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. If you find pressure cookers intimidating, and your Instant Pot has been in the box since the day you bought it, then it’s time to dust it off and give this easy recipe a try!.
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.
Cooking chicken in the Instant Pot can be a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. However, many home cooks have experienced the frustration of biting into chicken that has a rubbery, chewy texture. If your Instant Pot chicken has been coming out less than tender, don’t worry – with a few tweaks you can get it right every time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the top reasons your Instant Pot chicken is rubbery and provide tips to help you cook moist, delicious chicken each time.
Common Causes of Rubbery Instant Pot Chicken
There are a few key things that can result in overly chewy Instant Pot chicken. Being aware of these common culprits can help pinpoint what may be going wrong in your cooking process
Overcooking
Overcooking chicken in the Instant Pot is one of the main reasons why it turns out rubbery. Food cooks very quickly in high pressure, so it’s easy to go too long on cook times. When put under too much pressure for too long, chicken breasts and boneless cuts can get tough and dry. In general, chicken breasts without bones only need 6 to 8 minutes of high pressure cooking. Thighs and legs of chicken can handle a little more time, about 15 minutes. To keep from overcooking, always use a digital timer and a natural pressure release.
Not Enough Liquid
For the Instant Pot to get hot enough to cook the food, it needs steam. If there isn’t enough liquid in the pot, some parts of the chicken may not be fully cooked and become rubbery. For every pound of chicken, you need about a cup of broth, water, or sauce. Before you lock the lid, make sure the liquid covers the bottom of the pot.
Frozen Chicken
Cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot can throw off cook times. The time needed to thaw the chicken means it risks overcooking from the pressure. For best results always thaw chicken fully in the refrigerator before cooking.
Improper Venting
Releasing the pressure too quickly at the end of cooking can cause chicken to seize up, resulting in a rubbery texture. Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes before doing a quick pressure release. This allows the meat fibers to relax.
Overcrowding
If you put too much chicken in the pot, the steam can’t move around properly. Pieces may be undercooked and rubbery as a result. When cooking chicken, don’t put more than half of the chicken in the Instant Pot.
Tips for Tender, Juicy Chicken
Now that you know what makes chicken tough, here are some tips that will help you always get tender Instant Pot chicken.
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Use Natural Release – As mentioned above, naturally releasing the pressure is key. Don’t rush this step.
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Remove Skin and Bones – Boneless and skinless cuts like breasts and thighs cook more evenly. Save bone-in chicken for slow cooker recipes.
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Cut Even Sized Pieces – Uniform pieces cook at the same rate. Cut breasts into 2-inch chunks before cooking.
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Sear First – Browning the chicken first helps it retain moisture as it cooks under pressure. Use the Saute setting to sear before pressure cooking.
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Add a Bit of Fat – Chicken fat, olive oil, or butter in the pot helps keep the meat juicy. Don’t skimp on flavor!
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Use a Meat Thermometer – Check that chicken reached 165°F internally before serving.
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Braise after Cooking – Let chicken rest and simmer in the cooking liquid for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Helpful Tips for Specific Cuts
Certain Instant Pot techniques can be used for different cuts of chicken to prevent rubbery results.
For chicken breasts, it’s all about keeping cook times short, seasoning well, and resisting the urge to open the pot before pressure fully releases. Well-marinated boneless breasts only need 0-2 minutes under high pressure.
For chicken thighs and legs, braising them after pressure cooking helps keep them fall-off-the-bone tender. Brown them first, pressure cook for 15 minutes, then let them simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes.
For a whole chicken, trussing it tightly and cooking 20 minutes per pound on high ensures even cooking. Letting the pressure release for 15 minutes afterwards allows the meat to relax.
Rubbery chicken is never appetizing, but thankfully this common Instant Pot problem is easy to solve. Now that you know the keys to tender, juicy chicken, you can adjust your prep and cooking methods accordingly. Stick to recommended cook times, properly vent the pot, and avoid overcrowding for the best results. With a bit of practice, you’ll be serving restaurant-quality chicken entrées from your Instant Pot in no time.
