Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe

This incredibly versatile Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is a game-changer for busy home cooks. Ready in just over 20 minutes, this perfectly tender, juicy shredded chicken becomes your blank canvas for countless meals throughout the week. The simple herb and citrus infusion gives it enough flavor to enjoy on its own, while remaining adaptable enough to work in virtually any dish you can imagine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Time-Saving Magic: This recipe transforms frozen chicken breasts into perfectly shreddable meat in minutes—no thawing required! It’s the ultimate back-pocket recipe for those “I forgot to defrost” moments.
• Meal Prep Champion: Make a batch on Sunday, and you’ve got the foundation for multiple meals throughout the week—from tacos to salads to pasta.
• Foolproof Method: The Instant Pot delivers consistently juicy chicken every time, taking the guesswork out of cooking perfect shredded chicken.
• Flavor Foundation: The subtle lemon, garlic, and herb flavors enhance rather than overwhelm, making this chicken incredibly versatile for countless recipes.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Breasts: The star of the show, boneless skinless breasts work beautifully here. Fresh or frozen both work perfectly—that’s the magic of pressure cooking!
• Water or Chicken Broth: Creates the steam needed for pressure cooking while infusing flavor. Broth adds more richness, but water works perfectly fine.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures the chicken isn’t bland at its core.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle warmth and depth.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a gentle smoky undertone without overwhelming the chicken.
• Lemon: Both the zest and juice brighten everything up and tenderize the meat. The acidity cuts through the richness.
• Garlic: Those smashed cloves infuse the cooking environment with essential aromatic flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Thyme and rosemary provide an earthy, fragrant backdrop that elevates the chicken without dominating it.

Variations

Make this recipe your own with these simple twists:

Mexican Fiesta

Swap the lemon for lime, add 1 teaspoon of cumin, replace herbs with fresh cilantro, and include a diced jalapeño for heat.

Italian Comfort

Use dried Italian seasoning instead of thyme and rosemary, add a splash of white wine to the cooking liquid, and finish with freshly grated Parmesan after shredding.

Asian Fusion

Replace lemon with orange, add ginger alongside the garlic, use a splash of soy sauce in the cooking liquid, and finish with a drizzle of sesame oil.

BBQ Base

Skip the lemon and herbs, add a tablespoon of brown sugar and a teaspoon of smoked paprika, then toss the shredded chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce after cooking.

How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Place the trivet inside your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water or chicken broth. This creates the steam necessary for pressure cooking while keeping the chicken elevated.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place chicken breasts on the trivet. Sprinkle them evenly with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and lemon zest, ensuring even coverage for consistent flavor.

Step 3: Add Aromatics

Squeeze juice from half the lemon over the chicken. Add the smashed garlic cloves, thyme sprig, and rosemary sprig to the pot, surrounding the chicken.

Step 4: Seal and Set

Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure it’s locked in place. Turn the steam release valve to “sealing.” Select Manual/Pressure Cook and set for 12 minutes for fresh chicken or 14 minutes for frozen chicken.

Step 5: Natural Release

When cooking completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This resting period helps the chicken retain moisture and complete cooking gently.

Step 6: Release Remaining Pressure

After the 10-minute natural release, turn the valve to “venting” to release any remaining pressure. Wait until the pin drops before opening the lid.

Step 7: Shred the Chicken

Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred using two forks, pulling the meat apart. For extra flavor and moisture, squeeze the remaining lemon half over the shredded chicken and toss it with about ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Even Sizing Matters: Try to select chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking. If sizes vary dramatically, place larger pieces at the bottom of the pot.
• Don’t Skip the Natural Release: This isn’t just about safety—the 10-minute natural release allows the chicken to finish cooking gently and retain more moisture.
• Save That Liquid Gold: The cooking liquid is essentially a quick chicken stock infused with all your aromatics. Save it for soups, cooking grains, or moistening leftover chicken when reheating.
• Double Batch Friendly: This recipe scales up beautifully. You can double the ingredients (keeping the liquid amount the same) without changing the cooking time.
• Texture Control: For finer shreds, shred the chicken while still warm. For chunkier pieces, let it cool slightly before shredding.

How to Serve

This shredded chicken is incredibly versatile! Here are some favorite ways to use it:

Quick Meals

• Toss with pasta, a splash of cream, and veggies for an instant pasta dish
• Pile onto toasted bread with avocado for a protein-packed sandwich
• Mix with mayo, celery, and grapes for classic chicken salad

Family Favorites

• Use as filling for enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas
• Add to soups or stews in the last few minutes of cooking
• Combine with buffalo sauce for game day sandwiches or wraps

Healthy Options

• Top salads for an instant protein boost
• Stuff into baked sweet potatoes with a dollop of Greek yogurt
• Fill lettuce wraps with chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a light dressing

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled shredded chicken in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For maximum moisture retention, store with a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid.

Freezing

Portion shredded chicken into freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze flat for quick thawing. Will keep for up to 3 months. Adding a bit of the cooking liquid before freezing helps maintain moisture.

Reheating

Microwave with a splash of water or broth until just heated through (about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway). Alternatively, reheat in a skillet with a little liquid, stirring occasionally until warm.

For meal prep: Portion into individual containers with complementary ingredients that don’t need reheating (like salad greens or avocado) stored separately.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and actually produce even juicier results. Keep the cooking time the same, as thighs are quite forgiving and won’t dry out with the same cooking duration.

My chicken came out tough. What went wrong?
Tough chicken usually means it was overcooked or didn’t have enough moisture. Make sure you’re using the natural release method for 10 minutes, and consider adding a bit more cooking liquid next time. Also, check that your sealing ring is properly installed to maintain pressure.

Can I skip the aromatics if I don’t have them?
While the garlic, lemon, and herbs add wonderful flavor, this recipe still works with just salt and pepper. You can use dried herbs (about 1/2 teaspoon each) if fresh aren’t available. The chicken will still be perfectly shreddable and usable as a base for many dishes.

How much shredded chicken does this recipe yield?
Four average chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total) typically yield approximately 4 cups of shredded chicken. This amount can vary slightly depending on the size of your chicken breasts. It’s enough for about 4-6 servings as a main component of a meal.

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe might seem simple, but it’s truly a kitchen game-changer. Having perfectly cooked, versatile protein ready to transform into countless meals means you’re always just minutes away from a satisfying dinner, no matter how hectic life gets. Give it a try—your future hungry self will thank you!

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