Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant pot shredded chicken is a time saver.  Is it just me or does it seem like you need an endless supply of shredded chicken for your favorite recipes?  We like to use it for meal prep for Chicken Spaghetti or Chicken Quesadillas.

Previously I would boil or bake chicken for any recipe where I had to have shredded chicken breasts.  Sometimes I would buy a rotisserie chicken to make it “easier.” 

 However, after buying my instant pot, I use it to prepare that chicken the quick and easy way.  Now all you have to do is put it in the instant pot with a little water, push a button, and you get tender, juicy and healthy chicken that shreds easier than any other way of preparing it.  Try it out for yourself today!

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken – Steps to Prepare

First, place the steamer rack that came with your instant pot in the bottom of the stainless steel inner cooking pot.  Next add 2 cups of water then place boneless, skinless chicken breast on top of the steamer rack. 

I have cooked as few as 1 chicken breast to as many as 10 chicken breasts.  After the rack, water and chicken are in the inner cooking pot, place it inside the chamber of your instant pot to cook.

Next make sure sealing ring is placed properly in the top and place top on and turn to close.  Most importantly place sealing vent on top to sealed position.  See our post for How to Cook Using Your Instant Pot for more helpful tips!

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken – How to Cook It

The next step is to press the poultry button or set to manual for 15 minutes.  It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the pot to reach full pressure and start counting down as it cooks. 

When the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes.  After then release any remaining pressure by using a slotted spoon to turn the vent from sealing to release.  Carefully remove the top and inner pot. 

Finally, remove all chicken with tongs and place them on a plate or in a large bowl.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken – How to Shred Chicken

Use your tongs or 2 forks to shred the chicken.  I like to use the flat edge of my closed tongs to chop it up and forks to break any large pieces up.  I love my Kitchen Aid tongs!  It takes about 30 seconds to shred it beautifully without dirtying up any more dishes. 

If you are using the chicken for a casserole you can pour a tiny bit of the chicken broth from the pot on top so it is juicy. If you are using it for sandwiches or quesadillas, don’t mix any broth in with it.  Proceed with whatever recipe you need the shredded chicken for,  seasoning it as needed for your next masterpiece.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken – How to Store Shredded Chicken

After cooking the chicken and shredding it, let it cool then place shredded chicken in a storage bag or container and refrigerate it.  If I use a storage bag I remove as much air as possible.

Alternately, you can also freeze the cooked and shredded chicken in the size portion that you need for your recipes.  I usually store it in 1 or 2 cup amounts per bag. 

Talk about fast food – pull out a bag, thaw a few minutes in cold water and your are ready to make quesadillas, tacos, stir fry, chicken salad or and endless variety of casseroles with just a few extra ingredients since the hard work is already done and your chicken is ready to use.  No more wondering what’s for dinner!

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken – Related Recipes

Try some of our favorite recipes that call for shredded chicken.

Quesadilla Recipe

Chicken Salad

Chicken Ro-Tel Spaghetti

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Cook chicken in your instant pot to use in casseroles, salads, quesadillas, tacos and soups. It cooks up tender and moist and is perfect for make ahead meals.
Prep Time5 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 132kcal
Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I use fresh, but you can use frozen and add 7 minutes to your cooking time)
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Place the steamer rack that came with your instant pot in the bottom of the stainless steel inner cooking pot.
  • Add 2 cups of water then place boneless, skinless chicken breast on top of the steamer rack.
  • After the rack, water and chicken are in the inner cooking pot, place it inside the chamber of your instant pot to cook.
  • Make sure sealing ring is placed properly in the top and place top on and turn to close. Most importantly place sealing vent on top to sealed position.
  • The next step is to press the poultry button or set to manual for 15 minutes. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the pot to reach full pressure and start counting down as it cooks.
  • When the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes.
  • Release any remaining pressure by using a slotted spoon to turn the vent from sealing to release.
  • Carefully remove the top and inner pot.
  • Remove all chicken with tongs and place them on a plate or in a large bowl.
  • Shred with tongs or 2 forks.
  • Use in any recipe that calls for shredded chicken.

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary according to ingredients and amount served.
You can cook more chicken if needed. I have cooked up to 10 chicken breasts without adjusting the time.
If your pot is over half full, you will need to add extra water and some extra minutes cooking time.
Promptly refrigerate or freeze any cooked chicken that you are not using immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 132kcal | Protein: 36g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g

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