Over the years we have built an amazing group of recipe testers - our friends and family! I am so grateful for them because they keep me on my toes - and make sure our quality control is top-notch! So when I sent this Instant Pot shredded chicken taco recipe over to one of my top testers, I thought I knew what to expect. Boy, was I wrong!
This Instant Pot shredded chicken taco recipe was tested by our friend Jenny who tells it like she sees it. When she first read the recipe, she immediately called me out! Why? Well, I’ll get to that later.
You should know though, that one taste of this shredded chicken taco changed Jenny’s tune - and she might have even said it’s her new favorite. I know! Can you believe it?
This is a Quick and Easy Chicken Recipe!
Let's talk first about what's in this 2-ingredient chicken recipe! Well, it is pretty simple, really... boneless, skinless chicken breasts and 1 cup of red enchilada sauce! Yep, that is it! I do use a few pantry staples like salt, pepper, and olive oil, but those don't even really count as ingredients, do they?
What are the ingredients in enchilada sauce?
What I love about this recipe is that it harnesses the #pantrypower of a can of enchilada sauce! Red enchilada sauce is a thick sauce that is made up of chili powder simmered in a sultry broth with garlic, onion, tomato paste/sauce and thickened with either flour or cornstarch. Enchilada sauce is a flavor bomb for your taste buds and hands down the easiest way to get dinner on the table!
Are all brands of enchilada sauce gluten free?
Unfortunately, no! Many enchilada sauces may contain wheat or malt as a thickening ingredient, but there are quite a few household brands that boast naturally gluten free enchilada sauce, so it is key to read the labels when shopping. Alternatively, if you aren't in a time crunch or you are just feeling EXTRA, you can make your own homemade enchilada sauce! It is actually a pretty quick process and even more delicious than using store bought, canned enchilada sauce.
The Basic Nuts and Bolts of Chicken Recipes
Are you curious why Jenny was so irritated at me when she first read this recipe?!
Well, it is twofold, really. But before I get to that, you need to know that Jenny is my most practical recipe tester, which I really appreciate! She's a real-deal mom of two very busy, hungry boys, and she always keeps me on my toes when it comes to creating delicious recipes that work for today's modern family.
First, she was really frustrated that I only used 1 cup out of an entire can of enchilada sauce. Why didn't I just use the whole darn can!? As far as Jenny is concerned, storing the extra enchilada sauce is a tad bit annoying and downright wasteful. Touché, Jenny touché! So, I set out to find delicious ways to use up that extra enchilada sauce.
What can I do with the extra enchilada sauce?
The easiest and most delicious way to use up that extra sauce is to make my Easy Tex Mex inspired canned black bean recipe. Since my husband is a vegetarian, I always have to consider him when making meaty main dishes. These beans are the perfect side dish for the Instant Pot shredded chicken taco recipe (and can become an awesome main dish for him).
Simply add any enchilada sauce remaining in the can to a small pot along with drained and rinsed canned black beans. Simmer for 7-10 minutes to let the flavors mingle, then serve. I know this might sound so simple that it’s a little ridiculous - but I’m telling you - TRY IT.
I have to say that Jenny has me on a roll with this leftover enchilada sauce thing. I’ve got a couple more ideas in the final stages of recipe testing (with you-know-who), so when they’re done, I’ll update this post for you. I promise, when I’m done with this Jenny-challenge, you will have zero problems using up the rest of that can!
How Do You Shred Chicken?
Oh yeah, I almost forgot that there was a part-two to Jenny’s fury. She was also frustrated because I instructed you to shred the chicken with 2 forks, which is annoying (and “takes just about forever”). Jenny uses her stand mixer to shred chicken. She says it is way easier and faster with minimal cleanup. I have to admit, it was kind of genius.
So, I did some research, tested all the ways to shred chicken, and have gone into lots of detail below. Happy shredding, however you choose to do it!
How to Make this Shredded Mexican Chicken recipe in an Instant Pot
Step 1:
Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of an Instant Pot. Drizzle with half the oil and season with half the salt and pepper. Flip the chicken and repeat with the remaining olive oil, salt and pepper.
Step 2:
Pour 1 cup of red enchilada sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot.
Step 3:
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the knob to "Sealing". Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
As soon as the cooking time has expired, cancel the warming function, then cover the steam nozzle with a kitchen towel and carefully flip the knob to release the steam manually.
