If you need a quick, easy, and versatile shredded chicken recipe that the whole family will love, this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is it! Bursting with flavor and perfectly tender, this hassle-free dish is a total game-changer for busy households. You'll want to make it again and again!
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When I have people over for dinner, I make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and everyone is super happy and full. It's a win-win. What do you think about shredded chicken?
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy Meal: This Instant Pot Pulled chicken is literally the easiest meal you'll ever make.
- Cooks Fast: If you need chicken and need it fast, then you'll love how quick this chicken cooks.
🥘 Ingredients
Making Instant Pot pulled chicken is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts And Thighs: Offer a blend of lean and slightly fattier meat, resulting in shredded chicken that's tender and full of flavor.
- Your Favorite Rub: Infuses the chicken with a depth of flavor during cooking, ensuring each bite is packed with taste.
- Reduced Sodium Vegetable Broth: Keeps your shredded chicken moist and savory without excessive saltiness.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Broth: You may substitute the vegetable broth for chicken broth. You might also want to add a little garlic powder or smoked paprika to give the cooked chicken some extra flavor.
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken?
Step One: Mix together chicken and your rub in a bowl.
Step Two: Add the vegetable broth to Instant Pot and add the chicken directly into the liquid.
Step Three: Cover and seal your pot. Select Pressure Cook/Manual, set to high pressure for 10 minutes.
Step Four: Cook and then allow the pressure to release naturally.
Step Five: Remove chicken from your Instant Pot onto a plate and shred using some forks.
Step Six: Remove liquid from Instant Pot and add chicken back in, add some of the cooking liquid, mix and serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use a Mix of Breasts and Thighs: Combining boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs provides the perfect balance of lean and slightly fattier meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender shredded chicken.
- Season Early for Flavor: Apply your favorite rub or seasoning to the chicken before cooking. Letting it marinate for even a few minutes helps infuse more flavor into the meat.
- Use Broth for Extra Moisture: Adding vegetable or chicken broth to the Instant Pot helps keep the chicken moist and tender, preventing it from drying out during cooking.
- Shred While Hot: For the easiest shredding, shred the chicken immediately after cooking, while it’s still hot. This allows the meat to break apart easily, giving you a perfect texture.
💭 FAQs
Both shredded and pulled chicken involve cooking the meat until it's tender enough to be easily separated into smaller pieces.
Shredded Chicken: Typically, shredded chicken is cooked until fully done, then the meat is manually or mechanically shredded into bite-sized pieces using forks, a mixer, or other utensils. It can be a more controlled and uniform process.
Pulled Chicken: Pulled chicken often implies cooking the meat low and slow, traditionally in barbecue or slow-cooker style. The chicken is then pulled apart by hand or with forks into long, thin shreds. This method tends to result in a more rustic, uneven texture.
Yes, if you wish to cook chicken breast from frozen then place boneless chicken breasts into your Instant Pot for 12 minutes. This two minutes of extra time will allow the chicken to cook through
To get delicious shredded chicken I use a combination of boneless skinless chicken thighs and chicken breasts, however either will work well for this recipe.
To store shredded chicken, cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze in a suitable container or bag, and when ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
🧂What Can I Use Shredded Chicken For?
Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and sandwiches to soups and casseroles. And because it is already cooked, shredded chicken can save you time when you're trying to get dinner on the table. Here are just a few ideas for how to use shredded chicken:
- Chili Or Soup: Add shredded chicken to your favorite soup or Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe for extra protein.
- Rice Or Quinoa: Stir it into some Cooked Long Grain Rice or Quinoa Salad along with some sauteed veggies for a quick and easy stir-fry.
- Salad: Mix it with mayo, diced celery, and seasonings to make a tasty Chicken Salad.
- Mexican: Use it as a filling for Mexican Chicken Pot Pie, chicken tacos, burritos, or Air Fryer Enchiladas.
- Make a batch of cheesy Chicken Spaghetti by stirring shredded chicken into cooked pasta and a jar of Marinara Sauce.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast and Thighs
- 1.5 tablespoon Herbs or Your Favorite Rub
- 1 Cup Reduced Sodium Vegetable Broth
Instructions
- Mix together chicken and your rub in a bowl.
- Add the vegetable broth to Instant Pot and add the chicken directly into the liquid. Cover and seal your pot. Select Pressure Cook/Manual, set to to high pressure for 10 minutes. Cook and then allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Remove chicken from your Instant Pot onto a plate and shred using some forks.
- Remove liquid from Instant Pot and add chicken back in, add some of the cooking liquid, mix and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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