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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jul 13, 2019 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is a super easy shredded chicken recipe you can use for tacos, burritos, chimichangas and so much more.

    Jump to Recipe -

    shredded instant pot salsa chicken in a white serving dish

    Salsa chicken is one of easiest Instant Pot chicken recipes you can make, and it's definitely the Instant Pot recipe I make the most. Just add chicken breasts, salsa and seasoning to the pressure cooker, and you've got delicious cooked chicken in about 20 minutes!

    Seriously, I make this chicken for dinner at least once a week. Actually, it's so easy that my kids usually take over the cooking, and they even have the recipe memorized!

    I also make salsa chicken with salsa verde -- This makes killer creamy chicken enchiladas! But, I think the red salsa is perfect when you want a milder flavor that you can use in many different recipes.

    How to Make Salsa Chicken in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Place the chicken breasts into the pressure cooker. Then, season the chicken. I make my own taco seasoning, but you can use your favorite taco seasoning if you want.

    seasoned chicken breasts in instant pot pressure cooker

    Next, pour the salsa over the seasoned chicken breasts. Chicken releases a lot of liquid as it cooks, so  you shouldn't need any water for this.

    If your brand of salsa is super thick, you can always add a tablespoon of water if you're worried about getting the burn notice. I have never had a problem with this, though.

    chicken breasts with red salsa in instant pot

    Pressure cook the chicken, and allow it to release naturally for 10 minutes. After that, you can release the remaining pressure and shred the chicken with an electric mixer -- super easy!

    shredded chicken breast meat in pressure cooker

    What Can You Make with Salsa Chicken?

    • Tacos
    • Air Fryer Chimichangas
    • Burritos
    • Burrito Bowls
    • Chicken Wraps
    • Taquitos

    And the list goes on. You can even eat it plain over lettuce!

    white serving bowl with pulled salsa chicken

    Pin to save the recipe

    instant pot salsa chicken in serving bowl

    More Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes

    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
    • Instant Pot Honey Mustard Curry Chicken
    • Instant Pot Honey Lime Chicken
    • Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy
    • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
    • Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken

    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

    Recipe

    shredded instant pot salsa chicken in a white serving dish

    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is a super easy shredded chicken recipe you can use for tacos, burritos, chimichangas and so much more.

    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    pressure time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 10
    Calories 63 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 ½ to 2 pounds
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder
    • 1 cup red salsa

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken in the Instant Pot
    • Sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken
    • Pour the salsa over the chicken, and place lid on Instant Pot
    • Turn vent to sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 10 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then count down and cook for 10 minutes. When pot beeps, allow pressure to release for 10 minutes, then turn vent knob to venting to release remaining pressure
    • When pin drops, remove lid. Chicken should be at 165 degrees, according to meat thermometer. Use electric mixer or two forks to shred chicken, and serve or use in your favorite Mexican recipes that call for cooked chicken

    Notes

    Use your favorite taco seasoning if you want!

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 10gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 469mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 235IUVitamin C: 1.4mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you like this easy salsa chicken recipe as much as we do!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      February 16, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      How long should I cook frozen chicken breasts for? Thank you! Your recipes look amazing!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 17, 2020 at 8:28 pm

        I usually cook frozen for 12 minutes just to be sure it's done. The internal temp needs to be 165 degrees.

    2. James says

      July 18, 2019 at 6:55 am

      Made this with extra chicken breasts I had to use up. Made burritos and have enough left overs to make a few more dishes. Great recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 18, 2019 at 10:50 am

        Thanks so much, James! It's one of our favorites!

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    I’m the blogger, cookbook author, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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