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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

    Published: Oct 16, 2019 · Modified: Mar 17, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 5 Comments

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    Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Taco with pinterest text
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    Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos make an amazing family friendly dinner. They are easy to make any night of the week and come together quickly. Even your picky eaters will devour these Chicken Tacos.

    Two shredded chicken tacos in a bowl with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro. Chips and jalapenos on the table

    Don’t forget to serve up your tacos with some margaritas, chips and salsa, guacamole, Instant Pot Mexican Rice and these simple refried beans!

    Next time try these ground beef tacos or creamy chicken tacos, both are delicious!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 How to Make Shredded Chicken Tacos in the Instant Pot
    2 Homemade Taco Seasoning
    3 Cooking Chicken in the Instant Pot
    4 Shredding Chicken for Tacos
    5 Final Seasonings
    6 Toppings for Shredded Chicken Tacos
    7 Freezer Friendly
    8 Other Ways to Use This Shredded Chicken
    9 More Mexican Dinner Recipes
    10 Did you make this recipe?!
    11 Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

    How to Make Shredded Chicken Tacos in the Instant Pot

    You will start this recipe by laying a flavor base in your Instant Pot:

    • 4 peeled and crushed garlic cloves
    • 1 teaspoon vinegar (apple cider or white)
    • ½ cup of water or chicken broth
    Water, garlic and vinegar in the bottom of an instant pot

    Cut each chicken breasts into 4 large chunks and set on a cutting board or rimmed baking sheet. Cutting your chicken gives it more surface area for more delicious flavor!

    Homemade Taco Seasoning

    Mix the taco seasoning in a small bowl:

    • 2 t Chili Powder
    • 1 t Dried Oregano
    • ½ t each: Onion Powder & Garlic Powder
    • 1 ¼ t Kosher Salt
    • ¼ t smoked paprika
    Seasoning for chicken in a small white bowl

    Sprinkle all the seasoning over your cut chicken breasts, on all sides, pressing it in to make sure it sticks. As you pick up the chicken to place it in the Instant Pot mop up any extra seasoning with the chicken pieces. Don’t miss out on that flavor!

    Chicken pieces seasoned on all sides with the taco seasoning. sitting on a baking sheet

    Pour ¾ cup of your favorite jarred salsa over the chicken, trying to keep most of it on top of the chicken.

    • Seasoned chicken in the instant pot on the metal trivet
      Seasoned Chicken in the IP
    • pouring salsa over the seasoned chicken in the instant pot
      Salsa poured on top of the chicken
    • chicken topped with salsa in the instant pot
      Ready to cook!

    Cooking Chicken in the Instant Pot

    Pop the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to “seal”. Set the pot to cook on high pressure mode for 7 minutes.

    At the end do a natural release for 7 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.

    Shredding Chicken for Tacos

    Using tongs or a fork, pull the hot chicken out of the Instant Pot (note: do not discard the liquid in the bottom of the pot). There are a few ways to shred the chicken.

    • Using a mixer
    • By hand
    • With 2 forks

    Shredding Chicken with a Hand Mixer

    Using a mixer to shred chicken is by far the fastest and easiest method you will come across! It literally takes seconds.

    Chicken shredded for tacos using a hand mixer

    Place the warm chicken in a large mixing bowl with ½ cup of the juice from the Instant Pot. You can also add the garlic pieces in for extra flavor. Turn the hand mixer on low and shred the chicken until it is the consistency you are looking for.

    If you use a stand mixer, use the same method but use your paddle attachment.

