Instant Pot Chicken

This Instant Pot Chicken is such an easy and delicious way to make shredded chicken. With only five minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the pressure cooker, this Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is perfect.

Overhead view of Instant Pot Chicken shredded in an instant pot - 3

Whether you are making a recipe that calls for cooked chicken or you are meal prepping, making the shredded chicken in the Instant Pot is the perfect solution. It is quick, and the chicken turns out moist and tender every time. From start to finish, this recipe is less than 25 minutes.

Overhead view of two raw seasoned chicken breasts on a cutting board for Instant Pot Chicken recipe. - 4

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken

This Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe could not be more simple. Here is a brief overview of how it comes together, but be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all measurements.

Season your chicken. Season your chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Prepare your Instant Pot. Add water to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Then insert the trivet (the wire rack) that came with your Instant Pot.
Place the chicken on top. Close the instant pot and make sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing.
Pressure cook the chicken. Set the Instant Pot to manual and for 8 minutes. Allow it to come to pressure and then it will begin to count down.
Release the pressure. When the time is up, manually release the pressure. When the float valve drops, open your Instant Pot and shred your cooked. Enjoy!

Instant Pot

You of course can shred the chicken with two forks. I recommend doing this while the chicken is still warm, but has cooled enough to handle.rnrnThat being said, I love shredding chicken in my stand mixer with the paddle attachment. It is two more dishes to wash at the end of the night, but it is so simple.

Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot

You can very easily grab a frozen chicken breast out of the freezer and pop it in the Instant Pot. The only thing that changes is the timing and the seasoning.

Skip the oil, salt, and pepper and just season the chicken after cooking however you like.
Increase the time from 8 minutes to 15.
Do everything else exactly the same.

Storing and Freezing Cooked Chicken

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. I also love to freeze cooked chicken for easy weeknight meals! Please note that if you used frozen chicken breasts to make your shredded chickening the instant pot you will want to use it and skip freezing it a second time.

Freezing Cooked Chicken

Plate of shredded Instant Pot Chicken recipe with forks. Seasonings and instant pot beside. - 7

Recipes to Use Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Chicken Salad (I also have some great variations: BLT Chicken Salad , Curry Chicken Salad , and Pesto Chicken Salad )
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken Taquitos
Chicken Stuffed Peppers

If you make this recipe for Instant Pot chicken or any of my other recipes, I’d be so grateful if you came back and told me!

Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
Newsletter

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt
black pepper
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts see note (453.6 grams)
1 cup water

Instructions

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Add the water to the bottom of the Instant Pot. 1 cup water
Add the trivet (the wire rack) that came with your Instant Pot. Place the chicken breasts on top of it.
Put on the Instant Pot lid and make sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, and the timer to 8 minutes. For frozen chicken breasts, set the time to 15 minutes.
The Instant Pot will take about 8 minutes to come to pressure, then it will count down the 8 minutes cook time.
After the timer ends, turn the pressure release valve to venting. This quick release (rather than a natural release) will prevent the chicken from over cooking. Allow the float valve to fall. Once it has, open your Instant Pot, remove your chicken. Chicken is fully cooked when it reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer . Shred the chicken and use it in your favorite recipes.

Notes

Overhead view of Instant Pot Chicken shredded in an instant pot - 8

did you make this