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Home ยป Recipes ยป Instant Pot

How to Make Shredded Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot from Frozen

Published: Jan 10, 2025 ยท Modified: Jan 28, 2025 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make chicken thighs for a late night dinner, then this is for you. Making these Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs that are shredded takes under 25 minutes to make and is juicy and flavorful!

Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs on a white plate with a fork and a white napkin on the side
Table of Contents
  • Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded
  • Why you'll love this Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded
  • Ingredients
  • Tips & Tricks
  • How to make Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded
  • Substitutions
  • What to serve with Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded
  • How to store
  • How to reheat
  • Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

One of the best things about the Instant Pot is that you don't need much prep with any of your recipes. Just like this recipe, you place your frozen chicken thighs in and let the Instant Pot do all the work.

I've literally used the Instant Pot to make shredded chicken breasts, frozen shredded chicken breasts, shredded chicken thighs, and now we're making shredded chicken thighs from frozen.

It's perfect for meal prep or an easy dinner. Season and add your favorite sauces, and you're ready to dig in.

Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot with tongs

Why you'll love this Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

  • Quick- it takes less than 25 minutes to make!
  • Juicy- the Instant Pot leaves these shredded frozen chicken thighs super juicy!
  • High Protein- this recipe has 44g of protein per serving.

Ingredients

  • water
  • frozen chicken thighs
  • Seasonings: kosher salt, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning
ingredients of frozen chicken thighs, water black pepper, salt and Italian seasonings

Tips & Tricks

Adding back the ยผ cup of liquid helps to keep the shredded chicken from drying out. 

Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot

How to make Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

  1. First, add the water and the frozen chicken thighs in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  2. Next, place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed. Then hit manual, select high pressure and set the timer to 12 minutes.
  3. Let the Instant Pot perform a natural pressure released. 
  4. Then carefully remove the lid. Drain out the liquid. Save ยผ cup of the liquid to be added back later.
  5. With 2 forks or an electric hand mixer, shred the chicken thighs. 
  6. After the chicken is shredded, add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and ยผ cup of liquid to the shredded chicken.
  7. Stir to evenly season the chicken.
  8. Serve as is or use the chicken to make wraps, chicken salad or for in your favorite casseroles.
water at the bottom of the instant pot
Add the water in the Instant Pot
frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot
Add frozen chicken thighs
cooked chicken thighs in the instant pot
Select high pressure and set the timer to 12 minutes. Let the Instant Pot perform a natural pressure released.
Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot with a blender blade in it
With 2 forks or an electric hand mixer, shred the chicken thighs.
Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot with seasonings on top
add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and ยผ cup of liquid to the shredded chicken.
Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot with tongs
Stir to evenly season the chicken

Substitutions

If you do not have frozen chicken thighs, you can substitute with frozen chicken breast or even fresh chicken thighs. Just remember that if you are using fresh the time to cook them will change.

Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs on a white plate with a fork and a white napkin on the side

What to serve with Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

Serve as is or use the chicken to make wraps, chicken salad or for in your favorite casseroles.

The great thing about chicken thighs is that it goes with any side dish. If youโ€™re feeling like a less starchy option, try this Instant Pot whole spaghetti squash or this Instant Pot Cauliflower recipe.

If you want to add some carbs to your meal, try these roasted potatoes.

How to store

Store leftovers in a glass container for up to five days.

Use leftovers to make tacos with this DIY taco seasoning or top some shredded chicken on this kale salad with butternut squash.

How to reheat

Reheat in a microwave safe container for 1-2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

You can reheat your left overs in the oven at 350F on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs on a white plate with a fork and a white napkin on the side
Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs on a white plate with a fork and a white napkin on the side

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot Shredded

Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make chicken thighs for a late night dinner, then this is for you. Making these Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs that is shredded takes under 25 minutes to make and is juicy and flavorful!
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Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Natural Release 10 minutes mins
Total Time 22 minutes mins
Servings 4
Calories 272 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs frozen
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
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Instructions
 

  • First, add the water and the frozen chicken thighs in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  • Next, place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed. Then hit manual, select high pressure and set the timer to 12 minutes.
  • Let the Instant Pot perform a natural pressure released.
  • Then carefully remove the lid. Drain out the liquid. Save ยผ cup of the liquid to be added back later.
  • With 2 forks or an electric hand mixer, shred the chicken thighs.
  • After the chicken is shredded, add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and ยผ cup of liquid to the shredded chicken.
  • Stir to evenly season the chicken.
  • Serve as is or use the chicken to make wraps, chicken salad or for in your favorite casseroles.

Notes

Adding back the ยผ cup of liquid helps to keep the shredded chicken from drying out.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 44gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 215mgSodium: 496mgPotassium: 564mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 64IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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pin of Instant Pot shredded frozen chicken thighs on a white plate with a white napkin on the side

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Hi, Iโ€™m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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