This Instant Pot Salsa Chicken recipe is a quick, easy, and delicious meal made with just three ingredients: salsa, taco seasoning, and chicken breasts. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken that can be used in a variety of dishes like tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowl meals. The Instant Pot makes cooking effortless, ensuring the chicken stays juicy and infused with the rich flavors of salsa and seasoning. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a dish for meal prep, this salsa chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:
- 1 16-ounce jar of salsa (your choice of flavor)
- 1 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 breasts depending on size)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Start by adding the salsa and taco seasoning into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine, then add the chicken breasts to the pot. Flip the chicken a few times to coat it well with the salsa mixture. Do not add water.
- Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the vent is set to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 21 minutes. The pot will pressurize, then the cooking time will begin.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a Quick Release to release the pressure. Be cautious as the steam will be very hot.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces.
- Combine Chicken with Salsa: Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and stir to mix the shredded chicken with the remaining salsa. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken absorbs the flavor.
- Serve: Your salsa chicken is ready! Serve it as-is or use it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, or over rice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is the ultimate easy meal, with just three ingredients and minimal prep. The Instant Pot does all the work, ensuring the chicken is tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. It’s a quick, healthy, and versatile dish that can be used in so many ways—perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Whether you serve it in tacos, nachos, or bowls, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Tips
- Shredding the Chicken: After cooking, the chicken should easily shred with two forks. If you prefer even finer shreds, you can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder salsa chicken, use a mild salsa and taco seasoning. For extra heat, try a spicy salsa or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Don’t Overcook: Make sure to follow the 21-minute cook time for perfectly tender chicken. Overcooking can cause the chicken to dry out.
Variations and Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, you can swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Homemade Salsa: You can make your own salsa using fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro for an even fresher taste.
- Seasoning Alternatives: If you don’t have taco seasoning, you can make your own using chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Increase the cook time to 25 minutes for frozen chicken.
What if I don’t have taco seasoning? You can make your own taco seasoning with common pantry spices such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
How can I make this recipe spicier? Add more chili powder or use a hot salsa and spicy taco seasoning for an extra kick.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve your Salsa Chicken in tacos with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
- Make burrito bowls with rice, beans, and salsa chicken, topped with fresh veggies.
- Use the chicken for nachos—layer tortilla chips with salsa chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete dinner.
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken (Only 3 Ingredients)
6
servings10
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 16-ounce jar of salsa (your choice of flavor)
1 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 breasts depending on size)
Directions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Start by adding the salsa and taco seasoning into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine, then add the chicken breasts to the pot. Flip the chicken a few times to coat it well with the salsa mixture. Do not add water.
- Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the vent is set to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 21 minutes. The pot will pressurize, then the cooking time will begin.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a Quick Release to release the pressure. Be cautious as the steam will be very hot.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces.
- Combine Chicken with Salsa: Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and stir to mix the shredded chicken with the remaining salsa. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken absorbs the flavor.
- Serve: Your salsa chicken is ready! Serve it as-is or use it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, or over rice.
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