Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
The ultimate weeknight meal, Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is packed with flavor and made in no time. Juicy chicken simmers in zesty salsa and spices, creating a dish that's perfect for burrito bowls or tacos. You'll want to make this easy recipe tonight!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 16 ounces salsa (1 jar)
- ¾ cup chicken broth (or water)
Instructions
- Start by sprinkling the chicken breasts with the chili powder, ground cumin, and kosher salt. This seasoning is crucial for infusing the chicken with flavor. Place the seasoned chicken in your Instant Pot, making sure it's evenly distributed for optimal cooking.
- Next, pour the entire jar of salsa over the seasoned chicken. The salsa will not only flavor the meat but also provide moisture during the cooking process, ensuring that the chicken remains juicy.
- Add chicken broth (or water) to the pot. This liquid is essential as it helps create steam in the Instant Pot, which is what cooks the chicken to perfection. The broth will also enhance the flavor of the salsa and chicken.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to the “MANUAL” setting. Cook the mixture for 15 minutes. This is the magic time when the chicken absorbs all the delicious flavors from the salsa and spices.
- Once the timer goes off, allow the steam to release naturally for 5 minutes. This step is important because it allows the chicken to finish cooking gently, making it incredibly tender.
- After 5 minutes, carefully perform a quick release of the remaining steam using the “QUICK RELEASE” button. Be cautious of the steam as it escapes, as it can be hot!
- Remove the chicken from the pot, and place it on a cutting board. To shred it easily, you can use two forks or your hands. If you prefer, you can also use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to shred the chicken quickly.
- Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and mix it with the salsa mixture. Stir well until the chicken is fully coated in the salsa. This step ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
- Now it’s time to serve! You can enjoy your Instant Pot Salsa Chicken with warm tortillas, or create burrito bowls topped with your favorite taco fixings like cheese, avocado, or fresh cilantro. The options are endless!
Notes
To add more spice to this chicken, toss in some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. Also, consider serving it with chopped jalapeños and hot sauce!
Trim the fat off of the chicken before cooking it if there is any. That way, it’s a healthier dish and has a better texture.
The easiest way to shred the chicken is with two forks. You can do this in or out of the Instant Pot.
You can also dump the chicken into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and let the mixer do the work for you!