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Instant Pot shredded chicken tacos with tender seasoned chicken, cilantro, onion, and lime

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken for Tacos, Salads and Bowls

Instant Pot shredded chicken is a quick, tender recipe with juicy, flavorful chicken that works well for easy weeknight meals. The versatile shredded texture makes it a simple choice for tacos, salads, and bowls.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Coat the chicken breasts or thighs with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. Use the Instant Pot sauté setting to brown the seasoned chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  3. Add the low-sodium chicken broth to the pot with the browned chicken.
Cooking
  1. Pressure cook the chicken on high for 10-12 minutes, allowing additional cooking time for thicker chicken thighs if needed.
  2. Let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes, then carefully vent any remaining pressure.
  3. Transfer the chicken from the Instant Pot, allow it to rest briefly, then shred it with two forks or a hand mixer before serving.

Notes

Allowing the chicken to rest briefly before shredding helps maintain moisture and keeps the texture consistent.