By Becky Hardin
Published Apr 24, 2023
Flavorful Instant Pot Chicken Tacos are a delicious and easy weeknight meal my whole family loves. With a short list of simple ingredients and the magic of a pressure cooker, it’s easy to have juicy, tender, and spicy shredded chicken tacos on the table in under 30 minutes. They’re also perfect for Taco Tuesday or a Cinco de Mayo dinner !
What’s in Pressure Cooker Chicken Tacos?
The chicken broth, homemade salsa, and spices in the Instant Pot make the chicken incredibly juicy, tender, and flavorful with minimal effort.
- Chicken Breasts: Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are best when making shredded chicken for tacos. But you can also use boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat.
- Spices : Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt season the chicken breasts.
- Salsa: A good salsa is the start of the most flavorful sauce for these Instant Pot chicken tacos. I like to use my easy blender salsa , but you can make any type you like, or use your favorite jar of salsa from the store.
- Chicken Broth: While you can always buy premade broth at the store, homemade low-sodium chicken broth is easy to make and tastes even better.
- Tortillas : I like soft and pliable flour tortillas, but you are welcome to use corn tortillas.
Variations on Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
These instant pot chicken tacos are endlessly riffable! You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts, swap the spices for store-bought or homemade taco seasoning , and swap the salsa for a hotter or milder salsa to adjust the spice level. Try using salsa verde for a fresh take!
Absolutely! Breast or thighs both work great when making shredded chicken for tacos. Whichever you choose, I recommend using boneless, because bone-in options will require longer cooking times.
You can cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot, but you’ll need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time (usually 3-4 minutes).
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, this Crockpot shredded chicken is another easy option.
Luckily, this recipe is foolproof when it comes to fully cooking chicken, so you don’t really have to worry about that. But it’s always a good idea to make sure chicken has reached 165°F before eating it.
This recipe uses salsa and chili powder, which creates a mildly spicy flavor. You can use more or less chili powder and a hotter or milder salsa to adjust the spice level.
How to Store and Reheat Instant Pot Taco Meat
Store leftover instant pot chicken taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze Instant Pot Chicken for Tacos
Freeze instant pot shredded chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Tacos
When it comes time to serve the tacos, set out bowls of sour cream, sliced ripe avocados, lime wedges, the best guacamole ever, pico de Gallo , and more fresh homemade salsa .
If you want to add more sides to complete the meal, consider Crockpot Red Beans and Rice or Mexican grilled corn on the cob .
You can also use the chicken to make chicken burrito bowls , chicken nachos , or your other favorite Mexican chicken recipes.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 16 ounces salsa store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- ▢ ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 8 corn tortillas or flour tortillas, for serving
- ▢ Taco fixings lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, etc.
Video
Instructions
- Combine the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small dish. 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Rub the seasoning over the chicken breasts. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
- Pour the salsa and chicken broth over the chicken. 16 ounces salsa, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Press the Manual button and set the timer for 20 minutes.
- When the timer is up, release the pressure manually or naturally.
- Shred the chicken.
- Serve the chicken in tortillas or taco shells, and the load the tacos with all of your favorite fixings. 8 corn tortillas, Taco fixings
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Rub seasoning into the chicken to make sure it’s fully, evenly seasoned.
- Try to arrange chicken in an even layer in the Instant Pot, instead of stacking it.
- Be sure to use enough liquid–don’t skimp! You can use water or another liquid instead of chicken stock, but the stock will add so much flavor.
- Nutritional information does not include taco fixings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Chicken Taco Recipes We Love
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Tinga Taco
- Grilled Chicken Tacos
- Crispy Chicken Tacos
- Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Taco Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 16 ounces salsa store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 corn tortillas or flour tortillas, for serving
- Taco fixings lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, etc.
Instructions
- Combine the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small dish. 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Rub the seasoning over the chicken breasts. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
- Pour the salsa and chicken broth over the chicken. 16 ounces salsa, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Press the Manual button and set the timer for 20 minutes.
- When the timer is up, release the pressure manually or naturally.
- Shred the chicken.
- Serve the chicken in tortillas or taco shells, and the load the tacos with all of your favorite fixings. 8 corn tortillas, Taco fixings
Video
Notes
- Rub seasoning into the chicken to make sure it’s fully, evenly seasoned.
- Try to arrange chicken in an even layer in the Instant Pot, instead of stacking it.
- Be sure to use enough liquid–don’t skimp! You can use water or another liquid instead of chicken stock, but the stock will add so much flavor.
- Nutritional information does not include taco fixings.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
