So what makes this Instant Pot Chicken Salad the BEST? It is safe to say that chicken salad is a very common recipe. A recipe that I feel like majority of us have had or at least tried it right? So what would make you want to try HGHF recipe over your other tried and true chicken salads?! Well I truly stand by this recipe being The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad and that is because of these two delicious reasons.
- The method of poaching the chicken for this recipe
- The Hinkle Seasoning to use for this recipe!
Poaching your chicken with the ingredients below and in the specific method below and I promise you will never be going back to another way. It cooks it PERFECTLY. Up until this year, I never knew poached chicken could be this perfect!
What is Hinkle Seasoning?
My dad grew up being very close to high grandfather, Daddy Hinkle— which is what they called him. His grandparents lived on a farm in Oklahoma and he loved more than anything to visit there. One of things he loved about going there was not only milking the cows, but Daddy Hinkle’s cooking. He use to make this special seasoning they put on everything.
When Daddy Hinkle passed away they found his seasoning recipe in his belongings. In memory of him they decided to create this seasoning and share it! That is where Daddy Hinkle’s seasoning comes from. However, a few of the cousins drove it into the ground and it can hardly be found anymore.
Growing up we used Daddy Hinkle seasoning ON EVERYTHING. That seasoning reminds me 10000000000 % of childhood. We would use that seasoning in our mayo/Greek Yogurt based sauce and it is so stinking good! Therefore, my dad and I took to the kitchen to recreate the seasoning, because I wanted to share it with you guys, since chances are you don’t have access to the store bought Daddy Hinkle’s.
Results?? WE NAILED IT! I am not kidding you when I say we were jumping up and down with happiness. This seasoning is used in this recipe & many others on HGHF! Get ready to fall in love with it and I am so excited to share something so near and dear to our hearts with you!
4 Ingredients Away From PERFECT Instant Pot Poached Chicken
Perfect you say? YES! One of the first recipes my mom taught me was how to make her poached chicken on the stove top. It is a cooking technique that is a fundamental in the kitchen. Poaching chicken when done correctly, creates the most tender & moist chicken breast. It is an extremely healthy way to cook chicken since it requires no frying or oil. It is the most perfect method for meal prepping!
My mom though… now loves THIS version the best. Yep. You heard me! I was very very eager to show her how I turned her recipe from stove top to Instant Pot and how it took the chicken flavor & texture to a whole new level. Say goodbye to ever having dried chicken again. This Instant Pot Poached Chicken method will not fail you. It makes this chicken salad recipe the absolute best!
4 Chicken Breasts
2 Bay Leaves
2 tbsp Pepper Corns
5 tsp salt
Directions:
- Add 4 cups water, salt and pepper corns to the Instant Pot. Then stir to dissolve the salt into the water.
- Place chicken breasts into the water, add bay leaves on top & do not stir
- Turn Instant Pot to High pressure 00. It will take about 8 to 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure which is the 00. Then once it reads LO 00, you will naturally release for 11 minutes. Once the screen reads LO 11, turn the quick release button to the venting position. Then wait until the float valve FULLY drops before opening the lid
- Take chicken breasts out of the cooking water and start to shred it with fork OR my favorite way, add to your kitchen aid mixer. Then mix on medium-low, until all the chicken is shredded (promises this works THE BEST!)
Then you will use this poached chicken to finish up The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad. Watch the video below to see just how easy the poached chicken is to make!
What Easy Ingredients Do We Need for The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad?
- 4 Cups of the Instant Pot Poached Chicken from above
- 1/2 cup mayo of choice
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt
- 5 stalks celery chopped finely
- 2 green onions chopped finely
- 1 tsp of Hinkle Seasoning ( HGHF special family seasoning! See recipe below & other blog favorite recipes you can make with it!)
Directions:
- Add mayo, Greek Yogurt and Hinkle Seasoning to a small mixing bowl. Mix with spoon until fully incorporated and set aside
- In a large mixing bowl add 4 cups of the the Instant Pot Poached Chicken, celery & green onions. Mix until throughly combined.
- Then poor the Greek Yogurt mixture over the poached chicken, mix & refrigerate until you are ready to eat. However, lets be honest… I normally just eat right away!
What Other HGHF Recipes Can I Use Instant Pot Poached Chicken In or Hinkle Seasoning?
Chipotle Chicken Sandwich ( Panera Copy Cat ) — Poached Chicken
Healthy Southwest Flank Steak Salad — Hinkle Seasoning
The Best Crock-Pot Chuck Roast — Hinkle Seasoning
The Best Tuna Noodle Pasta — Hinkle Seasoning
How long does The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad keep in the fridge?
Store your chicken salad in the fridge for 3-5 days
What is the best way to store The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad?
Put the chicken salad in an air tight container in the fridge
Can you make this recipe Dairy Free?
I have not made this recipe Dairy Free. However, if there is a mayonnaise and yogurt that is DF that you love to use, please try it and let me know how it is!
Is this recipe Gluten Free?
