These Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. With a mix of vegetarian and meat options, there’s a pressure cooker recipe for everyone!
*Originally published 11/2017. Updated 9/2023*
Hi friends!
I first wrote this post back in 2017 when instant pots were all the rage and honestly, I wasn’t sure how long the trend would last. But here we are years later and I can still honestly say that I use mine every single week. It’s great for cooking things like rice, hard-boiled eggs and shredded chicken but it’s also great for making full meals!
I know a lot of people are intimidated by their instant pot so I wanted to round up some recipe ideas for you to try!
Instant Pot Chicken Dinner Recipes & Ideas
The list below is a mix of both meat-based and vegetarian options – a list of instant pot dinner recipes healthy and flavorful – and I’m sure there is something for everyone. However, I do get the most requests for instant pot chicken dinner recipes. So I’ve included several in the list below but I also did an entirely separate post with just chicken recipes so be sure to check that out as well!
Find it here: Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
And now, here are some easy instant pot dinner recipes you’ll love!
Easy Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes with Chicken
Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles
These Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles are packed with chicken and vegetables for a quick, healthy dinner the whole family will love! Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re perfect for a busy weeknight.
Instant Pot Asian Chicken
This Instant Pot Asian Chicken can also be made in a slow cooker. It’s full of flavor and easy to make. A healthy dinner the whole family will love!
Instant Pot Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
Ready in 30 minutes, this is one of those Instant Pot dinner ideas that you’ll just keep coming back to. A little sweet, a little spicy and perfectly comforting on a busy night.
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Pressure cooking the chicken makes it fall-off-the-bone tender. Paired with a flavorful sauce and lots of veggies, this is one of those instant pot dinner ideas everyone will love!
Instant Pot Ginger Garlic Drumsticks
Tender chicken drumsticks in a sweet and sour sauce that will be a hit at any party!
Best Healthy Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
Most people think slow cookers are the ultimate fix-it-and-forget-it dinner appliance but the instant pot is just as easy to use and can often get your favorite recipes done in less time than a crockpot!
Instant Pot Beef Stew
This healthy Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe is ready in under an hour and tastes like it has been simmering all day. The perfect dinner on a cold winter night.
Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa
A quick and easy vegan meal idea made with pantry staples that you probably already have on hand!
Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl
This veggie-packed meal is quick and easy to make and also high in protein. A simple sauce adds flavor!
Creamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
This recipe is creamy and delicious just like risotto but it’s totally hands-off, no stirring required!
Best Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
You’ll love this tender and juicy pork tenderloin topped with a gravy made from the juices!
Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
A quick and healthy weeknight meal that’s the perfect balance of protein, carbs and veggies!
Instapot Family Dinner Recipes with Pasta
Don’t let your instant pot intimidate you! There are so many instant pot family dinner recipes to try – you can even cook some of your favorite pasta recipes that your family will love!
Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce
This Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce is a simple, healthy dinner recipe the whole family will love!
Instant Pot Turkey Taco Pasta
A fun way to change things up on taco night, this taco pasta is made in the instant pot and will be a hit with the whole family!
Instant Pot Spaghetti
The quickest and easiest way to make spaghetti is using the instant pot!
Easy Instant Pot Lasagna
The perfect combination of noodles, cheese and meat sauce. You won’t believe how easy it is to make lasagna in the instant pot.
Instant Pot Soups
Soups are easy to make on the stove but if you want to let one simmer and can’t be home all day to watch the open flame, making soup in the Instant Pot can be a great option!
Instant Pot Vegetable Minestrone Soup
This Italian classic soup is a family favorite. Toss all the ingredients in the instant pot and enjoy for lunch or dinner all week long!
Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup
Easy to make, full of flavor and packed with protein, this soup is perfect for a cool Fall evening.
Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
Your list of instant pot dinner recipes can’t be complete with a soup! This low carb soup is topped with bacon and green chilis making it totally irresistable.
Instant Pot Chicken Sweet Potato Soup (with slow cooker option)
This Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Soup is the perfect dinner for a cold winter night. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to throw together and can also be made in the slow cooker.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
A flavorful combination of butternut squash, apples and spices blended to smooth perfection.
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
Made with just 10 ingredients, this simple recipe is packed with flavor and makes the perfect dinner on a cold night!
Best Easy Instant Pot Dinner Staple Recipes
Here are some simple staples you can make in the Instant Pot that can be used as parts of a dinner main dish or side dish.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Use this basic recipe to make flavorful shredded chicken that can be used to make everything from tacos to enchiladas to soups to wraps.
Instant Pot Whole Rotisserie Chicken
Did you know you can make a whole chicken in the instant pot in just 45 minutes! Then use the bones to make chicken broth!
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Learn how quick and easy to cook a spaghetti squash in the Instant pot in just 7 minutes!
Instant Pot Applesauce
If you have extra apples, this Instant Pot applesauce is quick and easy and makes a great dinner side dish for kids!
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
These Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs come out perfectly every time. So easy even kids can make them!
Instant Pot Quinoa
Use this quick and easy method to make a big batch of quinoa to use in specific recipes or as an easy dinner side dish!
Perfect Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
A super easy way to have perfectly cooked and fluffy baked potatoes in no time at all! The perfect dinner side dish.
If something caught your eye, be sure to pin this post for later! And if you’re still looking to buy one, this is similar to the Instant Pot I have (affiliate link)!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Omggggg that gumbo! Can’t wait to try a few new dishes here — thanks so much for including my soup! <3