Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos (With Frozen Chicken)
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Instant pot salsa chicken tacos make a healthy and filling meal that will please the entire family. I love that you can spend just 5 minutes of prep work on this meal and come back to perfectly cooked instant pot chicken breast recipe.
Throw together your favorite taco toppings and you are all set to enjoy these instant pot salsa chicken tacos for taco night! (You may also like our recipe for instant pot taco meat)
New to the instant pot? Check out our instant pot guide here.
How to make Instant Pot chicken tacos
1.Start by whisking together a mixture of salsa, chicken broth, and taco seasoning. Pour it over frozen chicken breasts in the instant pot electric pressure cooker.
2.Cook the chicken breasts on “poultry” for 25 minutes.
3.Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
4.Remove the salsa chicken from the instant pot and shred.
5.Serve in warmed crispy taco shells and top with shredded lettuce, cheese, tomato, and avocado.
You might also like our recipe for instant pot taco stuffed peppers or Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas!
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos are a family favorite
I love making this instant pot chicken breast recipe for several reasons. One of the reasons is because it uses my favorite seasoning mix, ever.
McCormick’s taco seasoning It’s such a simple blend, but I love it so much! I actually buy it in bulk from Costco and keep it on my counter next to the salt and pepper.
There are many recipes out there for homemade taco seasoning (and that will totally work for instant pot salsa chicken tacos, too), but I just love the consistent flavor and ease of using this taco seasoning blend.
The other reason why this recipe continues to be a family favorite is that the leftovers can be re-purposed in so many different ways. This recipe is great for busy weeknights because you don’t have to plan ahead with defrosted chicken.
If you’re like me and consistently forget to defrost the chicken, then you might like this huge list of instant pot frozen chicken recipes.
Uses for leftover instant pot salsa chicken tacos
- Chicken quesadillas: Mix leftover chicken with a Mexican blend of grated cheese. Heat up on the stove in a tortilla. Easy peazy lunch.
- Chicken tostadas: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place large tortillas on a cookie sheet. Top with refried beans, leftover chicken, and cheese. Bake for 8 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Top with sour cream and scallions.
- Mexican scramble: combine whisked eggs and leftover chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until eggs are cooked, but still soft. Sprinkle with cheese and stir to melt.
- Chicken freezer burritos: Combine leftover chicken, refried beans, and cheese in the center of a large tortilla. Roll into a burrito and wrap in foil. Freeze. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes. (additional freezer instructions can be found in this post)
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts frozen, boneless, skinless
- 16 ounce jar chunky salsa
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup taco seasoning 1 packet
- For serving: 8 crispy taco shells shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, chopped tomato and avocado.
Instructions
- Place frozen chicken breasts in the bowl of the instant pot.
- Whisk the chunky salsa, chicken broth, and taco seasoning together.
- Pour the salsa mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Set Instant pot electric pressure cooker to poultry - 25 minutes.
- Natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
- Remove chicken and shred.
- Serve instant pot salsa chicken tacos in taco shells; topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
Video
Nutrition
Other delicious recipes:
- Grilled Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Beef Tacos
- Instant Pot Spare Ribs
- Taco Stuffed Shells
- Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
Do you use all 16 oz of salsa or just 1 cup? The recipe says both quantities.
Hi Sarah! 16 oz of salsa. I will update my post. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. Hopefully, I responded in time for you to try out this recipe.
This looks so good and my family loves tacos! I really think I need to get an instant pot!!!
I’m new to IP. If I increase the quantity of meat, do I increase the cooking time?
Sorry – I see that someone already asked. THANKS!
I’m glad you figured it out, Jennifer. 🙂
What’s the cool time of chicken is not frozen?
Cook not cool
Hi January! The cook time for raw chicken is 15 minutes.
Would you double the liquid as well?
Hi Heather! Yes, double the liquid. 🙂
Thanks for answering this. Just had a panic attack trying to figure out how long to cook mine. It’s for dinner!!!
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
Hello. Can you double this recipe? And if so, do you increase the cook time? Thanks!
Hi Kirstin. Yes, you can double it, the cook time stays the same.
I followed the recipe to a T and it said “burn” on the display. Should I add in more chicken broth next time?
Hi Bri. Oh no! I’m so sorry this happened! You will want to open your lid, scrape off any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan (and discard those parts if badly burned) add more broth, and start again.
I just made this for my very first instant pot meal. It was amazing!!!!!
Mikkell, I am so glad you liked it. It continues to be one of our very favorite meals. I would love for you to join our Instant Pot Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312609505882384/
I have the lux60 and it doesn’t have a poultry button. Do you think the meat button will work?
Hi Carrie! Yes. The meat button will work.
I had to cook chicken longer than 25 minutes. Maybe added 10 minutes, but forgot to increase to high from medium heat. turned out great
These sound easy and good Aileen! Thanks for sharing at our first Instant Pot linkup!
yes, they were easy and good. I did change them up a bit(it’s what I do!!) I used individual seasonings instead of taco mix, too much cumin for me. I added a little (very little!) cilantro, cumin, onion flakes, garlic powder, dash of chili powder (doesn’t like me anymore). mainstay stuff. I so had a hard time only eating 3!
Joyce, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your tweets and your experience with the cook time. I’m sure your comments will help more than one person. ?