• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Easy Dinners > Chicken

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat

    Published: May 7, 2018 · Modified: Oct 27, 2022 by Melissa · 361 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Image of Instant Pot Chopotle Chicken Taco Meat

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat is made with just a few simple ingredients, but it packs a ton of flavor and is done in about 25 minutes!

    Instant Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat

    The easiest and most flavorful chicken taco meat made in the instant pot (or slow cooker) with chicken breast or thigh meat to turn Taco Tuesday into something to celebrate! Seriously - so much flavor, so fast. What's not to love?! Chicken taco meat is something that I love to throw in the mix when we get tired of our standard ground beef tacos. This recipe is one of my favorites because it's full of flavor thanks to chipotle sauce and it's so simple - anyone could throw it together. Long live eating all the tacos! And fun fact, you can cook your corn on the cob to serve with (or on the tacos) right along with the chicken. Instructions follow.

    I could write a whole lot about tacos because you know I love them. I love me some easy chicken tacos (think food truck), lentil tacos, and crispy pork tacos (made in the Instant Pot). There's just something magical about wrapping up really flavorful food in a warm tortilla and slathering it with all the guacamole and salsa it can hold. Why is it so good?!

    I Love My Instant Pot

    I contacted the folks at Instant Pot a while ago to see if we could work together. It was their busy season and I didn't hear anything back so I just purchased two Duo 8 Quart Instant Pots so that I could start using them in my kitchen and develop recipes for you all. I have LOVED them. I have a few kitchen gadgets, but my Instant Pot gets used as much as my slow cooker and blender which is really saying something. It makes perfect hard boiled eggs (even from my fresh backyard chicken eggs which are normally a nightmare to peel), I use it to cook beans in bulk (and then freeze them for later use), and I love to make broths and stocks in it. It is awesome.

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat is made with just a few simple ingredients but packs tons of flavor and is done in about 25 minutes.

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat Tips and Tricks

    • You can make this in the slow cooker by combining all the ingredients together and letting them cook on low for 5-6 hours until the chicken is tender and ready to be shredded.
    • My tiny store carries the chipotle sauce, so I think it will be easy for you to find. It's delicious! Here's what you are looking for. We didn't find this recipe to be overly spicy. If you'd like more heat, add more of the chipotle sauce! Double the amount if you'd like it hotter.
    • I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because I think they stay more tender and moist. It did work great with chicken breast too, though, so use what you have on hand.
    • You can use all kinds of salsa for this recipe and that really changes the taste! I used a homemade green salsa I made and froze last summer in one batch and it was awesome. I also tried it with store-bought chunky traditional salsa and with homemade cooked and canned salsa. Use your favorite - you can't go wrong.

    Cook corn on the cob with the chicken in the Instant Pot!

    I love corn on the cob with or on tacos, and you can cook it along with the chicken in this recipe. You'll want to prepare the recipe as directed but set the cook time on the Instant pot to 12 minutes. Then do a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, carefully open the lid and place in your cobs with the husks removed. Replace the lid and set the cook time to 2 minutes. Do a quick pressure release again and when you can remove the lid, remove the corn, set aside, and continue with the chicken recipe. How easy is that? It adds a few minutes to the prep time as you have to wait for the Instant Pot to come down from pressure twice, but you don't have to get another pot dirty to cook the corn!

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat is made with just a few simple ingredients but packs tons of flavor and is done in about 25 minutes.

    Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseats on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat


    ★★★★★

    4.8 from 37 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat is made with just a few simple ingredients, but it packs a ton of flavor and is done in about 25 minutes!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1.5 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 3 tablespoons chipotle sauce
    • 1 cup prepared mild salsa

    Instructions

    1. Add the chicken to the insert of your instant pot.
    2. Sprinkle the salt, cumin, and garlic powder over the chicken. Add the chipotle sauce and the salsa.
    3. Use tongs to combine and mix the ingredients well, covering the chicken on all sides.
    4. Lock the lid in place, make sure the vent is set to seal, and select high pressure and 15 minute cook time.
    5. When the cooking time ends, use the quick pressure release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully.
    6. Use tongs to remove the chicken and place in a shallow dish or bowl and shred it.
    7. While you are shredding the chicken, turn the instant pot to the saute setting and allow the remaining liquid in the pot to come to a boil.
    8. Let the liquid simmer for around 5 minutes, until it starts to thicken.
    9. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot, turn off the Instant Pot, and stir to combine well.
    10. Serve with your favorite taco toppings, in a salad, on nachos, in enchiladas, or however you like best.

