Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- PREP 5min
- COOK 15min
- TOTAL 20min
We love this Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe made with a creamy salsa verde sauce. The Instant Pot is a programmable pressure cooker, but if you don’t have one, you can easily adapt this recipe for any standard pressure cooker. For a stovetop version, see this easy shredded chicken recipe, or to make it in a slow cooker, see this crockpot shredded chicken.
You Will Need
2 cups green enchilada sauce or Mexican salsa verde, try our homemade salsa verde
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
½ cup sour cream
Handful of fresh chopped cilantro
Salt, to taste
Directions
1Add chicken and sauce: Pour the enchilada sauce or salsa verde into the Instant Pot. Nestle the chicken into the sauce, then secure the lid.
2Pressure cook: Select the Pressure Cook or Manual function and set the timer for 8 minutes on high pressure. The timer won’t start until the pot reaches full pressure, which can take a few minutes.
3Release pressure: When the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully use the quick-release valve to vent any remaining pressure.
4Shred and finish: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred it with two forks. Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce along with the sour cream and cilantro. Taste and season with salt. Enjoy over rice or grains, or use as a filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: Keep chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or over medium-low heat in a saucepan.
- Sauce: We love making our roasted tomatillo salsa verde, but when we don’t have time to make it, store-bought works beautifully. Our favorite brands are Frontera by Rick Bayless and Hatch.
- Canned sauce: If you’re using canned salsa, you’ll get about 1 ⅔ cups per can. No need to open a second one, just top it off to the 2-cup line with a little water or broth.
- Chicken underdone: If you notice the chicken isn’t fully cooked when you remove it, switch the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and simmer for a few minutes until it’s cooked through.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.