This easy Instant Pot Chicken Tacos uses shredded chicken and taco seasoning for a delicious and quick meal. Place chicken in taco shells or for a low-carb option, create a taco bowl. Taco Tuesday will never look the same again.
ALSO, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST INSTANT POT RECIPE!
We are constantly looking for good recipes for chicken breasts to use in our pressure cooker. The Instant Pot has become a staple in our home and we use it at least 3-4 times a week. It is so nice for families because it is a one pot cleanup and I can leave it and finish doing something else. It is really nice for those busy nights where we are doing a billion things.
These Instant Pot Chicken Tacos are a favorite in our home. The kids absolutely love them and they are so simple to make.
Related Posts: Instant Pot Crack Chicken, Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls, Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Some of our most popular recipes here on A Mom’s Impression have been our Chicken Instant Pot recipes. I don’t know about you but I always end up purchasing the big family pack size of chicken breasts on sale at the store so it seems like we constantly have it in our fridge or freezer. It is so nice to just take it out and make shredded chicken in our pressure cooker or Instant Pot taco chicken for the week.
How do you make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot?
My husband and I love to have shredded chicken on hand during the week. We put it on salads, use it for a quick chicken quesadilla, or to make soups. It is really nice to have it sitting there in the fridge. We usually make it on Sunday while we are meal prepping for the week. Our favorite way to make shredded chicken is using our pressure cooker.
Once you realize how easy it is to make shredded chicken you will be doing it all the time as we do. Basically, you are going to put a cup of water into your pressure cooker and add your chicken breasts. You can do this for both fresh or frozen chicken. You can use a trivet, but I find it much easier and less to clean if I just simply place the chicken into the bottom of the pot with the water. Then you push the poultry button if you have one, or set your pressure cooker for manual high for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally and then shred your chicken. It is that easy!
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
1 cup water
2-4 chicken breasts
1 packet, 1 oz, taco seasoning
taco shells and your favorite taco toppings
Directions:
Place 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.
Place chicken in the pressure cooker. Place the lid on the instant pot and seal shut. Close the pressure release valve. Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 10 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally and open the Instant Pot. Remove chicken. Carefully reserve 1/2 cup of water/drippings and discard the rest. Return 1 breast at a time to the pot and shred with two forks. Continue until all chicken is shredded.
Sprinkle with taco seasoning and add reserved water/drippings. Stir to mix well and set the pot to saute. Cook just until chicken is heated.
Serve on taco shells with your favorite toppings.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2-4 chicken breasts about 1 pound
- 1 packet 1 oz, taco seasoning
- taco shells and your favorite taco toppings
Instructions
- Place 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.
- Place chicken in the pressure cooker. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal shut. Close the pressure release valve. Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally and then open the Instant Pot. Remove the chicken. Carefully reserve 1/2 cup of water/drippings and discard the rest.
- Return 1 breast at a time to the pot and shred with two forks. Continue until all chicken is shredded.
- Sprinkle with taco seasoning and add reserved water/drippings. Stir to mix well and set the pot to saute. Add the chicken back into the pot and cook just until chicken is heated.
- Place chicken into taco shells and top with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Beverly says
I LOVE this recipe! So easy and delicious! It is our new favorite way to make chicken tacos!
Question: if doubling the recipe would I change the amount of cook time?
Mom says
I am so happy your family loved this! No need to change the cook time, it just make take a little longer to come to pressure.
Julie says
I am looking forward to make this tonight for the first time! Can you use frozen chicken breasts by any chance?
Mom says
Yes of course, just add a couple of extra minutes to the cook time.
Sarah says
Do you use the trivet or just place the chicken right in the pot??
Mom says
I place the chicken right in the pot.
Pam says
Hi am planning on making this tonight! Would it be okay to add taco seasoning while chicken cooks?
Mom says
Yes, I have done it that way.
Joey says
Is Manuel and custom the same when it comes to inta pots?
Mom says
Yes, they are interchangable.
Denise says
Look yummy if I add rotel tomato’s does it change the cooking time or just add it with the taco seasoning and sautee ??
Mom says
That sounds like a great addition. The cooking time would remain the same.
Rachel says
What is the approximate weight of the 2 – 4 chicken breasts? Is this recipe for about a pound?
Mom says
Yes, 1 pound of chicken breasts. I will update the recipe. Thank you!
Tana says
New to instant pots as well. If I double the recipe, do I double the liquid?
Mom says
Yes, you will need to double the liquid for this one.
Nicole says
Instead of adding water can you add a jar of salsa instead? That’s what I do in my slow cooker but I’m new to instant pots.
Mom says
You just need a cup of liquid for the pressure cooker to come to pressure. With the seasoning I would reccommend adding at least a little bit of water. You could do 1/2 cup salsa and 1/2 cup water.
Erika Besel says
For more flavor could we use a cup of
Chicken broth instead of a cup of water?
Mom says
Absolutely! I like this idea!
Kelly says
25 glorious recipes… this one *might* work.. what do you call it when your kid is pickier than picky eaters?
Elizabeth says
So delicious & so easy!!! 10/10.
Mom says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for your feedback!
Jordan Ferrara says
How long do you naturally release for?
Mom says
Until the release value closes naturally.
Josh says
How long does it normally take for frozen chicken?
Mom says
I increase the time to 12 minutes for frozen.
Beth says
Excellent! I’ve made twice and it’s delicious!
Mom says
I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe! Easy tacos are my favorite.
Candice says
What should I do with the time if I am doing 3 lbs
Mom says
The cooking time will be the same, the time it takes to come to pressure will probably take longer.
R says
Is there any difference in using frozen versus thawed chicken?
Mom says
No, the only difference is that it will take longer for the pressure cooker to come to pressure.
Kathy says
Are you shredding the chicken inside the pot? When you mention heating the pot up on sauté, then adding back the chicken, I was a bit confused. Thanks!
Mom says
No, I am shredding the chicken outside the pot.
Angie says
I found if you use your hand mixer to shred the chicken it comes out great. And it work faster.
Mom says
Great suggestion! Thanks so much!
Jess says
I doubled the recipe (a little over 2 pounds) and used 1 cup of salsa and 1 cup of water to add a little more flavor. After the 10 minute cook time was up I pulled the chicken out to shred it and noticed it was just a bit undercooked (I’m also very particular about cooking chicken). I shredded all of it then put it back in the cooker for 5 minutes. After the additional cooking, it was perfect! I then drained the liquid except for 1 cup and added 8tbsp of taco seasoning. My toddler was all over it! If you are doubling the recipe and like your chicken a little more done, I would recommend adding some extra cook time.
Mom says
Great info. Thanks!
Emily Denney says
I have a similar crock pot recipe but you use salsa instead of water. Would that still work? Much more flavor.
Lucy says
Love this make it all the time. Can you freeze leftovers and if so how long can you keep it in the freezer
Debbie says
I want to make this for 10 people. How much chicken & liquid would I need? Also, would I increase the cooking time? Thank you!