    Notes

    • You can make this in the slow cooker by combining all the ingredients together and letting them cook on low for 5-6 hours until the chicken is tender and ready to be shredded.
    • My tiny store carries the chipotle sauce, so I think it will be easy for you to find. It's delicious!
    • I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because I think they stay more tender and moist. It did work great with chicken breast too, though, so use what you have on hand.
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: Mexican

    Keywords: chipotle chicken recipe, taco chicken recipe, taco meat recipe, best taco meat recipe, easy taco chicken recipe, best taco chicken recipe, healthy instant pot chicken recipe, best instant pot chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner recipe, easy chicken dinner

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    Other recipes I love to make in my Instant Pot

    • Easy Crispy Instant Pot Pork Taco Recipe
    • Unique Ideas for Cooking Baked Potatoes (oven, instant pot, slow cooker and more!)
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
    • Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
    • Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice Recipe
    • The Best Instant Pot Broccoli and Cheese Soup

    Enjoy this delicious Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Taco Meat recipe, from my kitchen to yours.

    « 20 Minute Easy Cheesy Pizza Sticks
    3 Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Torte Recipe »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Cheryl

      September 02, 2018 at 7:26 am

      Hi Melissa..I don't have an instant pot, but the recipe sounds great! However I wanted to reply to your comment on peeling fresh boiled eggs. Once they are done, you shake the eggs in the pan with a lid on it so you don't get burned and the shells are either already off or slip right off even on fresh eggs. I was surprised how well this works. What a time saver!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        September 04, 2018 at 1:28 pm

        Great tips Cheryl! Thank you for sharing that with me and everyone else, we appreciate that!

    2. Anne

      May 22, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      I do not have an instant pot but would love to win one.
      Being a busy working mom its becoming a desperate plea for help lol ?
      My family loves chicken so we would like to make whole chickens, healthy bone broth, chicken wings, chicken tacos.

      Reply
    3. Lera

      May 13, 2018 at 8:26 pm

      I love gadgets and this is one that I do not have. I would like to make mashed potatoes or apple sauce for my mom.

      Reply
    4. Mira Kots

      May 12, 2018 at 6:26 am

      Would love to win one! I’d make this chicken taco recipe and many others pot roast, rice and beef, etc. would be a blessing certainly!

      Reply
    5. Lindsey Z

      May 11, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      https://www.pinterest.com/lindseyzeambm/misc-good-stuff/

      I love healthy snacks <3

      Reply
    6. Lindsey Z

      May 11, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      I don't have an insta pot but IF I did, I'd definitely make taco stuff because it's my favorite! And that chicken next to the cilantro in your picture looks AMAAZING <3. Mm food is good 🙂

      Reply
    7. Amy

      May 11, 2018 at 9:03 pm

      https://pin.it/rvpjkxkav7nut2

      Reply
    8. Amy

      May 11, 2018 at 8:34 pm

      This recipe looks so yummy! I would love to try it in an instant pot...I don’t own one yet.
      I have pinned your energy bites on Pinterest. It’s a favorite here.

      Reply
    9. Marseille Stephenson

      May 11, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      The kids would love it if I made these: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/306667055871425922/

      Reply
    10. Marseille Stephenson

      May 11, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      I don't have an instant pot, but I have a cuisinart electric pressure cooker. I use it 2-3 times/week. My favorite thing to make in there is mashed potatoes! I also love making a roast in there because then I can make the gravy in the same place. I would love to win this instant pot because then I could use them both at the same time. Also, instant pots have more functions so I would love to have access to that!

      Reply
    11. Caitlyn Crosby RD LDN

      May 11, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Holy cow I love your blog/recipes and IG posts!! I don’t have an instant pot but have been dying to get one for a few months now. I think it will make quick dinners after work so much easier!! I can’t wait to make these tacos and many other yummy dishes. I most look forward to being able to take the protein out of the freezer and straight into the instant pot and boom: quick, easy, yummy dinner! I also hope to make some recipes of my own once I get my blog up and running! Thanks for all you do!

      Reply
    12. Cori Jeide

      May 11, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      I have been wanting an instapot! I would be using that thing all the time for my family of six!

      Reply
    13. Stephanie Conn

      May 11, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      I love using my Instant Pot and we LOVE taco, so I will definitely be trying this!!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Chocolate Babka
    • 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
    • Easy German Pancake Recipe
    • Mexican Hot Chocolate
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter