Instant Pot Chicken (all purpose shredded chicken)

Instant Pot Chicken is the easiest, quickest, and smartest way to prepare shredded chicken. Use the chicken for weekly meal prep or freeze for future use!

Having shredded chicken on hand can be a life saver during the week. Using the instant pot makes is a smart way to prep shredded chicken because it's quick and easy! Keeping shredded chicken in the fridge for quick salads, tacos, or whatever is a great way to stick to healthy eating. Freezing all purpose shredded chicken can be great as well - pull it out of the freezer in the morning, and it's ready to go by dinner time. This Instant Pot Chicken is essential and will make your life so much easier! Use it with some of my favorite recipes such as Buffalo Chicken Lettuce wraps, Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Recipe), or Bang Bang Chicken rice bowls!

Making Instant Pot Chicken is so easy! Feel free to use a 3 quart, 6 quart, or 8 quart Instant pot for this recipe. Cooking directions will not change, however the amount of chicken should be considered when using a smaller or larger instant pot.

How to make Instant Pot Chicken from fresh chicken breast:

• Add 1 cup of chicken stock or water to the instant pot. Add 1 pound of fresh, not frozen, chicken breast to the instant pot. Season with some salt and pepper.
• Close the top of the instant pot and place pressure valve to the sealed position.
• Set the instant pot on manual/high pressure, then set for 7 minutes (if the chicken breasts are HUGE add 1 more minute). 
  • The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to 'come to pressure' at which point the time will start counting down. 
• Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally (do not flip the pressure valve) for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, release the rest of the pressure, then remove the instant pot chicken carefully.

How to make Instant Pot Chicken from frozen chicken breast:

• Add 1 cup of chicken stock or water to the instant pot. Add 1 pound of frozen chicken breast to the instant pot.
  • Make sure the breasts are separated, and not frozen together. It will be difficult to cook evenly if they are all stuck together. Season with some salt and pepper.
• Close the top of the instant pot and place pressure valve to the sealed position.
• Set the instant pot on manual/high pressure, then set for 12 minutes (if the chicken breasts are HUGE, add one more minute). 
  • The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to 'come to pressure' at which point the time will start counting down. 
• Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally (do not flip the pressure valve) for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, release the rest of the pressure, then remove the instant pot chicken carefully.

How to shred cooked instant pot chicken breasts:

There are several great ways to shred cooked chicken breast! Here are my favorite ways:

1. Use a stand mixer such as KitchenAid's stand mixer. Place cooked instant pot chicken breasts into the mixing bowl with the paddle attachment in place. Turn on low and watch the paddle shred the chicken with NO effort on your part!
2. Use a hand mixer to shred the chicken. Place the chicken into a plastic or glass bowl, then use a hand mixer on medium/low speed and place into the chicken. The mixer will shred the chicken while you hold it!
3. The old fashioned way, shred the chicken breasts using two forks! This is my go-to way to shred a small amount of chicken because it doesn't really get much else dirty. If you have a lot of chicken though, I suggest using one of the methods above. 

How to Freeze Shredded Chicken:

• Place portions into freezer safe bags (I like 2-3 cups in each bag), press out extra air, then seal. Spread the chicken throughout the bag, then lay it flat in the freezer. 
• Label bag with portion size and date. Chicken will stay good in the freezer for up to a year.
• To defrost: Remove from freezer the night before you need to use it, or the morning before you need to use it. 

How to use shredded chicken breast (recipes):

Tons of recipes utilize pre-cooked shredded chicken; Here are my favorites:

• Buffalo Chicken Lettuce wraps are the perfect healthy chicken recipe!  Load the spicy chicken up in fresh lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings!
• Over 28 Instant Pot Chicken recipes are on this one article! So many tasty recipes!
• This Asian Salad or asian slaw is super crunchy and majorly delicious! With a homemade Asian Dressing, this will be a favorite quick salad!
• Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are an easy crispy snack or meal!
• Buffalo Waffle fries are loaded with shredded buffalo chicken, bleu cheese, buffalo sauce, more cheese, and ranch make the most epic fries EVER!
• Low carb Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Mini Peppers are made in the air fryer or oven! They are the perfect game-day appetizer or snack!
• Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Recipe)
• Bang Bang Chicken comes together in minutes and is so delicious! The classic spicy sauce is perfect on shredded chicken which can be used in rice bowls, salads, wraps, or however you want!
• BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Grilled Cheese is the perfect ooey-gooey Hawaiian style grilled cheese sandwich. 
• A low carb keto chicken crust pizza recipe with just 4 ingredients! Top it with creamy Alfredo sauce, spinach, onions and mozzarella for a delicious and simple low carb dinner.
• Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect game-day recipe and easy made in the instant pot!
• Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Enchiladas are cheesy, flavorful, and smothered in copycat Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeño Dip for a dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite!
• White Chicken Chili is great for using up leftover chicken and is a filling comfort food with a creamy base!
• Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake is a delicious casserole recipe the whole family will love. Made with a lighter homemade Alfredo Sauce. 
• Buffalo Chicken Pizza is packed with that fantastic buffalo flavor that we all know and love! This cheesy pizza is a guaranteed family favorite!
• Greek chicken stuffed zucchini boats get a Mediterranean flair with the addition of tomatoes, olives, feta, and oregano. Enjoy as a low carb dinner recipe or pair it with rice or pasta and you have a wholesome meal!
• Chicken Pear Sweet Potato Farro Salad is a healthy and delicious salad!
• Chicken Enchilada Mac and Cheese is ready in 30 minutes and packed with flavor! The perfect weeknight dinner recipe!
• Creamy chicken casserole is made with cheese sauce, pasta, chicken, broccoli and bacon. Kid-friendly and perfect for a weeknight meal!
• Chicken Noodle Casserole are a great way to have comfort food fast. 

If you like the INSTANT POT as much as I do, then checkout ALL of my Instant Pot Recipes HERE!

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