21 Delicious Instant Pot Dinners for Simple Weeknight Meals

Looking for easy weeknight dinners? These 21 Instant Pot recipes keep things simple without losing flavor. From hearty soups to savory meats, these dishes take the hassle out of cooking after a busy day. They’re perfect for anyone wanting good food without a long prep time.

Image shows delicious bite of instant pot chicken paprikash.

Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Image shows bite of yummy lemon garlic chicken.
Lemon Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This lemon garlic chicken comes together quickly with the Instant Pot, turning simple ingredients into a delicious, flavorful meal. The pressure cooker ensures the chicken stays juicy while intensifying the bright lemon and garlic flavors. It’s a simple dish that feels like it took a lot more effort than it actually did.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken

Potato Corn Chowder

Spoon holding potato and corn chowder with bacon with the full bowl of soup behind it.
Potato Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Creamy potato corn chowder is a perfect meal for when time is tight but comfort food is needed. The Instant Pot brings the flavors of potatoes and corn together in a way that’s rich and satisfying. It’s an easy way to enjoy a hearty soup with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder

Pulled Pork

Image shows a Pulled pork sandwich on white plate with pretzels on the side.
Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Pulled pork is made simple in the Instant Pot, turning a traditionally slow-cooked dish into a quick and flavorful meal. The pressure cooker works its magic, making the meat tender and easy to shred. It’s a hassle-free way to enjoy a classic comfort dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork

Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup

Image shows A bowl of creamy chickpea tomato soup with dried chickpeas around it.
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This creamy chickpea tomato soup is a comforting bowl of goodness made easy with the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker blends the tomatoes, chickpeas, and spices quickly, creating a rich, satisfying soup. It’s a great option for a flavorful, filling meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup

Chicken Paprikash

Image shows Bite of chicken paprikash on a fork sitting on a glass plate on a wooden table.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken Paprikash gets its smoky depth from paprika and comes together effortlessly in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker helps the chicken stay tender while infusing the dish with rich, savory flavors. It’s a simple yet hearty meal that’s perfect for a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Mashed Potatoes

Overhead shot of a bowl of mashed potatoes in a blue bowl with parsley sprinkled over it.
Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

These mashed potatoes come out creamy and light with the Instant Pot’s help, taking the guesswork out of a classic side dish. The pressure cooker makes it easy to get smooth, fluffy potatoes every time. It’s an ideal way to make mashed potatoes with minimal effort and perfect results.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Tomato Soup

Overhead image of a bowl of tomato soup with parmesan grated into it.
Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This classic tomato soup is made simple and quick with the Instant Pot, turning just a few ingredients into a smooth, creamy soup. The pressure cooker helps the flavors blend together perfectly, creating a comforting meal in no time. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to enjoy a homemade bowl of soup.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup

Shredded BBQ Chicken

Image shows a BBQ shredded chicken sandwich on a wooden board.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Shredded BBQ chicken is a quick, flavorful dish made easily in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker locks in the BBQ sauce, making the chicken tender and full of flavor. It’s a great option for a simple meal that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked all day.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken

French Onion Soup

Image shows a Spoon pulling cheese from a bowl of French onion soup in a blue ramekin.
French Onion Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

French onion soup is usually time-consuming, but the Instant Pot makes it fast and easy. The pressure cooker caramelizes the onions and blends them with broth to create a deep, savory flavor in no time. It’s a great way to enjoy a classic, rich dish without hours of cooking.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Chicken and Rice Soup

Image shows Chicken and rice soup on a spoon with the full blue bowl behind it.
Chicken and Rice Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken and rice soup comes together in a flash with the Instant Pot, making it a perfect weeknight meal. The pressure cooker cooks both the chicken and rice together, keeping the flavors balanced and the meal hearty. It’s an easy way to enjoy a comforting, filling soup with minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup

Beer Cheese Soup

Image shows Pretzel dipping into beer cheese soup.
Beer Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Beer cheese soup is creamy and full of flavor, and the Instant Pot makes it quick and easy to prepare. The pressure cooker helps the cheese melt perfectly, blending with the beer and spices for a rich, comforting soup. It’s a great way to make a hearty meal with minimal time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup

Risotto with Peas and Lemon

Image shows instant pot pea risotto in a bowl.
Risotto with Peas and Lemon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Risotto typically takes time and attention, but with the Instant Pot, it’s effortless. The pressure cooker cooks the rice perfectly and evenly, creating a smooth, creamy texture without constant stirring. It’s a simple way to make a dish that normally requires more effort.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon

Tomato Basil Bisque

Image shows a close up of a bowl of Tomato Basil Bisque with grated parmesan on top of it.
Tomato Basil Bisque. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tomato basil bisque is rich and creamy, made easily in the Instant Pot without hours of cooking. The pressure cooker combines the tomatoes and basil quickly, resulting in a deeply comforting soup. It’s a fast and simple way to enjoy a classic dish with lots of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Carnitas

Image shows Tongs holding carnitas over a tray.
Carnitas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Carnitas made in the Instant Pot are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, but they come together in a fraction of the usual time. The pressure cooker makes it easy to create a dish that’s usually slow-cooked to perfection. It’s an effortless way to make flavorful carnitas without the long cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Overhead shot of chicken tortilla soup in a red bowl on wooden table with tortilla strips on the soup.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken tortilla soup is easy to prepare in the Instant Pot, turning simple ingredients into a flavorful meal. The pressure cooker blends the chicken, beans, and spices quickly, creating a hearty soup in no time. It’s a great dish for a filling meal that doesn’t require hours of prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tomato Lime Chicken

Image shows a Bite of tomato lime chicken on a fork with rice and the rest of the bowl in the background.
Tomato Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tomato lime chicken is fresh and zesty, with the Instant Pot making it quick and easy to prepare. The pressure cooker brings out the flavors of the tomato and lime while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. It’s a simple dish that feels light yet full of flavor, made in no time.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken

Chicken Curry

Image shows a Bite of chicken curry on a fork with the rest of the bowl in the background.
Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken curry is packed with aromatic spices, and the Instant Pot makes it quick and easy to prepare. The pressure cooker keeps the chicken tender while blending the spices into a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s a fast way to enjoy a bold, comforting dish without all the prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry

Honey Bourbon Chicken

Overhead shot of honey bourbon chicken in a bowl on a black counter.
Honey Bourbon Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Honey Bourbon Chicken is a sweet and savory dish that’s made simple in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker helps the chicken stay tender while the sauce becomes rich and flavorful. It’s a great meal that comes together quickly without losing any of the taste.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken

Meatballs and Sauce

Image shows easy to make instant pot spaghetti and meatballs.
Meatballs and Sauce. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Meatballs made from scratch are quick and easy in the Instant Pot and the pressure cooker locks in all the flavors. It turns a typically time-consuming process into a fast and satisfying meal. This is a great way to make homemade meatballs with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce

Chicken Tikka Masala

Overheat shot of chicken tikka masala in a green bowl on a white table.
Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken tikka masala is made easily in the Instant Pot, with tender chicken and a flavorful, creamy sauce. The pressure cooker blends the spices quickly, making this typically complex dish a breeze to prepare. It’s an easy way to enjoy bold, delicious flavors without the usual hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Instant Pot Chicken Stock

Image shows four mason jars of chicken stock sitting on a railing in the snow.
Instant Pot Chicken Stock. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Homemade chicken stock is simple to make in the Instant Pot, taking only a fraction of the usual time. The pressure cooker pulls rich flavors from the chicken bones, creating a deep, flavorful broth. It’s an easy way to make your own stock without the long hours of simmering.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stock

Enjoy this article? Please share it and save it for later!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.