Instant pot chicken tacos come together in just 20 minutes! I use this instant pot shredded chicken for tacos, burrito bowls, and any other application where saucy, spicy Mexican shredded chicken is needed--made in just 20 minutes!
Oh, hi; it's me again with another taco recipe. I just can't help myself lately--tacos are such a quick dinner for us when we spend a little too much time by the pool. I keep saying we'll be home by 5:30 to give myself 30 blessed minutes to make dinner, but I find myself dragging home around 6:30. Then, everyone is hungry and I'm scrambling in the kitchen.
It usually goes a little something like this: I toss the chicken in my instant pot, pop Camille in the bath, and my husband starts cooking the tortillas. Whoever finishes first starts prepping the other taco ingredients.
I use the Instant Pot mini because I cook for two, but this recipe works well doubled in the larger one!
Side note: I've never had blonde hair in my life, and suddenly I can't keep Camille's precious baby blonde hair from turning green in the chlorine pool water--anyone have advice for this?
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos:
Ok, back to tacos: I use this instant pot shredded chicken in tortillas to make tacos quite frequently. However, I also use it in burrito bowls, too. Just make a bowl of rice, add a scoop of black beans, a scoop of this saucy shredded chicken, and whatever else you like on your burrito bowl! It's versatile enough for rolling in tortillas for chicken enchiladas too, ok? Speaking of, it's great in my Instant Pot Taco soup, too!
The ingredients are so simple: boneless skinless chicken breast, salsa, chicken broth (or water), salt, cumin, and cilantro for serving. I nearly always have these ingredients in my house, so I can make these instant pot chicken tacos weekly.
You can absolutely use chicken broth or water here, and you can use 4 chicken thighs instead of 2 chicken breasts. When it comes to the salsa, make sure you're using a watery one. If the salsa is too thick, it lacks moisture and you might get a burn warning in your instant pot! This happens with my Instant Pot Salsa Chicken to a few people, but once they switch to Pace or the glass jar of Trader Joe's salsa, it provides enough moisture.
Ways to use instant pot chicken breast recipes:
-wrap the shredded chicken in a warm tortilla and top with your favorite taco toppings
-pile over a bowl of rice and black beans, add a scoop of guacamole and shredded cheese for a burrito bowl
-wrap in flour tortillas to make my Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
-spread between tortillas, top with cheese and make quesadillas
-use this chicken as a meal prep ingredient
-you can even use it as homemade chicken baby food (just omit the salt and use low-salt broth)
When given the chance, we nearly always make instant pot chicken tacos with this meat, though. If you have a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (I have the KitchenAid mini mixer), you can use it to shred chicken in seconds! Just fit the paddle attachment onto the mixer, add the chicken to the bowl (without the juices), and turn it on low for about 10 seconds. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can shred the meat with two forks.
Sinking your teeth into a soft chicken taco topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream after a long day by the pool is heavenly.
Other Mexican-inspired recipes: vegan Mexican black bean burrito bowls are the vegan version of this flavorful meal. If you lack an instant pot, try my ground beef for tacos made in a skillet!
I use the Instant Pot Mini 3-quart to make this recipe, but feel free to double it and make it in the 6-quart model.
Don't miss all of my instant pot mini recipes on my site!
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Instant pot chicken tacos are so simple to make. Saucy, juicy chicken in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (with rib meat)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In the bottom of an Instant Pot Mini (3 quart model), combine the salsa, chicken broth, cumin, salt and olive. Stir together very well.
- Nestle the chicken in the mixture.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and turn the valve to 'SEALING'. Press 'PRESSURE COOK.' Toggle to HIGH pressure, and then add 15 minutes. The instant pot should start automatically after a few seconds.
- When the timer is done, use a wooden spoon to open the valve and do a forced pressure release.
