What You Will Need

• olive oil – Avocado oil works great here too.
• yellow onion – The perfect ingredient to add flavors that compliment the mild chicken and robust salsa.
• garlic – You’ll notice the subtle spicy, nutty, and earthy flavors throughout.
• kosher salt – Just a bit to enhance all the flavors.
• ground black pepper – This amps up the bold salsa flavors.
• chunky salsa – Use your favorite jar of salsa. Just be sure to select the chunky variety, as it holds up the best during the cooking process.
• chicken breast – Be sure to select skinless and boneless chicken breasts to make shredding quick and simple.

How To Make Salsa Chicken

Start by gathering and prepping your ingredients. Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and once hot, add your oil and allow it to coat the bottom of the pan. Add your diced onion and minced garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir your ingredients around for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the sauté function.

Next, add the raw chicken breasts to the Instant Pot.

Then top it all with the chunky salsa. Be sure to move the chicken around so that each piece is fully coated with the salsa. Place the lid on your Instant Pot, set it to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. 

After 20 minutes of cooking, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes and then carefully manually release.

Remove the cooked chicken breasts to a clean plate and shred them using two forks. Once complete, place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and mix it throughly into the salsa mixture.

Recipe Tip:

Add fresh cilantro and fresh lime juice to amp up the flavor!

What To Serve With Salsa Chicken

There are so many different ways to serve this simple and delicious salsa chicken! Because of the salsa flavors, we love to use this recipe to make chicken tacos or chicken burritos topped with our light and refreshing cilantro lime sauce or creamy avocado sauce. Or simplify things by making burrito bowls with a base of cilantro lime rice or white rice. No matter what dish you chose, here are some toppings to help you make this salsa chicken into a complete and tasty meal.

• Cilantro – A fresh herb that brings notes of lemon and pepper.
• Chopped jalapeños – For those who are looking for some heat!
• grilled corn – Simply grill up some corn on the cobs and slice off the corn kernels for a juice pop of flavor and color.
• fresh lime juice – A bright citrusy flavor that cuts through the more savory flavors.
• black beans or refried beans – A hearty legume to add texture, flavor, and even more protein.
• sliced purple and green cabbage – For a mild tasting crunch.
• romaine or butter lettuce – A great option for lettuce wraps.
• mango pineapple salsa – The sweet and savory flavors balance each other perfectly.
• sour cream – A simple condiment that adds a creamy light flavor.
• cheese – Because who doesn’t love melted cheese on top of chicken or any savory recipe for that matter?
• tortilla chips – Just imagine this chicken on top of crunchy chips with some melted cheese!
• avocado slices – A creamy, mild topping to pair with flavorful protein.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to five days.

Recipe FAQs

• cooking time – The cooking time listed in the recipe card refers to the Instant Pot method. The slow cooker method will take 3-4 hours on high and 4-8 hours on low.
• storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to five days.
• crockpot/slow cooker method – Bring a sauté pan to medium high heat on stove and add oil to coat the pan. Add garlic and onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then stir while allowing them to cook, about 2 minutes. Scrape onion and garlic into crock pot. Add chicken breasts and pour salsa on top. Cook on High for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken and shred with fork. Return to slow cooker.

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Other Instant Pot Recipes You Might Like

• BBQ Chicken
• Salsa Verde Chicken
• Pork Shoulder
• Ribs
• Mashed Potatoes

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