Instant Pot Chicken is one of the quickest (and easiest) ways to cook chicken!
Just a few simple ingredients (and fresh or frozen chicken) are tossed into your electric pressure cooker, push a button and voila, dinner is ready!
You can barely prepare all of the toppings in the time it takes to make perfect Instant Pot Chicken breasts!
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I love my Instant Pot (and if you don’t have an instant pot, you need one)! If you’re asking yourself, what is the Instant Pot you’re going to love this! It’s an easy to use (aka super safe) pressure cooker that takes all of the “scary-ness” out of pressure cooking. (Check them out on Amazon here).
I love being able to grab chicken breasts right from the freezer, pop them into the Instant Pot and have a meal ready to go in just a few minutes. Not only is it healthy, it’s delicious and crazy tender!
If you use a crock pot regularly, you know you need to thaw frozen meat first and then the recipe usually takes several hours to cook (like my Crockpot Chicken Tacos).
Cooking chicken in the slow cooker is perfect for when I’m gone all day and want to come home to a meal that’s ready to go but the Instant Pot cooks a meal from frozen in just minutes. I mean, I do TRY to plan meals but sometimes it’s 5pm and I really haven’t even thought about dinner (please tell me I’m not the only one)!
In this recipe, you cook fresh chicken for 12 minutes and frozen chicken for 16! Are you beginning to see what I mean when I want to call it the Miracle Pot?
4 ingredients, that’s all it takes to get started. Chicken breast, taco seasoning (I prefer homemade taco seasoning), chicken broth and salsa – that’s it! Once cooked, you simply shred the chicken and you are ready to serve!
Traditional taco fillings and hard shells are perfect, but I also love to use soft tortilla shells or even to serve this over a bed of lettuce for the perfect taco salad!
We set out a whole tray of toppings, sour cream, Homemade Salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole… pretty much whatever you want! Have a little fun with your toppings to see what you can create!
I love to make this recipe not only because it is so simple, but because everyone in my family is satisfied! Seriously, who doesn’t love tacos?!
If you’re serving a crowd, this makes the perfect taco bar… and putting the Instant Pot on warm means your guests can serve themselves whenever they want.
Add in a simple tossed salad while the chicken is cooking and you have a complete meal ready in minutes!
This recipe both freezes and reheats perfectly! Left overs can be frozen in freezer bags to use later (if there is actually any left-over!) and microwaved until hot for a quick meal. We’ve also used this chicken to make a Nacho Platter for last minute guests!
Instant Pot Chicken is so easy to make and truly one of the most versatile recipes I have ever come across (and one you’ll pull your pressure cooker out for any day of the week). Super-fast, incredibly delicious and crowd pleasing…all reasons to whip up Instant Pot Chicken Tacos tonight!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts fresh or frozen
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet, or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa
For Serving
- 12 taco shells or small flour or corn tortillas
- toppings as desired see notes
Instructions
- Place chicken breast in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add chicken broth.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken breasts. Top with salsa.
- Press “Poultry” and cook for 15 minutes if frozen and 12 minutes if fresh.
- Once done, release pressure and shred chicken with two forks. Combine with sauce in Instant Pot and serve as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Tried this recipe tonight and it was a total bust :( I’m a sure it has good flavor, but I had to set the timer for 6 more minutes after the first time (chicken wasn’t done), then another 8 after that. The chicken was rubbery and did not shred (was basically I edible). I may try it again and make sure my chicken is thawed first. Maybe that would help?
Boneless chicken breasts cook in the pressure cooker in minutes. If you added 6+8 minutes to the initial 15 minutes your chicken would be overcooked making it rubbery as that would double the cooking time.
Love this – thank you! I have made chicken with salsa in the pressure cooker, but adding the taco seasoning and chicken broth made it so moist and tasty. Definitely a go-to for all our favorite Mexican dishes!
I’m so glad you loved them as much as we do!
I am going to triple the recipe. Do I need to triple the chicken broth? I know sometimes the water stays the same. Thanks.
I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it, but I would suggest you would want more liquid to mix the chicken with afterwards. Please let us know if you try it Nancy!
Thanks Maggie!!
Thank you, Thank You, Thank Youuuuu!!! This is my new favorite “go to” recipe! So simple and so delicious. Once it’s done cooking, I shred my chicken right in the pot with an electric beater and it works great. You are a lifesaver! I am a busy mom so my family truly appriciate you sharing this.
Shredding with a beater IN THE INSTANT POT is super genius! Thank you for sharing!
My instant pot doesn’t have a poultry option. Can I use manual? And for the same 12 minutes? Thanks!!
Yes, that will work Gina! Enjoy!
Not a fan. 12 minutes and the chicken was borderline done – probably underdone. Who wants undercooked chicken?
Liquid from salsa was not absorbed at all. Had to simmer afterwards to cook down.
Taste was pretty meh.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy this, we make it frequently and always love it!
The liquid will not be absorbed until the chicken is shredded and placed back into the juices (as you can see from the 3rd photo, there is a lot of juice). The timing is fairly standard for boneless chicken breasts however if yours were on the larger size you could potentially add a minute extra.
Made and redone several times! They are very good! !!! Now I’m in the oven for a dinner with friends
Glad you love the taco recipe Daniel!
Thank you :)
do you use the trivet to put the chicken on or just put it in??
Just put the chicken in, no trivet :)
How do I double the recipe to make these for a larger group.
I haven’t tried it, but I’d expect the cooking time to be the same, or maybe slightly more, a couple of minutes, for this recipe. Be sure to keep your Instant Pot under the maximum level. It will take longer to reach temperature with doubling or tripling. I’d suggest you check at the regular time, and add a few minutes if needed.
Tried this recipe tonight and it was fantastic! I do not cook well, but got an instant pot for Mother’s day and so far, this has been the easiest, most flavorful meal yet. My husband loved it. Thank you for sharing!!
So glad to hear! My husband loves it too!
what if I only use 2 chicken breasts? Is the time the same?
It should cook for the same amount of time.
On my IP says that I need to use, at least, 2 cups of water to generate steam. Would I need to double the recipe or this doesn’t apply for this recipe? Thank you!
I can’t say for sure Ceci. This recipe has worked perfectly for me as written.
I was wondering about this too, but I just made it as written and had no problem. Used frozen chicken breasts and cooked 15 minutes. Perfect!
Should this recipe be finished with a slow pressure release or is quick release ok? I’m new to pressure cooking:)
I use quick release with this recipe. :)
easy & yummy, thank you for sharing this recipe for the Instant Pot! I’ll be back to try more of your recipes :)
So glad you enjoyed it!! :)
Anyone tried this with chicken thighs instead??
Yes, I did…worked wonderfully :) tasty
Thanks for a yummy, quick family dinner idea, Holly!
If I need to double recipe, or triple it actually, how long should it take in the Instant Pot?
I’m an IP newbie and haven’t worked with enough to know if it’s simply double, or triple the time, or…
Melissa :)
I haven’t tried it, but I’d expect the cooking time to be the same, or maybe slightly more, a couple of minutes, for this recipe. Be sure to keep your Instant Pot under the maximum level. It will take longer to reach temperature with doubling or tripling. I’d suggest you check at the regular time, and add a few minutes if needed.
I am trying to cook 6 lbs chicken right now. Would I increase liquid 4× also or just spices and salsa
You may want to add about double the liquid and seasonings so that there is enough to add back to the cooked chicken.
how would you cook this if you don’t have a pressure cooker ..could it be done in slow cooker
Works perfect with slow cooker too….same….just cook for 4-6 hours high or 6-8 on low
They’re easy and soooo great!
15 minutes isn’t long enough. Other than that. Great.
My dad actually bought me a pressure cooker for my birthday last month, and I’ve been wanting to try it out. Will definitely be giving this a go this weekend!
This is a perfect recipe to try it out with! Enjoy!