Why Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot?
Because it really couldn’t be easier! You just toss all the ingredients in and let the Instant Pot do all the work. Plus, the chicken comes out perfectly shreddable every time. Boiling chicken makes the chicken flavorless. Baking the chicken before shredding makes the chicken too dry. Making shredded chicken in the Instant Pot is fast, efficient, and gives you flavorful, tender shreds of chicken.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
An Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) – Anything 6 quart or bigger will work greatChicken – Fresh chicken will work best. If you want to use frozen chicken, add 10 minutes to the cooking timeButter – This helps keep the chicken juicy and tender while it is cooking. Broth – Broth is needed both to keep the chicken from burning and also for the chicken to soak up after shredding.Seasonings – You can really season this recipe any way you would like depending on the dish you are making. Some more ideas can be found below.
Seasoning the Chicken
This chicken can be seasoned so many different ways depending on what you are using it for. Use these seasonings instead of the seasoning blend and salt mentioned in the recipe.
Mexican shredded chicken: Add 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning. Great with Chicken Tacos!Chili lime chicken: Juice of 1 lime + ½ teaspoon chili powder + ½ teaspoon cumin (or to taste). Try it with Chicken Taco Salad.Honey lime chicken: ⅓ cup honey + juice of 1 lime. Use for Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas.Shredded BBQ chicken: Add 1-2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce for pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches or over BBQ chicken salad. Ranch chicken: Add 2 tablespoons Hidden Valley dry Ranch Dressing Mix. So good over pasta with Alfredo Sauce!
Tips for Making Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot
Let the Instant Pot natural release for 10 minutes before flipping the valve. This will give the chicken time to tenderize after cooking.Don’t throw away excess juices. If you end up with a lot of extra juices after cooking, store any leftover chicken in the juices or add as more flavoring to soups. Add more time if using frozen chicken. At least 10 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. Remember to always check for doneness. Chicken is fully cooked at 165 degrees F. Use a digital read meat thermometer on the thickest part of the meat to check internal temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Read Next: The Best Instant Pot Recipes
Recipes Using Shredded Chicken
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Lasagna with Bacon
Chicken Flautas
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
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