Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken uses only 4 ingredients and is so simple to make! You can even cook from frozen for a healthy meal prep recipe! Paleo, keto whole30, and perfect for adding to soups, salads or with veggies.
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Crazy Easy Pulled Chicken Instant Pot Recipe
I debated calling this recipe ‘crazy easy instant pot chicken’ because it’s THAT simple – but really.. this recipe is stupid easy.
Whether you’re an instant pot pro or newbie – I promise you can totally handle this and will love the perfectly juicy, delicious instant pot shredded chicken it makes!
Video: How to make Instant Pot Pulled Chicken
I’m not going to lie – the instant pot scared me for a while. I got it as a gift and left it in the box for a few weeks because I was too nervous to break it open.
I don’t know if it’s the high pressure or the fact that you can’t really see what’s going on in the pot… but it is intimidating!
When I finally got the courage to fire up the instant pot, I figured I’d ease into it with something simple like the best shredded chicken. Can’t mess that up, right? Especially when you only need 4 ingredients!
P.S. If you’re an instant pot newbie – this Instant Pot Potato Soup is another super easy recipe!
Pulled Chicken Instant Pot Ingredients
To make instant pot shredded chicken you’ll need:
- chicken breasts
- broth
- salt/pepper (or whatever seasonings you like!)
What kind of chicken can you use?
I prefer to use chicken breasts but you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders too! Both come out delicious using this method.
You can use bone in chicken thighs or drumsticks too, add one minute to your cook time.
It came out so good on the first try, that I wound up making it almost every week to use in different recipes. It goes with/in anything! Plus, it literally takes under 20 minutes and makes the most perfect, juicy instant pot shredded chicken. You gotta try it!
Substitutions for Shredded Chicken Breast Instant Pot:
This instant pot shredded chicken recipe is pretty versatile – here are some of the ways you can customize it.
Broth – You can use any kind of broth in this recipe (chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef will work) or you can just use water.
Salt/Pepper– You don’t have to add salt/pepper to this. You can leave the chicken plain and season as you eat, or you can add other spices to it! We have done this with Italian seasoning and it was delicious!
Meat – Chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders will all work in this recipe!
2 lbs – Increase your cook time by 1 minute. For 3 lbs, increase your cook time by 2 minutes
Seasoning – You can use any seasonings on this. We like to use our Healthy Taco Seasoning on it, but any spice mix will do!
Tomatoes – I like to add 1/4 salsa or crushed tomatoes to the pot for flavor. You can also try this Salsa Verde Chicken!
Crockpot – You can cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours or try our crockpot whole chicken.
Baked – If you want a baked chicken breast, check out our favorite Baked Boneless Chicken Breast recipe! For baked chicken legs, try our Baked Chicken Legs.
How to make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
To make instant pot shredded chicken you’ll need salt pepper, broth, and chicken breasts.
- Add chicken, broth + spices to the instant pot.
- Set to Sealing, Pressure Cook or Poultry for 14 minutes.
- When finished – either pressure release naturally or manually release pressure, shred + enjoy!
Best Way to Shred Chicken
You can shred your chicken with two forks or with a mixer.
With Forks: You can shred this chicken simply by pulling it apart with two forks. It will be super tender.
With a mixer: My favorite way to shred chicken breasts is by using a mixer. I toss the cooked chicken into my KitchenAid Mixer with the paddle attachment and give it a few whirls. That’s all it takes!
Can you shred a raw chicken breast? You can’t shred a raw chicken breast. Raw chicken is too tough to shred. It’s best to shred the chicken when it’s warm right after being cooked.
Is it better to shred chicken hot or cold? It’s best to shred it hot. When the chicken has finished cooking it will shred much easier than if the chicken is cold. You can shred the chicken with two forks or use a stand or hand mixer to shred the chicken!
How to make Instant Pot Chicken Breast from frozen
You can make this recipe using frozen chicken breasts. Simply add 4 extra minutes to your cook time for a total of 18 minutes and 1/4 cup of extra broth.
