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Free: 5 Secrets To Fast Healthy DinnersGet It Now This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure) Some of my favorite staples to make ahead are large batches of shredded chicken, barbacoa beef, or pulled pork. I used to make shredded chicken in the slow cooker, but then I discovered that it’s so much faster to make Instant Pot shredded chicken breast. It’s become my favorite healthy Instant Pot recipe. And while that’s my pressure cooker of choice, you can make this pressure cooker shredded chicken recipe using other pressure cooker brands, too. I totally adore this method now. If you’re on the fence about pressure cooking chicken, now is the time to try it. The prep is as care-free as a slow cooker, but done in less than 15 minutes. And this quick and easy Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is not only simple, it’s also versatile for any use. Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe
Ingredients You’ll NeedThis section explains how to choose the best ingredients for pressure cooker shredded chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
TIP: Feel free to customize the spices in this Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe. I used Italian seasoning because it goes with pretty much anything, but you can also try garlic powder, taco seasoning, or dried herbs. How To Make Shredded Chicken In The Instant PotThis section shows how to cook chicen breast in the Instant Pot for making shredded chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
TIP: Pour the broth around the chicken, not over it. This way, there’s enough liquid for the Instant Pot, but you won’t wash off the seasonings.
How Long To Cook Chicken Breast In The Instant Pot?People have been asking me how long to cook chicken breast in a pressure cooker for making various amounts of shredded chicken. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find this information anywhere, not even from Instant Pot directly. After testing each weight amount (and over 20 pounds of shredded chicken later!), I have created an Instant Pot chicken breast time chart to show you exactly how long to cook chicken in an Instant Pot depending on the amount you have:
I’m really excited to have this chart for Instant Pot chicken breast, and I hope you are, too. It’s so convenient to be able to make just the right amount you need. How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Breast In The Instant Pot?The time chart above includes times for frozen Instant Pot chicken breast as well as fresh. For 4 pounds of chicken, set the time to 13 minutes. How Much Instant Pot Chicken Can you Make At Once?Assuming a 6-quart Instant Pot, I recommend making no more than five pounds of shredded chicken in the Instant Pot at once, preferably no more than four. Five pounds is really pushing it, as it fills up the Instant Pot and takes a long time to reach pressure. FYI: One pound of chicken will yield 2 to 2 1/2 cups of shredded chicken. That’s the same as five 1/2-cup servings. How To Shred Chicken Breast?Once you’ve made your Instant Pot chicken breast, it should already be very tender and easy to shred. You can use these methods to do so:
TIP: The pressure release mechanism will impact how easy it will be to shred your Instant Pot chicken. Natural release results in the most tender meat and the most effortless shredding, so use that if you can. At the very least, use the natural release for five minutes prior to using the quick release option. Storage InstructionsStore cooked chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To retain moisture, store it with the broth or juices. I like to meal prep a big batch and keep one-pound portions in the fridge to use in different recipes. Can You Freeze Shredded Chicken?Absolutely, Instant Pot shredded chicken is the ultimate freezer staple! Let it cool to room temperature first, then portion out into plastic bags and freeze flat. Once solid, you can store the bags upright in the freezer for 3-6 months.(Alternatively, you can freeze in batches using a vacuum sealer to make it last even longer without freezer burn.) Ways To Use Shredded ChickenOnce you make this Instant Pot chicken breast, it’ll be so convenient to have shredded chicken on hand for all kinds of recipes. Here are some of the top ways to use it:
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Serving size: 1/2 cup Check the chart above to see how to scale this pressure cooker chicken breast recipe to any weight from 1 to 5 pounds! Nutrition Facts Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above. Calories 176 Fat 7g Protein 27g Total Carbs 0.03g Net Carbs 0.02g Fiber 0.01g Sugar 0.0003g Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy. © Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂 How long does it take to cook chicken breasts in an Instant Pot?Secure the instant pot lid and make sure the vent is set to “sealed”. Pressure cook on high for 8-10 minutes for fresh chicken breast, or 10-12 minutes for frozen chicken (depending on the thickness of the breasts).
Can you put cream in a pressure cooker?Heavy cream can be used as well in moderation as it's high-fat content will not curdle when pressure cooked--but beware, it can still cause a burn notice if not used in with another type of thin liquid such as water or stock.
How long does frozen chicken take to cook in the Instant Pot?Frozen chicken breasts will need to cook in the Instant Pot for 20 minutes at high pressure. Keep in mind it will take the Instant Pot about 10-15 minutes to preheat, so your total cooking time is about 30 minutes.
Can I stack chicken breasts in Instant Pot?Can You Stack Chicken in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can definitely stack chicken in the Instant Pot. The only thing you'll need to be wary of is to make sure each piece is seasoned well before you stack them on top of one another. Otherwise, you may have unevenly seasoned chicken.
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