Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe

Picture this: a cozy weeknight where the aroma of sizzling onions and garlic fills the air, and I’m about to transform a few simple ingredients into the tastiest chicken tacos ever, all with the magic of my Instant Pot. Who’s ready to dive into this flavor fiesta with me? 🌮✨

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos are a quick and delicious way to enjoy a flavorful meal. I enjoy using boneless, skinless chicken breasts coupled with a delicious mix of diced tomatoes with green chilies and taco seasoning.

Adding olive oil and chicken broth ensures the chicken stays nice and tender; then, with sautéed onions and garlic, you’ve got a meal that not only smells amazing but tastes that way too. These tacos make the perfect vessel for transporting toppings like shredded lettuce and fresh avocado—I mean, what else could you possibly want in a taco?

Deliciousness? Check.

Protein? Double check.

Irresistibility? It’s got that in spades.

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: High in lean protein, aiding muscle growth.
• Olive oil: Heart-healthy fat with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Chicken broth: Adds rich flavor, source of collagen.
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Provides vitamin C and a spicy kick.
• Onion: Rich in antioxidants, supports immune health.
• Garlic: Boosts immune system, known for anti-inflammatory effects.

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Corn or flour tortillas for serving
• Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro

How to Make this Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe

1. Use the sauté mode on your Instant Pot and drench it in olive oil. Once that’s sizzling, add in your diced onion and allow it to reach a state of soft as per the desired texture (3-4 minutes). When that’s doing its thing, add in your minced garlic and allow it to flirt with the sizzling oil for roughly 30 seconds before you move on to the next step.

2. Deactivate the sauté mode and put the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Season both sides with taco seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. Add the chicken broth, making sure the chicken is encircled by liquid on all sides. Add the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies along with the juices, making sure it is spread over the chicken.

4. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to Pressure Cook. Then, select how long you’d like to cook for. Note: This recipe calls for 10 minutes, high pressure.

5. After the cooking time is finished, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.

6. Remove the lid and move the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Shred the chicken, using two forks, to get the desired fine pieces.

7. Put the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and mix it with the sauce so that it soaks up the flavor. Taste the mixture. If you think it needs to be more flavorful, add some more salt and pepper.

8. If you’d like a thicker sauce, you can set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. That’s 2-3 minutes, for those of you counting.

9. Heat the corn or flour tortillas as directed on the package.

10. Tortillas are served with shredded chicken and made to order with toppings. They may use any combination of toppings that includes the following: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and/or cilantro.

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot
2. Cutting board
3. Knife
4. Mixing spoon
5. Measuring spoon
6. Can opener
7. Tongs
8. Pressure cooker-safe lid
9. Forks (for shredding)
10. Serving spoon
11. Frying pan or microwave (for heating tortillas)
12. Bowl for optional toppings

FAQ

• What should I do if I don’t have fresh garlic?If fresh garlic isn’t available, you can substitute each clove with 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Can I use frozen chicken breasts?Of course, frozen chicken breasts are usable. Cooking time should, however, be increased by about 5 minutes.
• How can I make homemade taco seasoning?Mix together the following ingredients to make a flavorful chili spice blend:

  Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.

• Can I make this dish in advance?Absolutely. You can make the chicken taco filling in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?Maintain a sufficient amount of liquid (chicken broth) and do not overcook the chicken in the Instant Pot.
• What is the best way to shred the chicken?Two forks can be used to shred the chicken, or for an easier method, a hand mixer can be used to quickly shred the chicken.
• Can I make this recipe spicier?Certainly! You can elevate the spice factor by adding jalapeños, extra chili powder, or hot sauce.

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture instead of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Replace olive oil with avocado oil or vegetable oil.
Substitute vegetable broth or water for chicken broth for a lighter flavor.
If you lack taco seasoning, then concoct a mixture using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Substitute green chilies that are diced for a can of rattled green chilies for a can of diced tomatoes that are plain.

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Pro Tips

1. Marinate for Extra Flavor Before cooking, consider marinating the chicken breasts with the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) in the refrigerator. This will help deepen the flavors in the chicken.

2. Deglaze the Pot After sautéing the onions and garlic, add a splash of chicken broth to the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This prevents the Instant Pot from giving a burn warning and adds flavor to the final dish.

3. Toppings Variations Experiment with additional toppings like pickled red onions, jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime for an extra punch of flavor and acidity. These can enhance the overall taste and offer a fresh contrast to the rich chicken.

4. Customize the Heat Level If you prefer a spicier dish, use a spicier variety of diced tomatoes with green chilies or add some chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the mix. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste preferences.

5. Optimize Texture For a varied texture, reserve some of the sautéed onions to use as a topping instead of mixing all of them back with the shredded chicken. This gives the dish an additional layer of flavor and texture when serving.