Description
This Instant Pot Salsa Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep and just a few simple ingredients, chicken breasts or thighs are cooked to tender perfection in a zesty salsa and taco seasoning sauce. The result is a juicy, shredded chicken dish full of vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors that can be served with tortillas, rice, or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Salsa Chicken Ingredients
- 1.5 cups jarred salsa
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Place the salsa, chicken broth, and taco seasoning inside the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine. Add the chicken and stir gently to coat it evenly, making sure some sauce is underneath the chicken to prevent burning during cooking.
- Close the Instant Pot: Secure the lid and set the pressure valve to the “sealing” position to prepare for pressure cooking.
- Set Cooking Time: Choose the ‘manual’ or ‘high pressure’ setting on your Instant Pot. Set the timer to 10 minutes if using fresh or defrosted chicken, or 15 minutes if cooking from frozen.
- Pressure Cook: Allow the Instant Pot to cook the chicken under high pressure for the set time. The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts.
- Natural Release and Wait: When cooking ends, turn off the Instant Pot and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow natural pressure release.
- Release Remaining Pressure: Carefully turn the pressure valve to ‘vent’ to release any remaining steam. Use a kitchen towel and avoid placing your face over the valve to prevent steam burns.
- Open the Pot: Remove the lid carefully, watching out for any residual steam escaping from the pot.
- Shred the Chicken: Using kitchen tongs, transfer the chicken to a large wooden chopping board. Shred the meat with two forks until finely pulled apart. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the pot, letting it soak for 5 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of taco seasoning or choose a spicy salsa.
- Both chicken breasts and thighs work well; thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
- If using frozen chicken, make sure to adjust the cook time accordingly as noted.
- Serve with warm tortillas, rice, or over a salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze nicely for up to 3 months.
