Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos boast a tender, flavorful filling that's effortlessly made in the pressure cooker...and equally delicious in burrito bowls!

Well, y'all...I've hopped on board the Instant Pot Train and I'm still zooming down the tracks! Ever since sharing my Instant Pot German Lentil Soup a few weeks ago, I've been busy converting lots of longtime favorite recipes to be cooked in this little wonder of a pressure cooker. My latest adaptation were some Slow Cooker Chicken & Black Bean Tacos from the early days o' the blog. My family loves this recipe and I make it frequently, because -- let's face it -- tomatoes, black bean, and corn are a naturally delicious combo. But now thanks to my new best buddy kitchen appliance, I can whip up Instant Pot Chicken Tacos without any forethought or planning...and using frozen chicken, at that!

Ingredients

That's right...I made these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos using frozen chicken breasts that I already had in the freezer!

I also used canned black beans, a jar of salsa, and some homemade taco seasoning that was already residing in my pantry.

Are you sensing a trend here? This is a great recipe for those evenings when you didn't plan ahead for dinner and you only have a few minutes to throw something together.

Other Ways to Enjoy Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

What's even better is that your thrown-together-something turns out pretty darn tasty for being so simple. And it's also versatile!

My kids like this shredded chicken goodness as a filling for tacos...

...while my hubby and I love it over rice or quinoa as a burrito bowl.

In fact, I always cross my fingers for leftovers so that I can enjoy it at lunch the next day.

You can also enjoy this Instant Pot Chicken Tacos concoction rolled into enchiladas or burritos, folded into quesadillas, sprinkled over nachos or chalupas...or just straight out of a bowl!

Garnishes

However you choose to enjoy your Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, the real glory is in the toppings. Allow me to enumerate a few of our favorites:

• Avocado (sliced or diced).
• Diced tomatoes.
• Pickled jalapeños.
• Pico de gallo.
• Shredded cheese.
• Fresh cilantro.
• Salsa.
• Sour cream.

Cool, fresh, creamy, and/or crunchy ingredients only serve to enhance the savory, juicy chicken, the tender beans, and the sweet corn. I'm telling ya, don't skimp on the toppings!

So have y'all joined the Instant Pot/pressure cooker craze yet and, if so, are there specific recipes you'd like me to share?

I've been using mine a lot lately and I'm happy to post more of the recipes that I'm finding success with, if there's an interest. In the meantime, happy Taco Tuesday! Or Burrito Bowl Wednesday...or Nacho Thursday...or perhaps we should just call it Instant Pot January. 😉

Helpful Tips, Tricks, & Equipment

• This is the Instant Pot that I have.
• Since a pressure cooker requires enough liquid to create steam, I added ½ cup of water to this recipe to be on the safe side. There is probably already enough liquid between the moisture released from the chicken and the salsa but in case your salsa is extra thick and/or your pressure cooker is extra sensitive, I don't want your pressure cooker to give you an error code.
• If you feel that the addition of water makes your shredded chicken filling too wet, simply use a slotted spoon to serve it. The extra liquid is actually helpful if you end up having leftovers, since it continues to get absorbed by the chicken once in the refrigerator.
• Each chicken breast should weigh between 8 and 10 ounces. You'll want to add a few minutes of extra cooking time if using very large chicken breasts...12 total minutes for thawed or 15 minutes for frozen.
• Adjust the spiciness of these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos by using medium or hot salsa instead of mild. For extra heat, you can also sprinkle in a little cayenne or (my favorite) smoky, spicy chipotle chile pepper powder.
• To save time when throwing together slow cooker or pressure cooker recipes, I often use jarred, refrigerated minced garlic instead of chopping up fresh cloves of garlic.

More Taco Goodness

• Slow Cooker Honey Lime Pulled Pork Tacos
• Taco Pasta Skillet
• Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
• Hot Taco Dip
• Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos
• Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

• ½ cup water
• 1 ¾ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 4 large (7- to 8-ounce each) chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning, or 1 package store-bought taco seasoning
• 2 tablespoons mined fresh garlic
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed & drained
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 2 cups salsa

For serving:

• Tortillas or rice/quinoa
• sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, salsa, sour cream, pico de gallo, etc., optional garnishes

Instructions

• Pour the water into the pressure cooker insert and place the chicken breasts in the bottom. Sprinkle with the taco seasoning and minced garlic. Place black beans and corn on top, and pour salsa evenly over everything.
• Seal the lid of the Instant Pot according to the owner's manual and cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes for thawed chicken breasts (or 12 minutes for frozen chicken breasts).
• When the timer is done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully vent to release the remaining pressure (consult your owner's manual for more specific instructions).
• Open the lid and use two forks to pull the chicken breasts into big chunks (remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board if that's easier). Stir all of the ingredients to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Scoop with a slotted spoon (or lift with tongs) and serve on flour tortillas (or over rice or quinoa) with plenty of your favorite toppings!

Equipment Needed

• 6-quart Instant Pot (recipe was tested in this size/model)

Notes

• If you feel like your shredded chicken filling has too much liquid, simply use a slotted spoon to serve it. The extra liquid is actually helpful if you end up having leftovers, since it continues to get absorbed by the chicken once in the refrigerator.
• Each chicken breast should weigh between 8 and 10 ounces. Add a few minutes of extra cooking time if using very large chicken breasts...12 total minutes for thawed or 15 minutes for frozen.
• Adjust the spiciness of these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos by using medium or hot salsa instead of mild. For extra heat, you can also sprinkle in a little cayenne or (my favorite) chipotle chile pepper powder.

Nutrition

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