Storing Instant Pot Pulled Chicken
Storing: This chicken will last for 4 days in your refrigerator in an airtight container. We like to store it with the broth leftover from cooking to keep the chicken moist.
Freezing: I have frozen this shredded chicken in small bags or these containers for freezing. When ready to defrost, simply take it out the night before and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight or simply heat from frozen in the microwave or in a pan. The chicken should last 2-3 months in the freezer.
Shredded Chicken Instant Pot FAQ
You can cook 1 lb of chicken in the instant pot for 14 minutes on high pressure. For frozen chicken breasts, I do 18 minutes on high pressure. For each pound of chicken, I increase the cook time by 1-2 minutes.
Typically, it’s very easy to overcook chicken, but in the instant pot, it is difficult to do. Pressure cooking really locks in the flavor and moisture of chicken. I wouldn’t cook 1 lb of chicken for 20 minutes in the pressure cooker, but if you do, it probably won’t even be overcooked!
If your instant pot chicken is dry, you may have overcooked it. Don’t worry – you can fix this! Stir your cooked chicken with 1/2 cup of chicken broth and store it with excess broth. The chicken will absorb the liquid and get a moist texture. Next time, try cooking your chicken for 14 minutes on high pressure.
Chicken can get a rubbery texture in the instant pot when over cooked. To avoid this, try not to over cook your chicken. Storing the chicken in chicken broth can help rehydrate the chicken and make it less rubbery.
Can you make shredded chicken in the crockpot?
If you don’t have an instant pot you can make this in the crockpot.
You can cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Or check out this Crockpot Shredded Chicken Recipe.
Recipes Using Shredded Chicken
Here are some instant pot shredded chicken ideas for you! This chicken is so versatile, it really goes with anything!
- We love adding this chicken in soups, salads, or just plain on its own. It’s great for meal prepping and serving with Crispy Smashed Potatoes and Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
- Lemon Chicken Soup
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Chicken Quinoa Veggie Power Bowls
- Greek Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in instant pot base. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour broth into base.
- Cover the instant pot and set to Poultry OR Pressure Cook. Set to Normal, High Pressure for 14 minutes. (If frozen chicken breasts, do 18 minutes). Make sure your pot is set to sealing, not venting.
- Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure + cook. (It should take about 5 minutes to come to pressure)
- Once it is finished cooking, manually release pressure or naturally release the pressure.
- Remove chicken from instant pot and place in separate bowl. There will be extra liquid in the instant pot. You can use this in soups, as cooking stock or discard.
- Shred chicken apart with forks + enjoy! (Note: chicken can also be shredded by placing in mixer on low speed!)
Video
Notes
- Broth – You can use any kind of broth in this recipe (veggie or beef will work) or you can just use water.
- Salt/Pepper– You don’t have to add salt/pepper to this. You can leave the chicken plain and season as you eat, or you can add other spices to it! We have done this with Italian seasoning and it was delicious!
Dirk Tiu says
Thanks for sharing! The family loved it!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So happy to hear that, Dirk!!
Maureen says
If I wanted to use frozen chicken, do I just adjust the time? I’m a newbie!!! Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m sorry but I have never cooked it from frozen! This post says 15 minutes but I’m not sure if that is long enough because I’ve never tested it! https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-chicken-breasts/
Harmony says
Made this recipe tonight, it’s fast and simple. Most importantly: it’s flavorful!! I throw it on chopped cucumbers and tomatoes with lemon juice and red wine vinegar.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Glad you liked it Harmony!! That sounds like such a good combo – I’m going to have to try it!!
Cyrena says
If I double the recipe (ex. 2lbs of chicken), how does this effect the cooking time?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Cyrena – I’d add 2 extra minutes and an extra 1/4 cup of liquid if you’re adding more chicken. Hope this helps!
Kristi says
Have always been frustrated with instant pot shredded chicken recipes…until now! This chicken actually came out tender and juicy instead of tough and weird like my previous attempts. This recipe is easy and definitely a keeper!
