By Becky Hardin
Updated Nov 11, 2025
I absolutely love this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken as it’s the easiest and most versatile recipe I make. The chicken turns out juicy and flavorful, and ideal for meal prep, as I can use it in so many different recipes. It’s a great staple to have on hand to make weeknight meals that much easier. I add this shredded chicken to tacos, soups, casseroles, salads, and so much more!
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Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
I’m a big fan of easy recipes, and this instant pot shredded chicken is by far one of the easiest! You just need chicken, a few seasonings, and your pressure cooker, plus a few minutes to cook.
Once I’ve got this shredded chicken in the fridge, weeknight dinners are a breeze. It’s the ultimate meal prep helper—ready to toss into tacos, casseroles, pasta, or even a quick salad when I need an easy, nourishing meal fast.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ ¼ cup salsa
- ▢ 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), thighs also work
- ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- ▢ 1 jalapeño and/or chipotle in adobo diced (optional)
Video
Instructions
- To the Instant Pot, add the chicken stock and salsa and mix to combine. ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ¼ cup salsa
- Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle over the taco seasoning. Rub the taco seasoning into the meat so the chicken is fully covered. 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot in an even layer.
- Add the diced jalapeño and/or chipotle pepper over the chicken, if using. 1 jalapeño and/or chipotle in adobo
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook-Manual for 12 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, release any additional pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. But it’s always a good idea to make sure chicken has reached 165°F before eating it.
- Shred the chicken and serve as desired—in tacos, on nachos, or in a salad!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Step by Step
Add the liquid to the Instant Pot : To the Instant Pot, add ½ cup of chicken stock and ¼ cup of salsa and mix to combine.
Season the chicken : Drizzle the chicken breasts with 1 tbsp of olive oil and rub with 2 tbsp of taco seasoning.
Prepare the chicken : Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot in an even layer.
Add 1 diced jalapeño and/or chipotle pepper and scatter over the chicken, if using.
Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook-Manual for 12 minutes.
Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, release any additional pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position.
Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and shred.
Serve : Serve as desired.
Recipe Variations
I added salsa and taco seasoning to this chicken before shredding it for a delicious, slightly spicy flavor. However, you can use any combination of spices or seasonings you like:
- Make BBQ pulled chicken by adding your favorite BBQ sauce
- Use Italian seasoning to create something herby and flavorful for pasta
- Try Creole seasoning or blackened seasoning for a fun kick
How to Store
Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold or reheated in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
To freeze instant pot shredded chicken, portion the shredded chicken into one large or several small Ziplock bags, seal, then press the chicken into a flat, even layer. Lay in the freezer until solid, then store for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot shredded chicken is so versatile and can be used in so many different shredded chicken recipes . That’s why I like making a batch of it when meal prepping, so I can use it in any dinner I might want for the week.
Because of the Mexican-inspired seasoning, I’ll use this shredded chicken to make tacos , throw it on top of nachos , or stuff it into enchiladas . It’s also great to use in chicken taco soup or creamy white chicken chili .
more Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), thighs also work
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 jalapeño and/or chipotle in adobo diced (optional)
Instructions
- To the Instant Pot, add the chicken stock and salsa and mix to combine. ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ¼ cup salsa
- Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle over the taco seasoning. Rub the taco seasoning into the meat so the chicken is fully covered. 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot in an even layer.
- Add the diced jalapeño and/or chipotle pepper over the chicken, if using. 1 jalapeño and/or chipotle in adobo
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook-Manual for 12 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, release any additional pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. But it’s always a good idea to make sure chicken has reached 165°F before eating it.
- Shred the chicken and serve as desired—in tacos, on nachos, or in a salad!
Video
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