- Open the lid once the valve drops, and shred the chicken. You can place the chicken without the juices in a stand mixer for 10 seconds to shred the meat, or you can use two forks. Place the chicken back in the juices, stir in the chopped cilantro, and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 173Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 664mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 21g
RossC says
Great idea for tacos.. I will do this. :O)
For chicken enchiladas in red sauce I do the same except, I add my enchilada sauce ingredients to the IP and make sauce while the chicken cooks.. Works great..
Melissa says
Use a clarifying shampoo on Camille’s hair. It should stop the chlorine from turning her hair green
Christina Lane says
Thanks so much for this tip! We're off to get some!
Laura Macka says
Honestly it’s not the Chlorine turning her hair green, not trying to be nosy or anything. Water chemistry, specifically in swimming pools/spas (commercial and residential), and more specifically in problem pools. Any who...the green tinting in the hair is actually related to a copper content in the pool. The reaction with blonde and a higher than normal copper residual in swimming pools will almost always cause a green hue. Copper is the best algaestat on the market, and are prominent in most quality algaecides that pool professionals sale/use. In fact it works as such a fabulous algae prohibitor there are actually copper ionizer sanitation systems, used in conjunction with chlorine tabs every three days or so. Another great place to find a copper buildup in your water chemistry is salt chlorination systems, a lot have copper ionizers inside the salt cells, and as the salt eventually wears the cell down the copper, which is a super soft metal, and you’re left with the residual. The only thing that gets rid of a copper residual would be a metal remover, but he very careful your ph is well within range if you take this route. The other side effect copper leaves us with us staining. If your not ph bottoms out, copper comes out of suspension and attaches to all available surfaces. This is the cause for dingy looming faceplates and stairs, or even darker staining at water lines, etc. Sorry for the long winded explanation...just wanted to help!
Christina Lane says
I am loving this super detailed chemical explanation of what's going on--thank you! It's definitely the science nerd in me--thank you :)
R M says
Hi Christina! Love your web "presence" - insta, blog, emails, etc.
Where did you get the lucious-looking soft taco shells in the photo? Can't wait to make the IP chicken tacos.
Thank You!!
Christina Lane says
Aww thank you! I just replied to someone else asking this same thing--TortillaLand tortillas that are 'cook and serve.' My Walmart has them :)
Rochelle says
Many thanks!
Bridget says
Are these tortillas a homemade recipe or a store-bought brand? The tacos look amazing.
Christina Lane says
They're those tortillas in the refrigerated section that you have to cook. Have you seen those? They're called 'TortillaLand,' and they only have 5 simple ingredients. You brown them in a skillet. Try searching for 'cook and serve tortillas.' My Walmart has them!
Bridget says
Thanks so much for the reply! I'll look for that brand. Your blog has been inspiring my cooking for 3 years and I love seeing new recipes :)
Dierdre says
Making this dinner tonight! As for Camille's hair - look for Ultra Swim shampoo and conditioner. Worked for me and my friends when we were much younger!
Angela A Moy says
L'Oreal makes a kid's Swim and Sport Shampoo, that is supposed to help with preventing the green look. And, if memory serves me right, it smells heavenly. (my babies are in their 20's now!!!)
JS. Rocky Whist says
Delicious looking. Tonight I will make my dinner with this. Hope it will be tasty to eat too.
Laura Boden says
This might be a silly question but if you’re doubling the recipe to make them in a 6 quart instant pot would you adjust the cooking time at all? Thanks!
Christina Lane says
Ok, so I haven't tried it, but my friend Rachel did and she said it worked great!
Teresa says
If you get her hair wet from water from a sink or tub that doesn't have the chlorine in it before she gets in the pool that will help with the green. It's also much easier on your own hair.
Caroline Shaw says
I realized the two chicken breasts I bought are pretty large - does the cook time change? For reference, both together are 1.4 pounds - did not think to read that lol
Christina Lane says
You’re probably good...add 2 minutes to the cooking time, just in case? Good luck!