Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken is an easy 3 ingredient recipe for seasoned shredded chicken in the pressure cooker. Perfect for tacos!
Salsa chicken is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes you can make! Seriously, you guys, there's almost no way to mess this up, so it's the perfect Instant Pot beginner recipe.
I've been making shredded chicken in the Crock-Pot forever, but making shredded chicken in the Instant Pot is 10 times faster. You can use plain broth or water if you want unflavored chicken, but if you add a jar of green salsa, you can make chicken enchiladas, tacos, air fryer chicken chimichangas, burrito bowls and much, much more. And if you like to do make ahead meals, this easy chicken recipe will make meal prep a breeze!
We make this salsa verde chicken at least once a week, so I may just be slightly addicted here. If you're not a fan of salsa verde, you can make red salsa chicken, instead.
3 Ingredient Chicken
You only need 3 basic ingredients for salsa verde chicken:
- Chicken breasts
- Salsa verde -- Make sure it's thin (I use Herdez)
- Taco seasoning -- homemade or a packet
This could easily be a 2 ingredient recipe, since all you really need is uncooked chicken and salsa. But I like extra flavor from the seasoning. If your salsa is thick, you can add a splash or chicken broth or water to avoid the burn notice.
How to make Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
First, place the chicken breasts on the bottom of the inner pot. I sometimes add a little bit of olive oil, but it's not required. Then, you sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken.
Pour the salsa over the chicken, but don't stir everything together. If you need to thin the salsa, add water or broth now.
How Long to Pressure Cook
I always pressure cook the chicken for 10 minutes. When 10 minutes are up, do a natural release for 10 minutes and a quick release after that. Note -- If you're at a higher altitude or your chicken usually comes out tough, cook the chicken for 15 minutes.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts
Forgot to thaw the chicken out? No problem! Place the frozen chicken breasts into the Instant Pot flat or slightly standing up if they're stuck together.
Add the salsa and taco seasoning, and pressure cook for 20 minutes. The chicken should be cooked at this point, but you can test with a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Use a Mixer to Shred the Chicken
Next, comes the fun part! You can use your electric hand-held mixer to easily shred the chicken! It's super easy this way, and the chicken will absorb the liquid as you shred it.
You can also use your stand mixer for this part. Serve with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Brown Rice, and that's it, friends. You are ready to eat!
Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 pounds
- 1 packet taco seasoning See note
- 1 16-ounce jar salsa verde Thin -- I use Herdez
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot, and add the chicken
- Season the chicken with taco seasoning
- Pour the salsa verde over chicken, and mix slightly to make sure chicken is evenly covered
- Place lid on Instant Pot, set sealing valve to SEALING position, and hit PRESSURE COOK, or manual, for 10 minutes. (Pot will say ON as it comes to pressure, then begin counting down at 10 minutes)
- After 10 minutes of cooking, do a natural release for 10 minutes, then hit CANCEL and do a quick release until pin drops
- Open pot, allow to cool slightly, then use an electric mixer to shred the chicken
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes with Salsa Verde
- Crock-Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Sliders
- Salsa Verde Chicken Bake
- One Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Pasta
- Homemade Salsa Verde White Queso Dip
- Salsa Verde Breakfast Burritos
- Salsa Verde Dip
Recipe first published in 2018 and last updated in 2021
Matt says
Another simple recipe. Thanks Dee for making it easy on this single dad! We made tacos and the kids loved putting their own toppings.
Dee says
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment, Matt!
katerina @ diethood.com says
I love the flavors in this!
Jen says
This is the best recipe for my meal prep on Sunday. I like to use it for tacos, burrito bowls and to top off my salads with. Love it!
Dee says
Thanks, Jen. I love to meal prep with this!
Bridget says
Can you use chicken thigh meat for this recipe? Would it gamer be cook time?
Dee says
Yes, you can use thighs for the same amount of time.
Beth says
How many calories are in this recipe? I tried to convert from kcal, but surely one serving isn’t 66000 calories! Wonderful recipe!
Dee says
Ha, no, it isn't. I'm paraphrasing here, but the term calorie (lowercase c) in recipes is actually kilocalorie. 1 kilocalorie is the same as 1 Calorie (uppercase C). There is a longer explanation, but there are really roughly 67 calories a serving, according to my recipe calculator ( I ran the numbers again for complete nutrition info, and it somehow increased to 67.) Hope this helps, and thank you so much for the compliment!
Beth says
Thank you! Not only is this a great recipe, but goodness, great lo cal dish!
Dee says
I am so happy you like it, Beth. Thank you!
Debbie says
This is a super recipe. I have made it many times. We always save the broth to use with chicken broth as a flavorful base for enchilada soup. A two for one recipe.
Dee says
I'm sooo glad to hear this, Debbie. Thank you!
Melissa says
Soooo good! Used this chicken for enchiladas!
Dee says
Our favorite way to eat it! So glad you liked it, Melissa! 🙂
Marissa says
I have an 8 quart Instant pot and would like to double the recipe for a large group. I'm new to using instant pot...do you know how to adjust the time when adding more food? Also, can you use frozen chicken? Thanks!
Dee says
The cook time stays the same for larger amounts, and most people say the time stays the same for frozen meat -- the pot just takes longer to pressurize. I haven't made this from frozen chicken, but I know some people add a little bit more time, just in case. You could try doing 12 minutes, or you can leave it at 10, and if the chicken isn't done, you can always put the lid back on and set it for a few more minutes. Hope this helps. 🙂
Ali says
Would this recipe also work in a crockpot? Is so, how long do you think it would take? Thanks.
Dee says
You could make this on a high setting in about 3 hours for fresh chicken and about 6 hours on low. 🙂
Peggy Nash says
I will be making this in a few days. Thought it would be good to have for chicken tacos. What are other ideas for serving this?
Dee says
I use the meat for nachos, burritos and enchiladas, as well. I even add it to chicken broth, too! 🙂
Ann says
This an awesome recipe! I have recommended it to so many people and everyone loves it!!
Dee says
Thanks, Ann! I'm so glad you like it!
Kelsey says
Did anyone else have issues with burning? I did exactly what instructions said but after a few minutes my instant pot read burn.
Dee says
How thick is the salsa? If you use a thick salsa, it may need a little water to thin it out. I found that Herdez brand is thin enough, and I never have any trouble with it.
Miz Helen says
This chicken will have a fantastic flavor, and I really love that little tip with the mixer to shred the chicken. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
This dish is perfect for meal prep! Making this soon!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
So many ways you can use this! I have to make it soon!
Erin Dee says
Great meal prep for the week! Another reason to love the IP!
Tayler says
I can't wait to break out my Instant Pot for this!
Jacque Hastert says
I would use this shredded chicken for SO many dishes.
Abeer says
This looks so yummy and sounds so flavorful! Can't wait to try your recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I love how quick this is to make, so perfect for busy weeknights!