Shredded Chicken For Tacos (Instant Pot)

Shredded chicken for tacos in the Instant Pot is made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal cooking time. In no time at all, you can have juicy and flavorful chicken that’s perfect for stuffing into tortillas and topping with all your favorite fixings.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this shredded chicken recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So grab your Instant Pot, and let’s get cooking!

Turn your regular taco Tuesday into a fiesta with this shredded chicken recipe paired with Chipotle Copycat Rice with Instant Pot Queso on the side.

How to cook shredded chicken in the Instant Pot

My easy recipe for shredded chicken tacos is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that you’ll be so glad you tried. Because it’s made in the Instant Pot, you can easily pour everything in, cook it on high pressure for 10 minutes, and be enjoying shredded chicken for tacos in less than 20 minutes. Keep reading for the complete instructions.

What are the best toppings for chicken tacos?

Around my house, we have a deep love for Tex-Mex, especially chicken tacos. They’re flavorful and have less fat than ground beef. Plus, I think many taco toppings taste even better with chicken than beef. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Cheese – shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey jack are our go-tos
• Salsa or taco sauce
• Guacamole
• Roasted corn
• Sour cream or crema
• Lettuce, tomato, and onion
• Black beans
• Cilantro rice
• Jalapenos

Of course, you can use corn tortillas, but with chicken tacos, we seem to gravitate towards soft flour tortilla shells.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! In our house, we make this recipe gluten-free every time. Use gluten-free flour tortillas as well as gluten-free taco seasoning. Most stock is gluten-free, but verify that your chicken stock or broth doesn’t contain flour or another ingrediet that contains gluten.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• 14.4 ounces green chilies and lime diced tomatoes
• 1.25 ounce packet taco seasoning
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• tortillas for serving

How to Make

STEP ONE: Add ingredients to the instant pot. Add all ingredients into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Cover and make sure it’s set to sealing.

STEP TWO: Cook. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Do a natural release for 5 minutes then release the rest of the pressure. Shred the chicken.

STEP THREE: Serve. Serve with flour or corn tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

Tips and Recipe Notes

• The chicken finishes cooking during the natural release, so allow your Instant Pot to release the pressure for the full time.
• For spicier tacos, use spicy taco seasoning or add a touch of chili and cayenne powder.

How to Easily Shred Chicken

You can shred chicken using two forks if you prefer. If you’d like, you can also quickly shred your chicken using your hand mixer or KitchenAid.

To spare your hands and save a lot of time, remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and place it in a large mixing bowl. Use a knife to cut each cooked chicken breast into 3 large pieces. Place your hand mixer into the chicken and turn it on low. Slowly increase the speed and move it through the cooked chicken. In less than 20 seconds, your chicken should be fully shredded.

How to Store Leftover Shredded Taco Chicken

Shredded chicken for tacos will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Place it in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container. You can also freeze your leftovers for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place it on the stovetop in a saucepan until it’s hot or use the microwave.

How to Use Leftover Shredded Chicken for Tacos

If you have leftover chicken, you can use it to make all kinds of yummy meals. Of course, you can make tacos again, but here are some other ideas:

• Taco salad
• Chicken burritos
• Chicken and rice bowl
• Chicken quesadillas
• Chicken wraps
• Chicken taco soup

FAQs