This Mexican Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is perfect for enchiladas, tacos, wraps, soups and so much more!
A close up of shredded chicken with fresh coriander leaves on top.

Shredded Mexican Chicken

A super easy (Mexican-style) Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe is the perfect filling for burritos, enchiladas, tacos and more. Usually made with boneless chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs, it is an easy meal in minutes that the whole family loves.

I added Mexican seasoning to the instant pot chicken, but you can use almost any flavours or spices.

Related recipes: Keto Chicken Enchiladas / Easy Keto Nachos with Homemade Protein Chips

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy to make – 5-minute meal prep and the pressure cooker does all the work.

Budget-friendly – with the growing cost of living, we all love a budget meal.

Low carb and keto friendly – this shredded chicken instant pot recipe is gluten-free and low in carbs. It has no thickeners or sugar added.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken ingredients on a tiled backdrop with labels so you know what they are.

The Ingredients

* Chicken Breast – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts. For this recipe, you can use skinless chicken thighs, bone-in chicken or even a whole chicken cut into pieces.
* Taco Seasoning – I have included a link to our Taco Seasoning in the recipe card, but you can also use store-bought. If you have none of either and want to whip up a quick seasoning mix add a teaspoon of ground cumin, ground coriander, chipotle powder or chipotles in adobo, and some oregano.
* Enchilada Sauce – make your own (there is a link in the recipe card) or use tomato puree, or tinned tomatoes. Add an extra tablespoon of chipotles in adobo for a tasty Mexican shredded chicken recipe.
* Optional Extras – I like to add dried chipotle chili, Mexican oregano the pressure cooker too. Add bay leaves, chicken broth, and different spices to suit the dish you will use the shredded chicken in.

For more shredded chicken in instant pot details:

Scroll to the RECIPE CARD below for QUANTITIES OF EACH INGREDIENT

How to Make It

Step 1. Place the chicken breasts into the bottom of the Instant Pot (or similar). Add remaining ingredients. Set to Pressure Cook/High/12 minutes.

Step 2. 5 minute Natural Release then Instant Release.

Step 3. Shred chicken with two forks when finish cooking. You can do this in the broth or on a chopping board.

Step 4. Serve wrapped in a low carb tortilla or however you want. Pictured here with Protein Tortilla Chips in our Keto Chicken Nachos recipe.

What to Serve with Mexican Shredded Chicken

I love it as-is straight from the bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh herbs. This pulled chicken recipe is also perfect for low carb wraps or served with guacamole, Mexican Red Onions, cilantro chimichurri, or salmoriglio.

FAQs

Can you freeze it?

Yes, you can!
Freeze in portions in an airtight container.
Defrost in the fridge overnight
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

How to use Instant Pot pulled chicken?

Use the chicken for nachos, tacos, soup, sandwiches and a host more easy meals. It can be also be used as a filling in Chicken Lasagna.

Can I cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot?

You absolutely can. You can place boneless skinless chicken breast fillets straight into the Instant Pot frozen. It doesn’t matter if they are stuck together. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for the same amount of time. Check the internal temperature of the breast is 74°C / 165°F or higher before shredding. If the chicken needs extra time, then sauté in the pot until cooked.

Can I make it in a slow cooker?

To make slow cooker shredded chicken just pile all the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Chicken nachos with guacamole on a hand crafted plate.

More Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes

  1. Birria Tacos with Consommé
  2. Easy Baked Italian Meatballs
  3. Italian Keto Meatloaf Recipe
  4. Homemade Healthy Beef Stew

RAVING NEW FAN? Subscribe to our newsletter. Join our keto community on  Facebook and  Instagram or see all the new stuff on Pinterest.

Keto Meal Plans & Support
A bowl of instant pot shredded chicken topped with cilantro.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

This Mexican Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is perfect for enchiladas, tacos, wraps, soups and so much more!
5 from 93 votes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 143kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 8 serves
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
Print Pin Save Rate

Ingredients 

  • 1 kg (2.2 lb) chicken breast skin off, left whole
  • 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) Keto Taco Seasoning
  • 1 cup (1 cup) Keto Enchilada Sauce click for recipe or see notes
  • 1/2 cup (1 cup) chicken stock or broth

Instructions

INSTANT POT® METHOD

  • Place the chicken breasts into the bottom of the Instant Pot (or similar). Add remaining ingredients. Set to Pressure Cook/High/12 minutes.
  • Natural Release for 5 minutes then Instant Release. Shred chicken with 2 forks. Serve wrapped in a low carb tortilla or however you want.