    Shredded Instant Pot Chicken Tacos garnished with cilantro

    Final Seasonings

    To finish off the shredded chicken taco meat squeeze a little fresh lime juice over top. Stir that in, give it a taste for additional seasoning (salt, pepper, or heat- cayenne or red pepper flakes) and it’s time to eat!

    shredded chicken in a bowl with taco fixing around

    Toppings for Shredded Chicken Tacos

    You can eat this shredded chicken in soft or hard shells and top them with all your favorite taco toppings, here are some favorites:

    • red onions or green onions
    • cilantro
    • salsa or pico de gallo
    • guacamole
    • jalapenos
    • sour cream
    • cheese
    • lettuce
    Chicken tacos on a plate topped with avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, salsa, and sour cream

    Freezer Friendly

    This recipe can be made to completion and then frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw simply put in a skillet, over medium low heat, with a little water and pop the lid on until it thaws completely.

    Other Ways to Use This Shredded Chicken

    Of course chicken tacos are always a good idea, but if you want to use this deliciously seasoned shredded chicken in a different way here are a few ideas:

    • Chicken Nachos
    • Burritos
    • My Favorite Chicken Enchiladas
    • Add Chicken to these Veggie Enchiladas
    • White Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    • Easy Enchilada Skillet

    More Mexican Dinner Recipes

    • Mexican Shredded Beef – Barbacoa
    • Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Cilantro Lime Slaw
    • Easy Smothered Burritos

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    shredded chicken in a bowl with taco fixing around

    Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

    An easy recipe for shredded chicken tacos made in the Instant Pot. These chicken tacos are super flavorful and make a great family friendly dinner.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Natural Release: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 127kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup water
    • 4 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
    • 1 teaspoon vinegar apple cider or white vinegar
    • 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2.5 pounds) cut each breast into 4 pieces
    • 2 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon each: onion powder & garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¾ cup jarred salsa
    • 1 fresh lime
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Add the ½ water, 4 crushed garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon vinegar to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
    • In a small bowl mix the chili powder, oregano, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and smoked paprika together.
    • Sprinkle ALL the seasoning over your cut chicken breasts, on all sides, pressing it in to make sure it sticks.
    • Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the Instant Pot.
      Pro Tip: As you pick up the chicken mop up any extra seasoning with the chicken pieces. Don't miss out on that flavor!
    • Pour ¾ cup of jarred salsa over the chicken, trying to keep it on top of the chicken and not in the bottom of the pot.
    • Pop the lid on the pot and lock the pressure valve to "seal". Set it to cook on manual/pressure mode, on high, for 7 minutes.
      Do a 7 minute natural release, then finish the rest of the pressure with a quick release.

    Shredding

    • You can shred the chicken with two forks or by hand. The easiest way is using a mixer, see instructions below:
    • MIXER: Place the chicken in a mixing bowl and add ½ cup of liquid from the bottom of the Instant Pot. (optional: add the garlic cloves too).
      Squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the chicken.
      Shred the chicken using a hand mixer (or stand mixer with a paddle attachment). You will want to do this while the chicken is still hot/warm. It will only take about 20-30 seconds. There may be some larger pieces left that you can shred with clean hands.
    • Taste for additional seasonings – salt, pepper, lime, cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat.

    Serving

    • Serve in hard or soft taco shells with your favorite taco toppings!

    Freezing

    • This shredded chicken taco meat freezes perfectly!
    • Let it cool completely and then place in a freezer safe container.
    • Keep frozen for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw in the fridge overnight and then warm to serve.

    Notes:

    Storing Shredded Chicken Taco Meat: Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
     
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 952mg | Potassium: 522mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily Bruno

      November 01, 2019 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      Always looking for more IP recipes – this was a winner!!

      Reply
    2. Andrea Howe

      October 17, 2019 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      I know what we’re having for Taco Tuesday!

      Reply
    3. Lauren Nagel

      October 16, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect taco Tuesday recipe to add to your rotation!

      Reply
    4. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen

      October 16, 2019 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      Ahhh delicious! The chicken comes together so quickly, aaand it’s super versatile!

      Reply
    5. Tawnie Kroll

      October 16, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      SO easy and the chicken was so moist, not dry at all!!! Best recipe for tacos ever, thank you!!

      Reply

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