Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

Three-ingredient Mexican Shredded Chicken cooks in just 10 minutes in the Instant Pot! Moist, delicious shredded chicken with south-of-the border flavor is so great in everything from Mexican dishes to salads.

This Mexican chicken recipe is delicious and also one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes you'll make. It's a great recipe for an easy dinner and a healthy meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor! The whole family will love it.

You can use it in so many ways. This easy Mexican shredded chicken recipe is a low carb low calorie keeper!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love it
• What makes this skinny?
• Recipe Ingredients Notes
• Cooking Times for Large or Frozen Chicken Breasts
• How to Make Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken - Step-by-Step
• Best Method to shred chicken
• Variation
• Recipe Tips
• How to Use the Mexican Shredded Chicken
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Storing Leftovers
• More recipes you'll love!
• Recipe

Why you'll love it

Having an ingredient like this Mexican shredded chicken is a 'must have' in your skinny food arsenal. You'll love it because:

• it's so FAST & EASY to make
• only 3 ingredients
• it's moist and packed with flavor
• easy to to change up to give it different flavor and heat levels
• it can be used in SO many ways (ideas below)
• can be made with fresh or frozen chicken
• great for meal prep

What makes this skinny?

It's made of only lean boneless chicken breasts, seasoning and salsa. All are low in calories. No oil is needed or used.

Recipe Ingredients Notes

Only three simple ingredients are needed!

Salsa. Use restaurant-style, or a more liquid salsa for this recipe versus a less liquid salsa like pico de gallo. It can be smooth or chunky but should have more liquid (see photos).

You can make it as spicy (or mild) as you prefer. Just pick the heat level you like when you select the salsa you'll use.

Taco Seasoning. Store-bought or homemade taco seasoning can be used. We like using homemade taco seasoning which has a perfect blend of spices and is not as salty tasting as store bought taco seasoning.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. You'll need 2 pounds of boneless skinless breasts are used; 4 8-ounce breasts as an estimate.

Chicken breasts range widely in size and the larger the breasts the longer cooking time is required. Aim for 4 boneless breasts equaling a total of 2 pounds.

Cooking Times for Large or Frozen Chicken Breasts

Instructions are included for larger chicken breasts and frozen ones too.

Up to 12 ounces - 10 minutes cook time

Over 10 ounces or using frozen chicken breasts - 15 minute cooking time

How to Make Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken - Step-by-Step

Full printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

STEP 1. Preparation

Combine the salsa and taco seasoning and stir to fully mix (photo 1). 

Pour half of the salsa mixture into the Instant Pot. Spread to lightly cover the insert bottom (photo 2).

Add the chicken breasts side by side (photo 3) and pour the remaining sauce over them (photo 4).

STEP 2. Pressure Cook

Seal the lid and set the vent to SEALING. Set the Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE (Manual setting) for 10 minutes. 

NOTE: if using frozen chicken breasts or very large breasts (12-ounces or more) set the time to 15 minutes instead.

When cooking completes allow a NATURAL RELEASE for 10 minutes. NOTE: the pressure may not take that long to release.

Follow with a Quick Release to relieve any remaining pressure.

Remove the chicken from the pressure cooker and keep the Instant Pot on WARM (default setting after cooking).

STEP 3. Shred the chicken

Use our favorite method to shred chicken (below) or place the chicken on a cutting board and use 2 forks to shred the chicken. Return it to the Instant Pot (photo 6). Turn the meat to fully coat with the sauce.

Best Method to shred chicken

This is a life-changer tip if you haven't done it before. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, place the cooked chicken breasts into the bowl of the stand mixer. Run the mixer on a very low speed just to shred the chicken. High speeds will shred the chicken into very small pieces (usually smaller than you'll want).

It only takes 30-60 seconds. No mess, no fuss. It works for other cooked meats too!

Variation

Boneless skinless chicken thighs can also be used. Adjust the calories accordingly.

Recipe Tips

Coat the chicken with the sauce. After cooking and shredding the chicken putting it back in the Instant Pot and coating it with sauce makes a huge difference. This allows more surface area of the chicken to be coated with the sauce which makes the chicken moister and more flavorful.

Store leftovers with the sauce. Keep the sauce to store with any leftovers or if freezing the chicken.

How to Use the Mexican Shredded Chicken

This delicious recipe will become a favorite especially when you realize how many ways there are to use it! Here are some ideas:

• Any Mexican food recipes: enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, nachos, taquitos
• In soups and salads (great for a Taco Salad)
• In omelets or air fryer frittatas
• Over cauliflower Mexican rice with some black beans, fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, favorite toppings and a drizzle of lime juice (think slimmed down burrito bowls). Use a dollop of non-fat plain Greek yogurt on top of the chicken instead of sour cream.
• On our Black Bean Spaghetti taco pasta

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing Leftovers

In the Refrigerator:

Store in an airtight container with the cooking liquids for up to 4 days.

In the Freezer:

Add the chicken and cooking liquids to a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave. Consider freezing in single portion servings for easy use for emergency dinner rotation!

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