Instant Pot Taco Chicken

Instant Pot Taco Chicken full of wonderful Mexican flavor, super tender, and is fantastic on everything from a taco to nachos to burritos and more!

This super simple recipe is also for those days when you need something tasty and that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Simple prep, quick cook time, and out-of-this-world flavor!

Let's get started!

Jump to:

• Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
• What You'll Need
• How To Make It (It's Really Easy)
• Serving Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Variations and Substitutions
• Tips and Tricks
• Slow Cooker Instructions
• Storage and Reheating Instructions
• Instant Pot Taco Chicken Recipe
• Other Fantastic Instant Pot Recipes

This Instant Pot Taco Chicken recipe is an amazing option for my Chicken Burrito Bowls or a Chicken Taquitos variation!

Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!

The big question is what to do with this wonderfully tasty, super easy Instant Pot Taco Chicken situation. The options are endless really. This recipe is such a perfect meal prep option that I almost always have it in our fridge to make lunches and dinners that much easier. Everyone loves it and has their own variation of how they serve it.

Try this recipe one time and you will see why I reach for it so often. It's the tried and true get-dinner-on-the-table-in-a-hurry recipe if there ever was one!

What You'll Need

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - My preferred cut of chicken. You can also use chicken breasts.
• Mexican-style Stewed Tomatoes - If you can find this, the flavor is fantastic, but any canned tomato situation will do!
• Onion and Garlic - We can't cook without it, can we?!
• Bay Leaf - Give the taco chicken an earthy, herbal note that is fantastic!
• Taco Seasoning - Use your favorite or make your own.

How To Make It (It's Really Easy)

Let us take a moment to celebrate how easy this recipe is. I mean, really. Minimal ingredients with endless possibilities and a ton of flavor is the name of this game. Here we go!

• First, grab that instant pot. Dust it off and plug it in. Assuming it needs to be dusted. If not, go straight to the plug in part.
• Next, add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the instant pot. If you prefer a chicken breast, go for it! You do you, boo.
• Add one can of Mexican-style stewed tomatoes. Fill that can up with water and add that to the instant pot. We don't have time to dirty another dish. Use the can.
• Chuck in a medium-sized onion. Don't worry about cutting it down too much. Onion chunks will do. Chuck in the chunks and move on.
• Throw in 4-5 garlic cloves. Or, as many as your heart tells you to add. Garlic gets sweeter and less offensive when it cooks. You won't overwhelm anything or anyone here.
• One bay leaf goes into the pot. If the leaves are small, add two.
• Add 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Click the link. That's my recipe for taco seasoning. It's the best. Promise.
• Close the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high pressure cook for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, let the pressure release naturally for at least another 10 minutes.
• Off with the lid. Shred the chicken in the wonderful juices and serve. Keep reading for more ideas on how to consume this meal prep hero.

Serving Ideas

Nachos - Crispy tortilla chips piled high with the shredded Instant Pot taco chicken mix and completely covered in cheese. Throw that into the oven to melt and get bubbly. Guacamole, pico de gallo, fresh salsas, sour cream, queso, fresco cheese, refried beans are just a few things that come to mind for toppings.

Quesadillas and Burritos - Grab a large flour tortilla and spoon on the chicken mixture with thinly sliced onions and peppers. Add your favorite melty cheese. Fold the tortilla in half (or roll it up) and place in a buttered skillet to get nice and toasty.

Taco Bowls - Spoon the Instant Pot taco chicken onto a mound of rice (or cauliflower rice). Add toppings like radishes, jalapeño slices, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and fresh cilantro leaves.

Chicken Taco Soup - Add chicken broth straight to the chicken mixture in the instant pot (keep warm mode will be perfect here). Add a can of black beans and a can of corn. Serve in bowls with cheese for topping and chips for dipping!

Chicken Taco Salad - Add shredded Instant Pot taco chicken to a pile of fresh leafy greens. I love to add a mix of pico de gallo and Mexican crema for a simple dressing. Slices of avocado and diced jalapeño are big favorites. You could even add a healthy scoop of my Mexican Street Corn Salad for color and freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations and Substitutions

• Use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs for.
• Use your favorite taco seasoning or click here for my version
• Make it spicy by adding cayenne or chili flakes. Chipotle in adobo would be incredible, too!
• Use a can of diced tomatoes and chili instead of stew tomatoes.

Tips and Tricks

• Use the Instant Pot Taco Chicken on everything from nachos to burritos and salads.
• Spoon the chicken over Pinto Beans and rice for a wonderfully comforting rice bowl.
• Top with avocado, tomatoes, cheese, cilantro, and sour cream. Pico De Gallo or Salsa Verde would be fantastic salsa options.
• You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to help shred the chicken. Just remove the chicken from the juices after cooking, shred, and then return to juices.

Slow Cooker Instructions

You can definitely make this recipe in the slow cooker, you'll just ned a longer cook time. Use the same ingredients and put them all in the slow cooker for four hours on high or six to seven on low. 

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Leftovers will stay good up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
• This would be a fantastic recipe to make in bulk and freeze. Double or even triple the recipe and divide into freezer containers. Freeze what you don't need immediately and thaw later for a super convenient meal option!
• Reheat on the stovetop or the microwave.

If you guys make this Instant Pot Taco Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!

Thank you!

I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Instant Pot Taco Chicken recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Happy Cooking!

-Rufus

Rufus for Real is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I may earn a commission, with no additional cost to you, if you purchase through those links. 

Other Fantastic Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Carnitas - It's the pork version of the above recipe. We love this one and I have a fresh corn salsa to go with it!

Instant Pot Pot Roast - It's classic beef pot roast in about an hour. So good!

Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth - This is the only way I make chicken bone broth now. The taste is amazing and the quality of the broth is superior.

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Orzo - A fantastic dinner option for those busy nights. It's like a quick and easy take on chicken and rice!