Step 4:
Once the steam has escaped and the lid is open, check to be sure the temperature of the largest chicken breast reads 165°F, then shred the chicken using two forks. Once shredded, coat the chicken completely with the cooking liquids. Alternatively, you can shred the chicken with a mixer. See below for details!
How long should I cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?
For boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breasts, see below: (Fresh) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 8 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 10-ounce boneless chicken breasts (Fresh) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 12 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
- Based on 10-ounce boneless chicken breasts (Frozen)
What to do if the chicken breast isn’t done at the end of the cooking time?
- If your chicken doesn’t read 165° F on an instant-read thermometer when you open up the Instant Pot, but is pretty close (around 160° F), close the lid and let it rest for another 5 minutes before checking the temperature again. This rest is often exactly what you need to get the chicken up to a safe temperature.
- If it’s still not done, you can recover the Instant Pot and set for an additional 2 minutes of pressure (manual) cook time.
- Last, if you prefer, you can finish cooking the chicken in a 350° F oven.
What is the easiest way to shred chicken?
Believe it or not, the easiest way to shred chicken is with your mixer! Either a stand mixer or a regular old handheld mixer will work.
How To Shred Chicken With a Mixer:
Simply place the chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl if using a hand held mixer.
To shred using a stand mixer simply turn the speed to "stir" and watch as the paddle shreds the chicken to the desired consistency. To use a hand mixer fitted with with two whisk attachments, blend the chicken on the lowest setting, gradually increasing speed if necessary. Blend until all of the chicken is shredded.
How To Shred Chicken By Hand:
No mixer? No problem. You can also shred the chicken with two forks (as called for in the recipe). You can either leave the cooked chicken in the bowl of the Instant Pot for this or you can transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Securely, hold the chicken breast in place with one fork then use a second fork or your fingers to pull at the chicken and it will shred off in small pieces.
Can you make this recipe without shredding chicken?
Yes! Instead of shredding the chicken, you can simply slice or dice it then toss it back into the cooking liquid. The texture is different, but the taste is still 100% delicious!
I have another delicious Shredded Chicken recipe for your weekly meal plan too!
Easy Oven Baked Salsa Chicken 2-WAYS
This is our go-to super easy and affordable salsa chicken recipe and it has instructions for baking in the oven or cooking in the Instant Pot!
This shredded chicken recipe takes on the flavor of whatever type of salsa you cook it in, so feel free to swap up the flavor notes and play around with the end result!
If you’ve made this shredded chicken taco recipe I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below!
PrintInstant Pot Shredded Chicken Taco
Don’t forget to rate the recipe with a STAR rating and let me know what you think about this shredded chicken taco recipe in the comments below. I just love hearing from you. Your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 cup red enchilada sauce
Instructions
-
Place the chicken breasts into the Instant Pot. Drizzle with half the olive oil, and sprinkle with half of the salt, and pepper. Flip the chicken over and repeat with the rest of the oil and seasonings. Cover with the enchilada sauce
-
Lock the lid on the Instant Pot. Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and the “-” button until the display reads ” 7 ” minutes.
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When the chicken is finished cooking, immediately release the pressure manually. Check the temperature of the largest chicken breast reads 165°F. If not refer to suggestions in the notes section of this recipe or the blog post.
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Remove the lid right away and transfer the chicken to a separate bowl to prevent overcooking.
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It will appear that there is a lot of liquid, this is what you want! Use two forks or a mixer to shred the chicken right into the sauce and toss well to coat.
Notes
The cook time reflects the amount of time needed for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, which is typically about 20 minutes from it displaying "On" across the screen. Once heated and at pressure the 7 minute cook time countdown will start.
How long should I cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?
BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
-
● 8 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
-
● Based on 10-ounce boneless chicken breasts
Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
-
● 12 minutes, vent immediately to release any remaining pressure
-
● Based on 10-ounce boneless chicken breasts
What to do If the chicken breast isn’t done at the end of the cook time?
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● If your chicken doesn’t read 165° F on an instant-read thermometer when you open up the Instant Pot but is pretty close (around 160° F), close the lid and let it rest for another 5 minutes before checking the temperature again. Often this rest is enough to get the chicken up to a safe temperature.
-
● If it’s still not done, you can recover the Instant Pot and set for an additional 2 minutes of pressure (manual) cook time.
-
● Last, if you prefer, you can finish cooking the chicken in a 350° F oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 generous scoops
- Calories: 319
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 563.3 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.8 g
- Protein: 51.4 g
- Cholesterol: 165.5 mg
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