Gluten-Free Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

Do you love Mexican shredded chicken, but don’t have time to cook it slow cooker? Or maybe you’re looking for a gluten-free shredded chicken recipe that can be made in the Instant Pot. Well, look no further! This recipe is perfect for you.

It’s quick and easy to make, and best of all, it’s gluten-free. You will love the authentic Mexican flavor of this shredded chicken. It’s perfect for tacos or served with rice.

Mexican Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot 

Gluten-free Mexican shredded chicken is a quick instant pot recipe and an easy way to enjoy a classic dish. Made with shredded chicken, gluten-free taco seasoning, salsa, and other simple ingredients, this shredded chicken is perfect for tacos or served over rice for a delicious and filling meal.

Whether you’re cooking it in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, this shredded chicken is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So what are you waiting for? Give this gluten-free shredded chicken recipe a try today!​

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe

This recipe is so easy to love because of how quick and easy to make thanks to the instant pot. You can serve this recipe in so many ways; this instant pot Mexican shredded chicken recipe is perfect for tacos or served over cilantro lime rice (which is my favorite).

This Mexican shredded chicken recipe is gluten-free and made with simple, healthy ingredients so you don’t have to worry about making this dish a weekly staple for your family if you are trying to cook healthy.

To top it all off, this Mexican shredded chicken recipe is delicious and boasts an authentic Mexican flavor — you won’t be able to put it down!

Instant Pot Authentic Mexican Shredded Chicken

If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic shredded chicken recipe, look no further than this Mexican shredded chicken. Made in either the slow cooker or instant pot, this shredded chicken is perfect for tacos or served over rice for a filling meal that everyone will love.

With simple ingredients like shredded chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning, this dish has all the authentic Mexican flavors you love. So, let’s dive in!

What is an instant pot?

An instant pot is a type of electric pressure cooker. It uses high pressure and heat to cook ingredients faster than traditional cooking methods. Instant pots typically have multiple cooking functions, including the ability to braise, steam, saute, pressure cook, and more depending on which model you buy. They are also quite versatile and can be used for everything from preparing shredded chicken to making soups and stews.

What is the difference between an instant pot and a slow cooker?

An instant pot is a versatile cooking tool that can be used to quickly and easily prepare shredded chicken dishes, like our gluten-free instant pot Mexican shredded chicken recipe. With its fast cook times and simple preparation steps, the instant pot is perfect for busy home cooks who want to enjoy delicious, healthy meals with minimal effort.

A slow cooker, on the other hand, is best suited for long and low cooking methods. This makes it a great choice for making shredded chicken dishes that require longer cooking times, such as our slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken recipe. Whether you prefer instant pot or slow cooker shredded chicken, this recipe can be adapted for either cooking method.

If you love shredded chicken and crave bold, Mexican flavors in your meals, this gluten-free instant pot shredded chicken recipe is sure to be a hit. With its simple prep time and delicious results, you’ll love the convenience and versatility of this easy cooking method!

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

Chicken breasts: I prefer using fresh chicken breasts, but you can opt to use frozen chicken breasts if it is all you have.

Salsa: You can use your favorite kind of salsa, whether it is homemade or store-bought. I always buy a simple, medium salsa, but you can use mild or spicy if you prefer.

Taco seasoning: You can use one packet of store-bought taco seasoning, or you can make your own taco seasoning. This is my favorite taco seasoning. You can use either a mild or a spicy taco seasoning mix depending on your preference. Make sure the taco seasoning you are using is gluten-free.

Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is so important to this recipe. You can swap fresh cilantro for dried cilantro, but the flavor won’t be as strong. You can play with the amount of cilantro in this recipe as much or as little cilantro as you like in this shredded chicken recipe.

Lime juice: Lime juice is a crucial ingredient in this shredded chicken recipe. The citrusy flavor adds brightness and freshness to the shredded chicken that is hard to beat.

Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper can be used to taste.

Can I make the Mexican taco seasoning?

Yes! If you prefer, you can make your own taco seasoning mix for this shredded chicken. There are many DIY versions to create your own gluten-free taco seasoning. Make sure you store your homemade taco seasoning in an air-tight jar or shaker bottle.

If you are using your own recipe for taco seasoning, you will need to measure how much taco seasoning to use in this recipe. Grab your kitchen scale and measure 1.31 ounces or 37 grams of homemade taco seasoning to use in this Mexican shredded chicken recipe.

Can you use frozen chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken in this recipe, although cooking times and temperature settings may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your frozen chicken breasts.

Using frozen shredded chicken in an instant pot is a great way to save time and hassle while still enjoying delicious shredded chicken recipes.

To cook frozen chicken breasts in an instant pot, simply add your frozen chicken breasts to the insert along with any other ingredients or seasonings that are called for in the recipe.

Then, set your instant pot to cook on high pressure for an additional 5 minutes. Make sure the pressure valve is set to sealing, and let the instant pot do its magic!

After your shredded chicken is cooked through, use tongs or a slotted spoon to shred the chicken breasts right inside the instant pot.

How to Make Gluten-Free Mexican Shredded Chicken

Add the water, salsa, lime juice, fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper to your instant pot. Mix the ingredients together before adding your chicken breasts to the instant pot, then add the chicken breasts. Spread the chicken breasts out to ensure even cooking. 

Instant Pot Settings for Mexican Shredded Chicken 

Put the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the seal is locked. Set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. (If your chicken breasts are frozen, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.)

The Instant Pot takes about 20 minutes to pressurize before starting the cooking time. Be sure to allow for this time in your cooking plan. 

After it is done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10-12 minutes. You will know when the pressure is fully released when the float valve on the lid has dropped. You can also use the quick-release feature to release the pressure, but it may make your chicken a bit tougher than if you let the pressure release naturally.

