Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot shredded chicken is your building block for easy weeknight dinners and meal prep lunches. Tender, juicy, and ready in an instant, you can do anything with this recipe!

Instant Pot shredded chicken prevents that dreaded 5 o’clock what-the-heck-am-I-making-for-dinner feeling. Instead of grabbing your laptop and ordering takeout, you’ll have a plan!

I like to make a double or triple batch of shredded chicken in the Instant Pot when I have time on Sunday, then I plan the next several days’ worth of meals around it. (Don’t worry, I share some ideas below for inspiration!) It’s juicy, flavorful, and you can do so many different things with it, you never feel like you’re eating leftovers!

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe

• Endless dinner options. It bears repeating: you can do just about ANYTHING with shredded chicken! Throw it into a store-bought salad mix if you’re not in the mood to put in a lot of effort, or use it in place of chicken in your favorite pastas, casseroles, and Mexican dishes.
• Quick and easy. You only need 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes of work to make this Instant Pot shredded chicken. 
• Tender and juicy. The Instant Pot ensures that the chicken is cooked to perfection—no dry, rubbery chicken breasts here! 

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Chicken breast – I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep it easy.
• Chicken broth – This keeps the chicken moist and infuses it with flavor. Vegetable broth will work too if you happen to have it on hand, or try my Instant Pot chicken bone broth.
• Seasonings – Garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt ensure this shredded chicken is anything but bland.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs to Make Shredded Chicken?

Prefer chicken thighs? You can use them to make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot! I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they may take a bit longer to cook than chicken breasts, but they’re also less likely to over-cook.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in an Instant Pot

• Get started. Add the chicken breast, broth, and seasonings to the Instant Pot. Stir and secure the lid.
• Cook. Turn to high pressure and cook for 13 minutes.
• Release. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release it the rest of the way.
• Shred. Remove the chicken and transfer it to a cutting board. Use 2 forks to shred it.
• Finish. Stir the chicken back into the liquid, then use it however you like!

Tips for Success

• Buy similar size chicken breasts. For best results, try to use chicken breasts that are similar in size so they’re finished cooking at the same time.
• Natural pressure release is key. A natural pressure release helps the chicken stay moist and juicy.
• Don't skip the broth. It’s better than water because it makes the chicken not only moist, but also flavorful! Adding the chicken back to the broth after shredding keeps it moist during storage, too.

Ideas for Using Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

• Chicken tacos. Add taco seasoning and serve the chicken in warm tortillas with avocado slices, diced tomatoes, and your favorite taco toppings.
• BBQ chicken sandwiches. Stir your Instant Pot shredded chicken into your favorite BBQ sauce, then serve it on a toasted bun with coleslaw.
• Soup. Use the chicken to make my chicken taco soup or easy chicken noodle soup.
• Enchiladas. Add chicken to this black bean enchilada recipe for extra protein.
• Burritos and burrito bowls. Meal prep burrito bowls are one of my favorites for lunch!
• Salads. Shredded chicken is a tasty addition to almost any salad, from massaged kale salad to Caesar salad.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerate the shredded chicken in an airtight container with the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot. It will last up to 4 days in the fridge. 

If you’re using the shredded chicken in a recipe like soup or enchiladas, the cooking process will reheat the chicken. Otherwise, reheat the shredded chicken with the broth on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

For longer storage, you can freeze Instant Pot shredded chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

More Ideas for Meal Prep

• Instant Pot Spicy Black Beans
• How to Batch Cook for Easy Meal Prep
• How to Make the Best Soft Boiled Eggs
• 5 Simple Meal Prep Tips for Beginners
• The Best Meal Prep Containers that are Non-Toxic & Safe