This recipe is naturally gluten free
Can I make this recipe without the Instant Pot and poach on the stove top?
Of course! However, if you do have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend trying this method first! 🙂
The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Crock Pot
Ingredients
Hinkle Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp ground red pepper also called ground cayenne pepper
Instant Pot Poached Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts ( 1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp peppercorns
- 5 tsp salt
The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad
- 4 Cups of the Instant Pot Poached Chicken from above
- 1/2 cup mayo of choice
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt
- 5 stalks celery chopped finely
- 2 green onions chopped finely
Instructions
Hinkle Seasoning Directions
- In a small bowl add in your salt, onion flakes, garlic powder, cane sugar, paprika, pepper, celery seed, turmeric and pepper. Whisk together until fully combined.
Instant Pot Poached Chicken Directions
- Add 4 cups water, salt and pepper corns to the Instant Pot. Then stir to dissolve the salt into the water.
- Place chicken breasts into the water, add bay leaves on top & do not stir
- Turn Instant Pot to High pressure 00. It will take about 8 to 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure which is the 00. Then once it reads LO 00, you will naturally release for 11 minutes. Which means you will not do anything to the Instant Pot until the screen reads LO 11. After, you will turn the quick release button to the venting position. Then wait until the float valve FULLY drops before opening the lid
- Take chicken breasts out of the cooking water and start to shred it with fork OR my favorite way, add to your kitchen aid mixer. Then mix on medium-low, until all the chicken is shredded (promises this works THE BEST!)
Crock Pot Poached Chicken Recipe
- Add 4 cups water, salt and pepper corns to the Instant Pot. Then stir to dissolve the salt into the water
- Place chicken breasts into the water, add bay leaves on top & do not stir
- Place on low for four hours. Let rest out of water for 10 minutes then shred. After follow directions below to finish the chicken salad
The Best Instant Pot Chicken Salad Directions
- Add 1/2 cup mayo, 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt and 1 tsp Hinkle Seasoning to a small mixing bowl. Mix with spoon until fully incorporated and set aside
- In a large mixing bowl add 4 cups of the the Instant Pot Poached Chicken, 5 stalks celery diced finely & green onions chopped finely. Mix until throughly combined.
- Then pour the Greek Yogurt mixture over the poached chicken, mix & refrigerate until you are ready to eat. However, lets be honest… I normally just eat right away!
How long do you cook the chicken for?
Lol. Never mind I went back to the top of the recipe and saw the cook time. It wasn’t in the directions so it threw me off. Thank you looking forward to trying it!
Hi Jennifer!! Thanks for reaching out! I just wanted to clarify for you! So the poached chicken times/directions are under:
“Instant Pot Poached Chicken Directions” on the recipe card
** here is what it says about times
Turn Instant Pot to High pressure 00. It will take about 8 to 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure which is the 00. Then once it reads LO 00, you will naturally release for 11 minutes. Which means you will not do anything to the Instant Pot until the screen reads LO 11. After, you will turn the quick release button to the venting position. Then wait until the float valve FULLY drops before opening the lid
if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to reach out! Cannot wait for you to try!
XO-Alaina
What size/weight chicken breasts do you use? This affects cook time as thicker chicken breats take longer to cook.
Hi, thank you! Normally my 4 chicken breasts range from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds in total. I will make sure to put that on the recipe specifically. Thank you! I have done the exact same time for 2 chicken breasts as well. The cook time will stay the same either way, it just will take the pot longer to come to pressure with the 4 chicken breasts.
Hope you enjoy!!
Just made this for the zillionth time, it’s a perfect quick dinner! I even had to go to Costco to get the huge package of peppercorns because I’m making it so much. 😄 I’ve also found you can follow this recipe exactly and do 4h on low in the crockpot (vs poachng with the instant pot) with a great result!
ah yay Tracy!! Thanks so much for leaving a review! hahah I love the idea of buying the big package at Costco, I will do that!! Thanks for the Instant Pot Directions too! Will make sure to add that on the recipe!
This is like a dupe for Straubs omg so good! 🙌🏻
WOW! That is such a compliment 🙂 Thank you so much!! Thank you for your comments!!
Just made this, and it’s delicious! I also doubled up on the Hinkle seasoning recipe and stored it in a mason jar to keep on hand, i was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Thank you, I will be making wraps with this chicken salad for lunch tomorrow and I can’t wait.
ah Mattie I am beyond excited to hear how much you enjoyed it! Nothing is better than being excited for lunch the next day 🙂 Yes! If you type in Hinkle Seasoning on the search bar on the blog you will find all the other recipes that use it too!! Hope you have the best week!
What specifically is the ‘red pepper’? is it red pepper flakes or paprika?
ground red pepper or ground cayenne pepper — sometimes they interchange the names on the spice containers. I will make sure to add that note in for clarification– thanks Len!!
Fantastic! So easy and flavorful, thanks for the tip on the stand mixer, worked perfectly!
Ah yay Cassandra!!! I am so glad to hear!! Right?? the mixer is a game changer!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write a comment, I really appreciate it!