Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

If you’re looking for a simple, healthy pressure cooker recipe this is it! You can literally throw it together in 5 minutes and serve on top of rice or shredded inside of tortillas. It’s now added it to our long list of under 30 minute Instant Pot recipes for you to try with your family.

I got my pot when it was brand new and there were no recipes for it online (yes I’m that old). I got to experimenting that year and added so many really easy one pot meals like this one where you only need a protein, seasonings and a bit of liquid to make a meal. This is still our favorite years later.

Ninja Foodi Salsa Chicken

Using this machine doesn’t change the cook time so just follow below no matter what you have to cook. Made as one of our Ninja Foodi recipes you just want to use the lid that is not attached. That one seals shut to pressure cook on high until the meat is fork tender.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken with Frozen Chicken

If you need to start with frozen chicken in Instant Pot I can help you make this with meat right out of the freezer too. This is a great option when I have had a forgetful day. That means you can still be the savior of meal time when everyone is hangry around 6pm. 😉

Ingredient Notes

I do add a few more minutes if using frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts because they cannot be sliced like if they were defrosted and I want them to shred easily.

You do need a touch of liquid but typically what is in the jar is enough because the meat will release juices as they cook as well. I like a chunky Salsa (mild or medium), what we use for Crockpot salsa chicken too.

For the bit of added liquid you can use either water or chicken broth, just a touch is all you need. The salsa juices are in there too remember. 😉 Then to add easy flavor just dump in some taco seasoning right from the packet or homemade taco seasoning.

What else can you add?

There are a few other choices you could make and add in there too. 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans and a can of drained kernel corn works too. I do prefer frozen vegetables so they hold up their texture a bit more but canned works too.

The two other things I like to add if I have them on hand are red and green Bell peppers sliced, and some white or yellow Onions sliced are nice for added flavor and texture too. But optional…… I will buy some small flour tortillas, shredded cheese and a few avocados with sour cream if I am making tacos.

How Long to Cook Salsa Chicken in Instant Pot

You only need about 13 minutes to cook medium sized boneless skinless breasts to tender and get them to fall apart. If frozen I would increase the timing to 16 minutes but you would need to choose small sizes that are separated from one another to be successful.

Can you double this recipe?

I used 2 large boneless chicken chicken breasts. You could easily add up to 4-5 depending on their size. If using frozen chicken breasts the cook time is basically the same, I like to add another 3 minutes just to make sure you can shred the chicken easily.

Some people have been apprehensive because they say you need at least 1.5 cups of water or cooking liquid to cook anything or you’ll get the burn notice. This is not true. The chicken will produce chicken broth when cooked, and the salsa has at least 1/2 cup of juices.

Other Instant Pot chicken Recipes you’ll Love

This Instant Pot chicken recipe is the perfect quick lunch or dinner your whole family will surely love. It’s one of those meals that I make on my oops days. Forgot to defrost meat the night before? NO problem, but it works with fresh from the store too with this or our Instant Pot chicken cacciatore.

You can also make our simple and tender Instant Pot teriyaki chicken dish which we normally cut into cubes to begin with but will soak up the sauce well either way. If you want to batch cook I would pressure cook breasts, shred, and then use it for meals in the next few days.