THERMAL METHOD

  • Slice chicken breast into 3 long thick strips. Season with taco seasoning. Set aside.
  • Add remaining ingredients to mixer; cook 12 min/100°C/stir.
  • Add seasoned chicken breast; cook 10 min/100°C/reverse/slowest speed/MC OFF/basket on top. Check that chicken is cooked through and extend time if needed. This will of course depend on the size of chicken breast.
  • Remove chicken and cover to keep warm. Reduce sauce; 10 min/120°C/speed 2/cap off. Add chicken back to sauce shred chicken 5 sec/reverse/speed 4.

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • Preheat oven to 180℃ FAN/200°C STATIC/400°F. 
  • Season chicken and place into a casserole dish with remaining ingredients. Cover with lid. Bake 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Shred with two forks.

Notes

Store in fridge for up to 3 days.
Shredded chicken can be frozen for up to 1 month.
This recipe is perfect for a light soup, just add more stock. It can also be used for enchilada, burrito, and taco fillings.
Chicken breast can be easily swapped for thigh fillets if preferred. If you don’t have a pressure cooker or slow cooker then this recipe can be made with leftover rotisserie chicken or bbq chicken. Just mix the cooked chicken and remaining ingredients in a small pan and heat on the stovetop until warmed through.
Use Fajita Seasoning for a milder spice blend.
Swap the chicken for tofu, jackfruit or cauliflower. Replace the cheese with any dairy-free or plant-based cheese as desired.
If you do not have an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodie or similar pressure cooker this recipe can be cooked in a slow cooker or in the oven.
The nutritional value is based on 4 serves, but this can easily stretch to 6 serves.

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 465mg | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.5mg | Magnesium: 33mg | Net Carbs: 1g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

Share This Recipe

29 responses to “Instant Pot Shredded Chicken”

  1. Natalie

    5 stars
    I love shredded chicken and this recipe really makes it easy to make. Thank you for all the helpful tips!

  2. Claire

    I love using my instant pot for busy weeknight cooking, so I was so excited to come across your recipe. Can’t wait to try this Mexican shredded chicken!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I hope you love it Claire.

  3. 5 stars
    This is a great recipe! And I loved your homemade taco seasoning recipe. I usually have all the ingredients on hand so it was easy to make.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy you enjoyed it Amy.

  4. Tammy

    So, so comforting! A bowl of this and a warm flatbread and I’m in heaven..absolutely perfect.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Absolutely!

  5. 5 stars
    I made this shredded chicken for tacos, and my only regret is I didn’t double the recipe. This chicken is heaven on Earth and so easy to make! Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Haha! I feel your pain. Double it is!

  6. 5 stars
    I loved how easy this Mexican shredded chicken was to make in the Instant pot, but also appreciate the low carb enchilada sauce too – absolutely delish!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      yaas! That sauce is everything!

  7. Veronika

    5 stars
    This chicken was so incredibly easy to make in the instant pot! We used it in tacos and added leftovers to a soup. We’ll definitely add it to our rotation, it was so flavorful.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      What a great way to use it Veronika. Thanks for making it.

  8. Bernice

    5 stars
    I love how easy it is to make pulled chicken in an Instant Pot. I usually do it BBQ chicken style but I’m glad I tried it your way with the Mexican spices this time. Everyone loved it.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So happy you all enjoyed it Bernice. Thanks for letting us know how it went.

  9. 5 stars
    This Mexican shredded chicken is so easy to make in the Instant Pot with just a few ingredients. It went great in homemade burrito bowls.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! That is such a great way to use it.

  10. 5 stars
    I love this shredded chicken. It’s super easy, flavorful, and delicious. Makes the best tacos!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      It sure does Colleen.

  11. 5 stars
    I’m making this Instant Pot shredded chicken to serve tonight for Taco Tuesday and snuck a bit when I was shredding it. The meat is so juicy and full of amazing South-of-the-Border flavor!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So glad you enjoyed it

  12. 5 stars
    I love how the instant pot makes succulent pulled chicken so ridiculously easy! I could see myself making this for perfect weeknight tacos!

    1. Megan

      I love my Instant Pot soooo much.

  13. 5 stars
    Love the mix of flavours – such an easy meal to enjoy for a mid-week dinner but that you could totally serve to guest as well!

    1. Megan

      Thanks Sylvie. Yes it is a great easy dinner that is suitable for most occasions.

  14. 5 stars
    It is so cold here at the moment, and this looks just like the delicious bowl of warming comfort food I would love to enjoy for my dinner tonight 🙂

    1. Megan

      Yes it is pretty cold here too and a great recipe to have to warm you up

  15. This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

  16. Lynda

    5 stars
    What a taco flavour explosion . This shredded chicken won the family over big time.
    I can see a few different ways to enjoy this shredded chicken and I think lettuce tacos for lunch are now on the menu with the leftovers.
    It was really quick and easy to make in the pressure cooker .
    Thanks for such a delicious recipe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating