15+ Fresh & Easy Summer Instant Pot Recipes
If you’re looking for ridiculously easy summer Instant Pot recipes, you’re in the right place! These recipes are all super simple to throw together and totally family friendly, too. Use your pressure cooker during the warm months to keep your kitchen cool and spend more time enjoying the sunshine while dinner cooks away at home.
Summer Instant Pot: Jump to Recipes
Summer is the Perfect Season for Pressure Cooking!
Don’t put away that Instant Pot just yet! Put it to use this summer to keep your kitchen cool and to create hands-off meal that will allow you to play all day and still come home to a delicious, fresh, easy dinner. To get you inspired, I’ve rounded up my favorite fresh, real food summer instant pot recipes!
There’s no reason to miss out on the convenience & ease that comes with just throwing a bunch of real food ingredients into your instant pot and having more time to spend enjoying the sunshine. All you need to do is switch up the flavors a little bit! These are simple, vibrant recipes that are inspired by farmer’s market produce & classic barbecue flavors.
All of these recipes have easy to find ingredients and simplified prep steps. They’re designed to help you make the most of fresh summer produce – like corn, basil, tomatoes, and fresh fruits – while it’s in season (and at it’s most affordable price). I know how intimidating it can feel to use a new appliance for the first time.
If you’ve been thinking about getting an instant pot (or already have one and are scared to take it out of the box) – start with just one easy recipe. It’s the best way to learn how to use your pressure cooker, get over your fears, and (most importantly) get cooking! These recipes are great for weekly meal prep or whenever you need to feed a crowd simply & easily, too.
Summer Bounty Soups
Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder
Flavorful and super nourishing, this Instant Pot chicken corn chowder is a simple one-pot meal everyone will love. Naturally dairy-free and can easily be made vegetarian & vegan, too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), chicken broth, olive oil, onion, turmeric, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, coconut milk, white wine vinegar, garlic cloves and salt.
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Instant Pot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup
Super fresh and packed with flavor, Instant Pot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup in a one-pot dinner you’ll want to make again and again. A gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 recipe.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), tomato sauce, zucchini, chicken stock, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, lime juice, onion, garlic powder, cumin, mild chili powder, olive oil and salt.
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Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder (Crockpot, Instant Pot, Stovetop!)
Light, nourishing, and bursting with flavor this Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder makes for an easy weeknight dinner or for anytime. Can easily be made in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), baby potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk (or cream), lemon juice, turmeric and other seasonings
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Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup (paleo, whole30, dairy-free, vegan)
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup comes together in a matter of minutes and is creamy, dreamy, sweet and savory. Say hello to your new favorite paleo, whole30, vegan soup recipe!
Ingredients: cashews, olive oil, onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, stock, and salt.
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Sides & Snacks
Instant Pot Real Deal Real Food Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce
Creamy, dreamy, and totally delicious, Instant Pot Real Deal Real Food Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce is an amazing alternative to traditional cheese sauce, and is super easy to whip up. Read on for instructions to make this recipe in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop.
Looking for more easy, healthy appetizer ideas? This real food 7-layer dip recipe is always a hit at our house!
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One-Minute Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
One-Minute Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs is the simplest, best method to achieve perfect hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, every time. Just a quick 1 minute of cook time for jammy eggs, or 5 minutes for traditional, plus a plunge in and ice batch is all you need for easy to peel eggs perfect for meal prep or anytime!
Ingredients: eggs and water.
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Summer Main Dishes Recipes in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl (One-Pot!)
Let’s make a feel-good version of our favorite takeout! A true one-pot wonder, this easy Instant Pot chicken burrito bowl recipe features hearty chicken + tender rice along with beans and corn, and is a perfect dump-and-go, one-pot option for busy weeknights, or meal prep!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), rice, chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, canned black beans, corn, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder, lime juice and salt.
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Easy Instant Pot Turkey Tacos
These Easy Instant Pot Turkey Tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce and simple spices for an easy prep taco filling. Make tonight taco night!
Ingredients: ground turkey, chicken stock, tomato paste, olive oil, mild chili powder and other spices
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3-Ingredient Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
The easiest, most delicious, crazy simple recipe, 3-Ingredient Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes is your new go-to for weeknight cooking.Everything cooks at once, so dinner’s done in minutes! Gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), salsa, Russet potatoes and salt.
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Instant Pot Peach Chicken & Basil
Full of fresh summer flavors and ready in a matter of minutes, Instant Pot Peach Chicken & Basil is just the thing for a simple, nourishing dinner any night of the week.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), peaches, chicken stock, olive oil, onion, balsamic vinegar, garlic, fresh basil and salt.
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Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Enchilada Chicken
This 5-Ingredient Enchilada Chicken is one of my favorite easy instant pot dinner recipes (perfect for beginners!)
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), tomato sauce, water, onions, cumin, olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
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Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken
Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken is a real food, dairy-free twist on the classic dip we know & love! Creamy, dreamy, packed with protein, and bursting with flavor, this simple recipe is sure to become a new, easy weeknight dinner staple.
Spinach Artichoke Dip fan? You'll love this slow cooker spinach artichoke dip recipe (it's vegetarian & dairy free too!)
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Instant Pot Whole Chicken
This Instant Pot Whole Chicken is the easiest way to get a chicken dinner on the table. You won't believe how juicy, flavorful and easy this 5-ingredient recipe is
Ingredients: whole chicken, onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chicken stock and salt.
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15 Effortless Summer Instant Pot Recipes, plus Enchilada Chicken
This 5-Ingredient Enchilada Chicken is one of my favorite easy instant pot dinner recipes (perfect for beginners)! Plus 15 more summer instant pot recipes that'll save you from having to turn the oven on during the warmer months.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 (28-oz) can no-sugar added tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Juice of 1 lime, optional
- Hot sauce, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Set the saute function in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker for 8 minutes.
- Add the olive oil, onions, ¼ teaspoon salt, and saute for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and chicken, stirring to combine.
- Secure the lid, select the manual setting, and set it to high pressure for 15 minutes for fresh chicken, or 20 min for frozen. If using frozen chicken, make sure it’s spread in an even layer, without sticking together. Your instant pot may take anywhere from 25-35+ minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.
- When the pressure cooker timer is done, quick release the pressure.
- Remove the chicken, and shred or chop into bite sized pieces. Add back to the pressure cooker, stirring to combine. Taste, adding lime juice, hot sauce (if using), and additional salt or pepper if desired.
Notes
Rather make this one in a slow cooker? Check out this Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken recipe!
Use leftover chicken in easy and delicious chicken enchiladas or one-pan enchilada skillet.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 234kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 468mg, Potassium: 640mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 59IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
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