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Kristi! And glad they came out great 🙂 I honestly am not a huge instant pot fan but this is my favorite recipe to make in it!
Sharon says
When you say manually release, does that mean quick release, or let it naturally release? I’m sorry…just hadnt seen it like that before, and I want to try this since I’ve been unsuccessful with chicken breasts so far.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Sharon – Yes, manually release is quick release as soon as the time is up. Hope this is the recipe you find success with!
Elizabeth says
This recipe is absolutely perfect for meal prepping for my son who is one and LOVES shredded chicken! So quick and easy!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked it, Elizabeth 🙂
Christine says
No more running to the store when I need cooked chicken for a recipe!! Just made this in my instant pot for first time and it came out perfect!! I doubled the amount of chicken to 2 pounds and increased the broth by 1/4-1/2 cup and extended the time a few minutes….so quick and easy….starting to come around to my instant pot for some stuff I think
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked the recipe, Christine! It’s totally a fool proof recipe 🙂 Our pulled pork is also great!
Jim Compton says
I made shredded chicken burritos in the instapot and they turned out awesome. Meal prepped them for my weekly truck meals. Quick and easy.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Awesome!! So glad you liked it, Jim!
Katie says
I am honestly not a fan of my instant pot at all, but this recipe is wonderful. This chicken is a great staple to make at the beginning of the week and have on hand for many recipes.
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m not an instant pot fan either at all but this is my favorite way to use it!
Lindsey says
Just what I was looking for! I used two pounds and set it for 15 mins and it turned out perfect! This is going to become a staple in my house – so many ways to use shredded chicken!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked it, Lindsey! It’s perfect in so many recipes. We use it in Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad all the time!
Dyan says
Will frozen chicken thighs work for this recipe?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Dyan – I haven’t tried it with frozen chicken thighs. If they’re boneless – I would try cooking for 20 minutes. The best way to tell is checking the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be at 165.
Stephanie Wilmott says
Chicken came out perfect!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad to hear this, Stephanie! Thanks so much!
Ellen Starkey says
Thank you for this super simple way to do chicken.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Glad you liked it, Ellen!
Ashley says
Any time I need to quickly cook chicken breast for recipes that call for shredded chicken, I use this recipe. Shave so much time, and the chicken comes out perfect every time.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Yay! So glad you like it!
Berni says
I am so scared of my instant pot as well and I have 2!!! I made this just now for enchiladas I am making later for dinner and the chicken came out perfect. This was faster than the crockpot and tested better than boiling.
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked this recipe, Berni! I hope you conquer your fear of the IP 🙂 it is a little tricky at first!
Liz Kane says
Love that this is so easy and plain. I used to do the “salsa chicken” but I’m single so I was stuck with chicken tacos for 3 days! Keeping it plain I can add salsa for a taco or 2, then add some to pad Thai or a chicken salad etc. I won’t get bored and won’t go to waste .
The Clean Eating Couple says
So happy you liked it, Liz!!
Kyle says
Super simple and fast! Used this recipe to cook chicken for the Clean Eating Couple Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe!
Nic says
Hi. How can you make this if you do not have an instant cooker? Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
It’s noted in the post: You can cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. you can also check out this blog post:
Rachel Tower says
I thought I saw somewhere in your notes that if we don’t have an instant pot, we can use a crockpot, yet when I went back to ck. I didn’t see the note about cooking the 4 ingredient shredded chicken in a crockpot. I would very much like to make this shredded chicken. Can you please respond back to me?
Thank you in advance
The Clean Eating Couple says
This information is in the post:
You can cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Or checkout this Crockpot Shredded Chicken Recipe.
Ginger says
I love this recipe. It’s so easy and makes great shredded chicken for a simple lunch like chicken salad or for dinner in soups or other dishes. Instant pots always intimidated me but the step by step instructions are so helpful. Thank you!
Patti says
My go to recipe for a quick way to cook chicken and use in other recipes. It’s so simple and easy and the mixer method to shred it is the best hack I’ve come across to cut on time! I use a hand mixer but it does the job in seconds 🙂