It’s time to make your life easier with this simple, nutritious method to prepare chicken. Instant Pot shredded chicken is so tasty and versatile, it’s sure to become a household favorite. In case you are scared of pressure cookers and your Instant Pot has been in the box since you bought it, this simple recipe is just what you need to use it!
This easy recipe is a staple for us. What are the benefits of Instant Pot shredded chicken? The benefits of Instant Pot shredded chicken include:
For those of you thinking about purchasing an Instant Pot, below is the one that we prefer. It is the perfect size for families with 4-5 members.
It can be hard to cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot so that they are tender and juicy. At some point, we’ve all had chicken that was tough, dry, and rubbery. There are some simple things you can do to make sure your Instant Pot chicken breasts are always perfect.
Common Causes of Tough Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
There are a few key reasons why your Instant Pot chicken breasts may be turning out tough
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Overcooking – Chicken breasts are very lean and can easily be overcooked. Cooking them too long causes the proteins to tighten up and squeeze out moisture leaving you with dry, rubbery meat. Always stick to shorter cook times of around 8-12 minutes for boneless breasts.
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Not Enough Liquid – The Instant Pot needs adequate liquid to build up steam pressure. Without enough moisture, the chicken won’t cook properly and will likely dry out. Use at least 1 cup of broth or water for 2-3 breasts.
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Incorrect Pressure Release Method – Releasing the pressure too quickly after cooking can cause the chicken to seize up. Always allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10-15 minutes before doing a quick pressure release.
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Dense, Thick Breasts – Extra thick chicken breasts may require longer cook times. Opt for thinner, uniform sized breasts that will cook evenly. Pound thicker pieces to an even thickness.
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Overcrowding: If you put too many breasts in the pot, the steam won’t be able to move around properly. Line them up flat, one on top of the other, with some space between them.
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Not Enough Fat—Chicken breasts need fat to keep them moist and add flavor. Don’t just cook them in water; coat them in oil or cook them in broth.
Tips for Tender, Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Follow these simple tips for foolproof, tender Instant Pot chicken breasts every time:
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Use Smaller Breasts – Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are 6 oz or under. Larger, thicker pieces take longer to cook through.
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Pound to Even Thickness – If your breasts are thick in the middle, you can pound them to an even 1⁄2 inch thickness so they cook evenly.
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First, brown the chicken. This adds flavor and helps the chicken stay moist. Sauté breasts in batches before pressure cooking.
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Add Liquid – Use at least 1 cup broth or water per 2-3 breasts. Chicken stock or wine add great flavor.
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Layer in a Single Layer – Arrange breasts in a single layer without overcrowding for proper cooking.
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Use a Trivet – Placing chicken on a trivet lifts it off the bottom so steam can fully circulate.
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Set to High Pressure – Cook on high pressure for 8-12 minutes, depending on size. Do not exceed 12 minutes.
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Allow Natural Release – Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10-15 minutes to prevent seizing up.
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Check for Doneness – Breasts should register 165°F internally and not have any pink left when cut into.
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Let Rest 5 Minutes – Letting the chicken rest after cooking allows juices to reabsorb for maximum moisture.
Best Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
Now that you know how to get tender, juicy chicken breasts from your Instant Pot every time, here are some delicious recipe ideas to try:
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Simple Shredded Chicken Breasts – Cook with chicken broth and shred. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, tacos etc.
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BBQ Instant Pot Chicken – Toss cooked breasts with your favorite bbq sauce. Quick weeknight idea.
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Buffalo Chicken Breasts – Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce. Serve with blue cheese dressing.
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Chicken Fajitas – Sauté onions, peppers and spices. Add chicken and serve in tortillas.
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Chicken Enchiladas – Make an easy filling by cooking chicken with enchilada sauce before stuffing tortillas.
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Chicken Noodle Soup – Cook chicken and make broth right in the pot. Add veggies and egg noodles.
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Lemon-Herb Chicken Breasts – Add bright flavor with fresh lemon juice, garlic and herbs like parsley or dill.
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Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms – Cook chicken in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and spinach. Serve over pasta or rice.
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Jambalaya – Make a one-pot meal by cooking chicken with spicy andouille sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, onion, peppers and cajun seasoning.
With the right techniques and recipes, you can easily make incredibly tender, juicy Instant Pot chicken breasts at home. Be sure to avoid overcooking by using shorter cook times for small, pounded chicken breasts. Add enough liquid to the pot and always allow the pressure to release naturally before opening. Follow the tips above and check out tasty recipe ideas for foolproof chicken every night of the week. Your family will be asking for second helpings!
Ingredients To Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Where can I find the things I need to make shredded chicken? Most of the things you need to make shredded chicken are available at most grocery stores.
There is chicken in the recipe. We used chicken breast, but you can add skinless chicken thighs if you like more juicy dark meat.
Seasoning: Choose your favorite seasonings. Get some taco seasoning, chili powder, and cumin ready if you’re going to make something like enchiladas or chicken tacos. If you’re mixing it into soups, try some oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. If you want to keep it super simple, grab your favorite premade seasoning mix.
Broth: You want to keep your chicken nice and juicy! Chicken stock or bone broth is a must for yummy, fall-apart shredded chicken.
Sea salt and black pepper: As with any recipe you’re going to season to your liking with these tabletop staples.
If you’re meal prepping or plan to use the shredded chicken breast in different flavor profiles throughout the week, keep the initial seasonings simple, maybe even just salt and pepper. You can always toss the cooked chicken in BBQ sauce or season it further in the final dish.
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
The main piece of equipment in this recipe is obviously the pressure pot. It doesn’t have to be Instant Pot, any brand appliance that can pressure cook will do.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can still make shredded chicken using our method for how to make the perfect chicken breast on the stovetop.
When it comes to shredding the chicken, we feel like two forks work perfectly fine. But there are claw-like meat shredding tools you can use if you feel so inclined. You can also use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer. If you use bone-in chicken, you cannot use the mixer method unless first remove the meat from the bones.
More Recipes to try
Instant Pot Chicken Breast–Tender, Juicy, and Perfectly Cooked
FAQ
Why is my Instant Pot chicken so tough?
If there isn’t enough liquid, the chicken may not cook properly, leading to toughness. Not Letting the Pressure Drop Naturally: If you let the pressure drop naturally instead of quickly, the sudden change in temperature can make the meat tough.
Why is my Instant Pot chicken so chewy?
Chicken breast is very lean, so cooking to internal temperature is very important. Once the chicken exceeds 165F it will always become very dry and chewy and there’s nothing you can do at that point to fix it. So basically, the short & sweet answer is that you are overcooking your chicken.
Why is my chicken breast rubbery in Instant Pot?
Rubbery chicken is usually an indicator of overcooked chicken. More water is lost from the chicken as it cooks, and protein fibers become elastic, or rubbery, without water.
Can you overcook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?
You certainly can overcook a chicken breast in an Instant Pot.Jan 30, 2024