage!


Recipe & Kid Friendly Adaptations
1 | Serve atop cooked rice, cauliflower rice, or with bread on the side to soak up the juices.
2 | Pork chops work well in this recipe in place of chicken.
3 | If you’re short on time, skip the saute step, and just add everything straight to the Instant Pot (minus the apple cider vinegar). I like the flavor of the chicken better when it’s sauteed first, but it’s not necessary.
This Recipe Is…
Dairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreePaleoWhole30
Pin the Image Below To Save Instant Pot Chicken, Apples & Cabbage to Pinterest for Later!


Instant Pot Chicken, Apples & Cabbage
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
- 3 crisp, sweet apples, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- ¼ cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Equipment
Instructions
- Set an electric pressure cooker to saute for 10 minutes. Allow to preheat for 2 minutes, add the oil, allow to heat for a minute, then add the chicken. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and allow to saute until golden on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip and saute for 3 more minutes.
- Add the onion, cabbage, apples, garlic, apple cider, and ½ teaspoon salt, tossing to combine, leaving the chicken at the bottom of the pot.
- Secure the lid, select the manual setting, and set it to high pressure for 8 minutes.
- When the pressure cooker timer is done, quick release the pressure.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, stirring to combine. Taste and add additional salt if desired. Serve the chicken whole or shredded, atop the cabbage, apple, and onion mix.
- Stove Top Variation
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot. Proceed with steps, 1 and 2 above.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.
- Uncover, and proceed with step 5 above.
- Crockpot Variation
- Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides.
- Transfer the olive oil, chicken, cabbage, apples, garlic powder, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked and cabbages is soft.
- Proceed with step 5 above.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition disclaimerThis post contains affiliate links
I’ve made this recipe with chicken and pork. It is delicious either way!!
Laura, yay, so glad it works both ways, thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Robin! What are your thoughts on using apple juice if I don’t have apple cider?
Pure apple juice should work just fine, Becca! 🙂
This was so delicious and easy to make in my Instant Pot! I used leftover rotisserie chicken and skipped the sauté step. I also used rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar since that’s what I had in my pantry. Will definitely make this again!!!
Woohoo, so glad you enjoyed, Brenda!
Wow! This was tasty, juicy, and savory with a touch of sweet. I browned as directed with a touch less olive oil as I used 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I used Morton Light Salt. We ate it as is without rice or anything. The broth in the bowl tasted so good, I didn’t leave any behind. I happened to have all the ingredients and was looking for a low-carb way to use up some cabbage. Winner! Thank you!
Woohoo, so glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Is there a way to make this recipe in a crock pot instead of insta-pot? It looks great, but I only have a crockpot…
Yes, check out the crockpot variation in the recipe notes!
This was so good! I made it tonight—fits in nicely with WW. Super healthy!!
Sharon, yay, so glad you enjoyed this one!
I just made this in the pressure cooker. It is delicious! I messed up big time though and read the recipe wrong — I poured 1/4 cup of ACV instead of apple cider! I tried to make up for it by adding more apple cider. Thankfully it still turned out good! Next time I’ll read more carefully! Thank you for this recipe!!! I love quick & easy meals!
Jessica, I bet it was super tangy! Maybe a new recipe variation. 🙂 So glad it ended up turning out for you!
Have made this many times. Easy, delicious, and healthy. Usually serve over cauliflower rice. Very forgiving recipe if you go nuts on the apple cider vinegar.
Gen, yay, so happy to hear you’re enjoying this one! Serving over cauli rice is a great idea. Thanks so much for leaving a review!
I’ll be honest – at first I was skeptical about this recipe, but I made it tonight and it’s so delicious! Talk about quick and easy also! I will definitely be making this again : )
Colleen, yay, so glad you enjoyed. Here’s to quick and easy!
I added jalapeños for a lil something extra, the guys went back for 2nds
Yay, so glad this one was a hit! I’ll add jalepenos to mine next time I make this one. Thanks for the tip!
This recipe was very easy and quick to make and very delicious…my whole family liked it.
Linda, so glad you and your crew enjoyed this one! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
This is really good. When I make it again I will probably only do 6 min instead of 8 because I like my cabbage less cooked. It was one of those nights when I said what can I make with ingredients I already have in the house and this was perfect.
Laura, I love recipes that use what you have on hand and this one definitely fits the bill! Thanks for the tip on the reduced cook time for folks you prefer a less cooked cabbage. Cheers
Love this recipe 🙂
I hate when ppl say that and then proceed to list all the changes they make, but we do all as written plus add bite sized potatoes – no one can get enough of it!
Thank you!!
Angie, ha, I feel ya! Love that you added potatoes, though, and great to know it worked out–I think that addition makes this a complete one-pot meal. Thanks for sharing the tip and glad you enjoyed!
Wow, what a great recipe!! I used a mandolin to slice the onion and apple thinly, was worried it wouldn’t be right. Let me tell you it was perfect! The broth this creates is spectacular and the entire dish is so cozy and fantastic! So happy I tried it and kiddos to the creator @realfoodwholelife🙌🏻
Robyn, woohoo, so happy you enjoyed this one! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