Cooking chicken in an Instant Pot to the perfect shredding consistency takes some trial and error. The cooking time can vary based on the size and cut of chicken, whether it’s bone-in or boneless, frozen or thawed. With some tips and guides you’ll be shredding juicy tender chicken in your Instant Pot in no time.
Why Shred Chicken in the Instant Pot?
Shredding chicken in the Instant Pot has many benefits
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It’s fast – chicken can be shredded in as little as 3 minutes! No need for simmering it for hours on the stove.
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Chicken comes out very moist and tender from the pressurized environment. No worrying about dry, stringy shredded chicken.
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You can cook a large batch of shredded chicken efficiently in the Instant Pot. Great for meal prepping!
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The chicken shreds easily right in the pot with forks or mixer. No difficult shredding.
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You’re left with a flavorful broth that can be used for soups, rice, etc.
What You’ll Need
To shred chicken in the Instant Pot, you’ll need:
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An Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
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1-3 pounds of chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks or a whole chicken
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1 cup of chicken broth, water or other liquid
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Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder
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Instant read thermometer (optional but recommended)
How Long to Cook Different Cuts of Chicken
Cooking time can vary based on a few factors:
Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 1-inch thick breasts: 5 minutes
- Thinner cut breasts: 3 minutes
Boneless breasts cook quickly and are easy to shred.
Bone-in Chicken Breasts
- Cook for 5 minutes
The bones add more flavor to the broth.
Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Cook for 3-5 minutes
Dark meat thighs cook faster than white meat breasts.
Bone-in Chicken Thighs
- Cook for 6 minutes
Bones allow thighs to cook evenly and add flavor.
Drumsticks
- Cook for 6-8 minutes
Smaller than thighs but take a bit longer due to bone-in.
Frozen Chicken
- Add 3-5 more minutes to cook time
Frozen chicken will take longer to come to pressure and cook through.
Whole Chicken
- Small (3 lbs): 15 minutes
- Large (4-5 lbs): 25 minutes
Cook time varies on size. Natural release ensures even cooking.
How to Shred Chicken in the Instant Pot – Step by Step
Follow these simple steps:
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Add 1 cup broth, seasonings and chicken to Instant Pot inner pot.
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Pressure cook for time based on cut of chicken.
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Natural release for at least 10 minutes.
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Check internal temperature to ensure doneness (165°F).
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Shred chicken right in pot with forks or mixer.
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Add more broth to keep chicken moist.
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Season to taste.
It’s that easy to make tender, juicy shredded chicken for tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, and more!
Tips for Shredding Chicken
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For easier shredding, cook chicken 5 minutes longer. But this can dry out chicken.
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Use natural release, not quick release, for tender chicken.
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Shred chicken with mixer for fast shredding.
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Add extra broth to keep shredded chicken moist.
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Freeze shredded chicken in portions for meal prep.
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Use bone-in chicken for added flavor.
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Cook from frozen but add extra time.
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Use thermometer to confirm chicken is cooked through.
Common Shredding Mistakes
It can take a few tries to nail down the perfect shredding time. Avoid these common mistakes:
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Not cooking chicken long enough. Chicken will be tough and difficult to shred.
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Cooking too long and chicken dries out. aim for fall-off-the-bone tender.
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Quick releasing too soon and chicken is underdone in center. Always natural release at least 10 minutes.
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Not adding extra broth and chicken becomes dry once shredded.
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Overcrowding pot so chicken doesn’t cook evenly. Don’t stack chicken breasts.
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Not letting pressure fully release before opening lid.
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Shredding before chicken is fully cooked (use thermometer!)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to shred chicken in the Instant Pot?
- It can take as little as 3 minutes for boneless chicken breasts up to 25 minutes for a large whole chicken. Cook time varies based on cut.
Should you quick release or natural release chicken?
- For shredded chicken, natural release ensures the chicken cooks through evenly. Quick release can lead to undercooked centers.
What temperature should shredded chicken be?
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a thermometer to confirm doneness.
Can you shred frozen chicken in the Instant Pot?
- Yes, just add 3-5 extra minutes to the cook time if starting with frozen chicken.
How do you keep shredded chicken moist?
- Adding extra broth after shredding helps keep chicken moist and juicy. Only shred amount needed.
Conclusion
Perfectly cooked, shredded chicken takes just minutes in the Instant Pot. While cook times vary based on cut, thickness and bone-in vs boneless, this guide gives you the timing needed to nail tender, juicy chicken for any recipe. Master shredding chicken in your Instant Pot and enjoy it in tacos, sandwiches, soups, and more!
How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- 1 pound frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (usually about 2)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth, or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon chicken base plus 1 cup water
- Quick BBQ Sauce, recipe follows (optional)
- Place frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Season with salt and cumin, and pour in the broth.
- Cover with lid and pressure-cook on high for 12 minutes, then let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. (If you’re cooking from fresh or thawed chicken breasts, then pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes.)
- Uncover, carefully remove the breasts from the Instant Pot with tongs, then place them onto a cutting board and shred into pieces with two forks. (Sometimes before shredding, I like to cut the chicken in half lengthwise, against the grain, to shorten the strands first, which makes for softer meat in the end.)
- Serve with optional BBQ sauce below or use as you wish throughout the week.
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Whisk together all the ingredients and transfer to a small dish to serve with the chicken. Makes about 1/2 cup. How do you make shredded chicken? Let us know in the comments below.
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