Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast

This easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast is super tender, juicy, and flavorful! Cooking shredded chicken in the Instant Pot requires basic ingredients, only 20 minutes and is the best way to cook fresh chicken breast or even frozen.

Another family favorite is this Instant Pot pulled chicken and Instant Pot butter chicken recipe.

This Instant Pot shredded chicken breast recipe isn’t really a recipe but since most meat eaters have chicken at least once a week, we have some serious business to discuss!

So many different recipes require shredded chicken, like tacos, soups, salads, casseroles, and more. So naturally, I wanted an easy recipe that results in tender chicken! And pressure cooking is my favorite way to cook food, so here we go.

If you’ve tried shredding oven baked chicken breasts, you’ll know that it’s a hit or miss. Cooking chicken in the Instant Pot results in juicy, easily shreddable and delicious chicken every time. Just like making shredded chicken in crock pot is foolproof as well.

The electric pressure cooker works its magic and with just a little bit of water, a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, you get incredibly flavorful chicken, ready to be used in all of your favorite dishes.

Use right away for weekly meal prep or freeze some for later, it’s simply the best and will become your go-to recipe!

Ingredients Needed

This shredded chicken in Instant Pot is a great first Instant Pot recipe. It uses basic ingredients and is the easiest way to cook up to 3 pounds of juicy chicken breasts!

• Chicken breasts: I prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts either fresh or frozen although boneless skinless chicken thighs work, too.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder or onion powder, salt, and pepper. I keep this simple knowing I will be adding the chicken most likely to a recipe, but you can feel free to season with a spice of choice.
• Water or broth: I use water but you can use chicken stock or broth for extra flavor if you’d prefer.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot

Making this Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe is so simple, but here are the exact steps I take to ensure it turns out great every time.

First you will want to add 1 cup of liquid like chicken broth or water to the bottom of the Instant Pot to prevent burn notice. Feel free to use your trivet or not.

Add raw chicken: Then lay boneless chicken breasts or thighs as many as you can fit in a single layer. You do not want to stack them on top of each other. Season by sprinkling spices on top.

Cook: Cook chicken on High pressure for 10 – 12 minutes depending on thickness of chicken breasts. Once you hear the beep, wait 5 minutes and then do Quick Pressure Release to release remaining pressure. To check if chicken is ready, make sure internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F.

Shred chicken: You can do so using 2 forks or meat claws. If you have a big batch, a hand mixer or stand mixer may be best.

Tips for Best Results

• Shredding: Warm chicken shreds easier than cold chicken.
• Chicken thighs: Boneless chicken thighs can be used if preferred, cooking time remains the same. Thighs are more flavorful and breasts leaner, you can even use a mix of both.
• Size of Instant Pot: The cook time remains the same no matter the size of your pot. It just means you may be able to fit fewer pieces (or more) depending on the size.
• Use different seasonings: Instead of the simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder feel free to add a few teaspoons of these blends or spices.
  • Italian seasoning blend
  • All purpose seasoning blend
  • Paprika or smoked paprika
  • Lemon pepper
  • Taco seasoning

• Frozen chicken breasts: Unlike with slow cooker where meat will stay uncooked at warm temperature for too long, you can cook frozen meat in Instant Pot. When cooking Instant Pot frozen chicken breast, make sure chicken pieces are separated. You will also need to set the timer for 15 minutes.

Ways to Use Shredded Chicken

Use easy shredded chicken to its fullest potential in any of these 65 healthy chicken recipes! There is something for everyone, any day of the week.

• Mexican chicken recipes: Chicken tostadas or chicken tacos are favorites!
• Chicken salads: Healthy chicken salad is a reader favorite. Then use it to make chicken sandwiches!
• Soups: Healthy chicken noodle soup is a nourishing way to boost the immune system.
• Casseroles: Use it in this healthy chicken and rice casserole or try chicken zucchini casserole.

FAQs

More Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes

• Instant Pot chicken breast
• Instant Pot chicken and rice
• Instant Pot shredded chicken tacos
• Instant Pot white chicken chili
• Instant Pot Italian chicken breast