How To Store Your Leftovers
To store any shredded chicken that you have left over, or if you made a batch specifically for meal prep, allow it to cool first. Transfer your shredded chicken to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How To Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Making shredded chicken in the Instant Pot is not just easy, it’s also efficient. It offers a hands-off cooking approach, and the result is perfectly cooked, easily shreddable chicken that’s ready for a multitude of recipes. Here are the basic steps:
Add chicken breasts to the Instant Pot with broth and a generous amount of seasonings of your choice. For extra juicy shredded chicken, add a mix of boneless breasts and thighs.
Close the lid and seal the pressure release valve. Select the poultry setting or choose high pressure if your model doesn’t have a poultry setting.
Once you choose the time, the Instant Pot will stay “ON” until it reaches the right temperature and pressure inside. This can take up to 10 minutes. The timer will start when the right temp and pressure are achieved.
Once the time is up, turn the Instant Pot to ‘keep warm/cancel’. You do not need to wait for a natural release of pressure. Turn the valve to venting for a quick release. After the pressure is released entirely, remove the lid and transfer the chicken from the Instant Pot to a large pan.
Shred the chicken with whatever method you prefer. We use two forks because it works and we have them in our kitchens but a set of these bear claw shredding tools are super handy too
Once shredded, place the chicken back into the Instant Pot and toss it with the chicken broth. This helps to enhance the juicy factor. No one wants dry chicken.
Remove the chicken and enjoy it however you please. Or allow it to cool for 30 minutes before storing in a large glass storage container with lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, chicken may be frozen for up to 6 months.
For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. Every one of our recipes comes with a nutrition facts panel that shows how many calories, protein, carbs, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and other nutrients are in each serving.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast–Tender, Juicy, and Perfectly Cooked
FAQ
Why is Instant Pot chicken rubbery?
Rubbery Instant Pot shredded chicken is usually the result of overcooking the meat.
Why is my chicken coming out rubbery?
Rubbery chicken is usually a result of overcooking, which causes the protein fibers to tighten and become elastic. This can happen with both dry heat (like grilling or baking) and wet heat (like in a slow cooker) if the chicken is left in too long.
Why is my Instant Pot chicken so tough?
Why is my Instant Pot Chicken rubbery? If your chicken is rubbery it’s overcooked. Choose to cook chicken breasts that are similar in size and weight to ensure the cooking time is appropriate for your IP chicken. An inexpensive kitchen scale is extremely helpful in preventing overcooking IP chicken breast meat.
Can you overcook chicken in an Instant Pot?
Yes, it is very possible to overcook chicken in an Instant Pot, especially chicken breasts, which are more prone to drying out than other cuts.
Why is my chicken rubbery in the Instant Pot?
It’s likely that the chicken will be tough if the Instant Pot is too big for the amount of food inside. Ensure you use the right size of Instant Pot for your family’s needs to ensure all your dishes come out well. If you only have a large Instant Pot, try doubling up the recipe for better results.
Why is my Instant Pot chicken chewy?
Wrong Way to Ventilate: An Instant Pot is made with a correct pressurizing and pressure venting system to make sure the food is cooked right and the steam can be safely released afterward. However, when the venting is opened during cooking, the chicken will turn out chewy and rubbery.
Why is my chicken rubbery?
Rubbery chicken is usually an indicator of overcooked chicken. The longer the chicken cooks, the more moisture it loses, and without moisture, the protein fibers become elastic, AKA rubbery. As mentioned above, overcooked chicken is the most common reason for rubbery chicken because the chicken loses moisture as it cooks.
Is chicken rubbery at the end?
There is nothing worse than spending time, money, and energy on a recipe only to have the chicken be rubbery at the end. Chicken is one of the most common protein choices because of its versatility and nutritional value. It’s easy to throw in an Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup or shred it in Healthy Chicken Enchiladas.
How do you know if Chicken is overcooked?
It’s easy to throw in an Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup or shred it in Healthy Chicken Enchiladas. Rubbery chicken is usually an indicator of overcooked chicken. The longer the chicken cooks, the more moisture it loses, and without moisture, the protein fibers become elastic, AKA rubbery.
How much liquid does it take to cook chicken in Instant Pot?
There is already water in chicken, so only a few tablespoons of liquid will be enough to cook it without making it tough. This is because the chicken will be cooked to perfection with steam from the Instant Pot. So, try to keep the amount of liquid minimal in the Instant Pot while cooking chicken. 3. Don’t Cook It With Dark Meat.