Instant Pot Taco Chicken is for those days when you need something tasty and that comes together in less than 30 minutes. This chicken recipe is just that! Simple prep, quick cook time, and out-of-this-world flavor that can be transformed into everything from nachos to salads to quesadillas!
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Table of Contents
This Instant Pot Taco Chicken Recipe is an amazing option for my Chicken Burrito Bowls or Chicken Taquitos variation!
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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.
instant pot taco chicken ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Mexican-style Stewed Tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bay Leaf
- Taco Seasoning
- Water
how to make instant pot taco chicken
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.
recipe frequently asked questions
What Do I Do With Taco Chicken?
Nachos - Crispy tortilla chips piled high with the shredded 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 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 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 for color and freshness.
Is the recipe gluten and/or dairy-free?
This recipe is completely void of both gluten and dairy. Enjoy!
Would this recipe freeze well?
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!
recipe variations
- Use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.
- Use your favorite taco seasoning or click here for my version
instant pot taco chicken 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.
- If cooking the chicken thighs from frozen, add 3 minutes of cook time.
kitchen essentials
Easy Salad Recipes
Recipe
Instant Pot Taco Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-2½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 14 oz can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
- 1 14 oz can water
- 1 medium onion, cut into large chunks
- 4-5 cloves garlic
- 1-2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to an Instant Pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow Instant Pot to depressurize naturally after cook time for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove lid and shred chicken in the cooking juices.
- Serve as desired and enjoy!
Nutrition
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.
Rufus for Real is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
other reader favorites
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- Homemade Taco Seasoning
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- Shrimp Taco Bowls
- Instant Pot Italian Roast Beef
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!
Carla Thompson says
I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed this chicken!! I doubled the recipe and two days later we are eating it, in several different ways!! My husband smelled this cooking and was literally waiting by the instapot with a bowl and spoon. He ate it as soup. We’ve had nachos, quesadillas (I took a meal kit for these to a friend) and taco salad. Yummy!! So easy!!
Rufus says
I am so very happy you guys like this recipe! That means the absolute world to me. Have a wonderful day!
Carla Thompson says
I made a double recipe of this last week. We loved it! My husband was standing next to me waiting for me to open the instant pot with a bowl and spoon in his hand. He had been smelling it and couldn’t wait! He ate his first taste as soup and loved it. We’ve enjoyed nachos and quesadillas as well. I made a meal kit of quesadillas and took to a friend. We have thoroughly enjoyed this and will be making it again.
Rufus says
I cannot tell you how happy this makes me! I'm so glad you loved it!