This Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken recipe is perfect for anyone looking to prepare a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal. With juicy, tender chicken and a spicy kick, it’s great for tacos, taco salads, burritos, or as a protein-packed topping for rice bowls. Ready in just 30 minutes, this is a meal everyone will love, without spending much time in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick & Easy: The Instant Pot makes this dish a breeze to prepare, with minimal hands-on time.
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Packed with Flavor: The combination of fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and spices gives this chicken a delicious, smoky flavor.
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Versatile: You can use the shredded chicken in tacos, salads, wraps, or even just on its own for a low-carb option.
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Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe makes plenty of chicken that you can store in the fridge for the week or freeze for later.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into large pieces)
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1 (15 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes
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2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (see notes for spiciness)
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
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Juice of 1 lime
Directions
1. Combine Ingredients
Place all the ingredients into the liner of your Instant Pot. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the spices and liquids.
2. Cook the Chicken
Lock the lid in place, ensuring that the vent is set to SEALED. Press the MANUAL button and set the timer for 15 minutes on HIGH pressure. Keep in mind, the Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to build pressure before the timer starts.
3. Release Pressure
Once the cooking time is up, release the pressure immediately. Carefully remove the lid.
4. Shred the Chicken
Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken. The remaining juices in the Instant Pot can be stirred back into the shredded chicken to keep it moist and flavorful.
5. Serve
Use the shredded chicken for tacos, salads, burritos, or bowls. Garnish as desired and enjoy!
Notes
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For Less Spice: If you prefer a milder chicken, leave the chipotle peppers whole before cooking. You can remove them after cooking if you want less heat.
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For More Spice: Dice the chipotle peppers before cooking to add more heat to the chicken.
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Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
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Calories: 180 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 2g
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Protein: 32g
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Fat: 4g
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Saturated Fat: 1g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
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Trans Fat: 1g
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Cholesterol: 97mg
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Sodium: 633mg
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Potassium: 578mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 1g
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Vitamin A: 399 IU
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Vitamin C: 2mg
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Calcium: 12mg
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Iron: 1mg
Conclusion
This Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken is not only incredibly easy to make but also packed with bold flavors. Whether you’re using it in tacos, salads, or bowls, it’s a versatile meal that fits any occasion. With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time! Enjoy!
Print
Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken is juicy, smoky, and ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls, this quick and versatile recipe is packed with bold flavor from chipotle peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, and classic Mexican spic
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into large pieces)
1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (adjust for spice preference)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
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Combine Ingredients – Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot liner. Stir to coat chicken evenly.
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Pressure Cook – Lock the lid, set vent to SEALED, and cook on MANUAL (high) for 15 minutes. Allow ~10 min for pressure to build.
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Quick Release – Once cooking is complete, release pressure immediately and carefully remove lid.
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Shred Chicken – Transfer chicken to a cutting board or bowl. Shred with two forks, then stir back into the cooking juices for extra flavor.
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Serve – Use in tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls. Garnish as desired.
Notes
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Less Spice: Leave chipotle peppers whole and remove after cooking.
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More Spice: Dice chipotle peppers before cooking or add extra chili powder.
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Storage: Store in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Mexican