How Long To Cook Mexican Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot 

This recipe calls for 3.5 pounds of chicken breast and is cooked in the Instant Pot for 15 minutes on high pressure. If you choose to use frozen chicken instead of fresh, you can add 5 minutes to the cooking time resulting in cooking for 20 minutes on high pressure. 

Shred the Chicken Breasts 

Transfer the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot to a cutting board. Use a pair of forks or meat shredders to shred the chicken breasts. Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot to incorporate it with the juice. 

I prefer using Bear Paw Meat Claws to shred my chicken because they make the process much faster, but you can also opt to use two forks if you do not have any meat shredders. Either method will give you relatively the same result.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Mexican Shredded Chicken

My favorite way to serve this shredded chicken is over a bed of cilantro lime rice for a delicious and wholesome meal. Alternatively, you can use this Mexican shredded chicken in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or other Mexican dishes.

Here is a full list of how you can serve this gluten-free shredded chicken:

• Shredded chicken over a bed of cilantro lime rice
• Shredded chicken tacos or burritos
• Shredded chicken enchiladas
• Shredded chicken and cheddar quesadillas
• Mexican salad topped with shredded chicken
• Taco or tortilla soup with shredded chicken

Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice 

If you want to serve this Mexican shredded chicken over cilantro lime rice, I suggest using my recipe for cilantro lime rice — it’s to die for!

I always make a double or triple batch to keep some leftovers in the fridge for lunches and dinners. It’s almost better after sitting in the fridge for a day!

How to Store Gluten-Free Mexican Shredded Chicken 

In the Fridge

To store shredded chicken in the fridge, place the leftovers in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. You can also portion it out into meal-sized containers so that you can reheat individual portions to make meal prep even easier. This Mexican shredded chicken will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

In the Freezer

If you plan on freezing shredded Mexican chicken, be sure to let it cool completely before freezing. Then, store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 3 months. You can also portion it out into individual servings so that you can reheat and enjoy shredded chicken anytime you need a quick meal!

Reheating Instructions

To reheat the shredded chicken, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warmed throughout. You can also reheat shredded chicken on the stovetop by adding a bit of water or broth to keep it from drying out, then cooking over medium heat until heated through.

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken 

Slow cooker shredded chicken is a great way to take advantage of the convenience and ease of a slow cooker, and you can definitely adapt this recipe from an instant pot to a slow cooker or crockpot.

Simply add all your ingredients (including shredded chicken breast, salsa, spices, and more) to the slow cooker and let it cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours until the chicken is fall-apart tender.

This shredded Mexican chicken makes an excellent filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or even shredded chicken salads!

Tools to Make Gluten-Free Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

To make shredded chicken in an instant pot, you will need a few basic kitchen tools, such as:

• Instant Pot

• Crockpot

• Measuring cups
• Large mixing spoon

• Meat shredders

• Kitchen Tongs

Can you overcook chicken in an instant pot? 

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the temperature setting you use when cooking the shredded chicken and the texture that you are looking for.

Some people prefer their shredded chicken to be very soft and tender, while others may prefer it to have more bite or texture. In general, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines for time and temperature, you should be able to cook shredded chicken perfectly in an instant pot.

For those looking for very soft shredded chicken, the best instant pot settings are usually those that use lower temperatures and shorter cooking times, such as “low” or “poultry”. For those who prefer their shredded chicken to have more bite or texture, it may be best to use higher temperatures and longer cooking times, such as “high” or “stew”.

So if you are looking for perfectly shredded chicken every time, it is important to take the temperature and cooking time into account when using your instant pot. With a little practice, however, you should be able to achieve the perfect shredded chicken texture every time!​

Can you make this recipe in a crock pot or slow cooker? 

Yes, you can easily make shredded chicken in a crock pot or slow cooker. Simply follow the same instructions as outlined above, adjusting your cooking time and temperature according to your preferred shredded chicken texture. I suggest cooking on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours until the chicken is fall-apart tender.

Some people even choose to cook shredded chicken in the instant pot first and then transfer it over to a crock pot for slow cooking, which can be a great way to save time and effort!​

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Why is my chicken rubbery?

If your shredded chicken is coming out rubbery and tough, it may be overcooked. Alternatively, this can sometimes be a result of over-shredding the chicken or using a high-temperature setting for too long. To avoid rubbery shredded chicken in the future, make sure to carefully monitor your cooking times and temperatures, and only shred the chicken when it is fully cooked. Additionally, try shredding the chicken by hand with a fork instead of using a food processor.

How do I know if my shredded chicken is done?

There are several different ways to check if your shredded chicken is done cooking in an instant pot. One simple method is to insert a meat thermometer into the center of a shredded chicken breast and look for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Another option is to check that the shredded chicken can easily be shredded with a fork or knife. Finally, you can also test for tenderness by piercing a shredded chicken breast with a fork – if it pulls apart easily, it is likely done cooking.​

So if you are looking for perfectly shredded chicken every time, the Instant Pot is a great tool to have in your kitchen! Just follow these simple guidelines and enjoy delicious shredded chicken whenever you want.​

Can you cook frozen chicken breasts in an instant pot? 

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in an instant pot. Just be sure to leave enough time for the chicken to come up to pressure before cooking. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts and how cold they are, it can take anywhere from 20 – 30 minutes for them to reach full pressure.

I also suggest adding about 5 minutes to your cook time when using frozen chicken breasts instead of fresh chicken breasts.

Don’t forget to tag me @glutenfreedailybread on Instagram and leave a review below if you make this gluten-free instant pot shredded chicken.

Pin this recipe to your Pinterest recipe boards to save it for later! Happy baking/cooking!

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