Lara Clevenger

Recipes, Travel, Bowling, and RV Adventures

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Blackstone
    • Instant Pot
    • Keto
    • Ninja Creami
    • Paleo
    • Sheet Pan Meals
    • Slow Cooker
    • Vegetarian
  • Services
    • Meal Plans
    • Services
    • Food Sensitivities – MRT
  • RV LIFE
    • Blackstone Recipes
    • Campgrounds
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Disclosure Policy
Home » Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast

January 3, 2023 by Lara March 30, 2023

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast is incredibly easy to make! You can make juicy and moist shredded chicken in your Instant Pot with practically little effort! This shredded chicken is super versatile and perfect for meal prep!

instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using 2 forks
Table of Contents
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast
  • Why you’ll love making shredded chicken breast in your Instant Pot
  • Shredded Chicken Breast Nutrition (per 3oz cooked)
  • Ingredients to for Shredded Chicken Breast
  • How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Tips for making shredded chicken in a pressure cooker
  • How to Shred Chicken Breasts (2 different ways)
    • Shredding chicken with forks
    • Electric hand Mixer Method
  • Recipes Using Shredded Chicken Breast
  • Low Carb Sauces
  • Low Carb Vegetables Recipes to make this a meal
  • More Chicken Breast Recipes to try!
  • FAQs

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast

I love making shredded chicken breasts in the Instant Pot because it’s literally so simple! Sometimes when you make shredded chicken it can dry out, but my method ensures you’ll have tender chicken. Perfect for your weekly meal prep!

This Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe is so versatile! Pressure cooking makes meal prep a breeze! You can even make shredded chicken thighs in the Instant Pot and shredded chicken from frozen chicken in the Instant Pot too!

I love using shredded chicken breast to make this Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole and this Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.

Cooking chicken breast in Instant Pot have the tendency to become dry when they are cooked and this is because they are a lean cut of meat. You can combat this by using chicken broth, stock or chicken bone broth when cooking.

After the chicken breast has been shredded you can add back in some of the chicken broth to ensure it stays moist. 

This Instant Pot chicken breast recipe is easy, especially so if you’re new to using a pressure cooker! All basic ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store! You can even buy an Instant Pot at most stores now!

Why you’ll love making shredded chicken breast in your Instant Pot

  • Quick and easy recipe – make super moist shredded chicken in less than 30 minutes with very minimal ingredients and barely any hands on time!
  • Perfect for meal prep – shredded chicken is great for meal prep! Make tacos, casseroles, salads and more with leftover shredded chicken
  • High protein and low carb recipe – 1 cup of shredded chicken has about 32g of protein and 0g carbs – also note that cup size varies depending on how packed or how finely shredded the chicken is. Check out my post about chicken breast nutrition.

Shredded Chicken Breast Nutrition (per 3oz cooked)

  • 147kcals
  • 0g carbs
  • 3.8g fat
  • 26.3g protein

I tend to follow more of an IIFYM style of keto diet where I eat mostly whole foods and eat processed foods in moderation.

So with chicken breasts being high in protein and low in fat, I would pair it with a low carb vegetable such as broccoli our cauliflower. I’d then top the vegetables with a high fat sauce like a creamy cheese sauce.

Or you could put a higher fat sauce on the chicken like a pesto and then have a side of nuts. Or super simple you could sprinkle some melted butter and parmesan cheese on top of the low carb vegetables.

Ingredients to for Shredded Chicken Breast

  • Chicken broth or chicken bone broth
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt
  • Pepper
step by step directions how to make shredded chicken breast in an instant pot
Step by step images on how to make shredded chicken breast in an Instant Pot

How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

First make sure your inner steel pot is in the Instant Pot (I wish I was joking – I’ve heard so many horror stories of people forgetting to do this step). Then add 1 cup of chicken broth or chicken stock, bone broth or water to the bottom of the pot and add in salt and pepper.

instant pot with lid off and water with salt and pepper in it

Next add in the raw chicken breasts to the broth or liquid (these were some big juice chicken breasts around 2 pounds of chicken). For this recipe there is no need to use a trivet.

instant pot with 2 chicken breasts in it

After that place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the lid is set to sealed.

overhead view of instant pot with it's lid on

Then hit “manual” make sure it is on “high pressure.” Next set the timer for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes you will want to do a 5 minute “natural pressure release.” 

PRO TIP: NEVER use quick release when cooking any kind of meat! It’s a sure fire way to make your meat come out tough!

After the 8 minutes is up, the timer automatically starts counting. Once it gets to 5 minutes, do a “quick pressure release.” This means that you will be (almost) instantly removing all of the pressure by moving the nob on the lid to “open.”

instant pot with cooked chicken breasts in it

Be careful when you do this as to not burn yourself by the steam being released. Once the pressure is removed you will be able to remove the lid of the Instant Pot.

Now the chicken should be fully cooked and have an internal temperature of 165F. Drain most of the broth from the steel insert, leaving about 1/4 cup in the pot with the chicken.

Finally you can shred your chicken either with 2 forks or with an electric hand mixer. Be sure to incorporate it into the remaining liquid.

instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using a hand mixer

Tips for making shredded chicken in a pressure cooker

  • If you’re not going to eat all of the chicken, store leftovers in a glass airtight container along with some of the remaining liquid. This ensures when you heat it up that it will still be moist and not dry out.
  • This recipe is super versatile! Add in some of your favorite spices such as Italian seasoning, rosemary, sage, garlic powder to switch things up!
  • If you don’t have fresh chicken breasts, you can also use frozen chicken breast. Just add 3-4 minutes to the cook time.
  • Love using leftovers by just adding in some keto BBQ sauce and making shredded BBQ chicken or chicken tacos.

How to Shred Chicken Breasts (2 different ways)

Shredding chicken with forks

This method takes some time but it requires only 2 forks and no small appliances. Simply take 2 forks, stab them into the cooked chicken breast.

Then drag the forks away from each other and then chicken will start to become shredded. Repeat this process until all chicken breasts are shredded.

instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using 2 forks

Electric hand Mixer Method

Using an electric mixer to shred chicken is my favorite and in my opinion the easiest way to shred chicken breasts! Make sure you have the thicker metal inserts and not the whisk insert in the hand mixer.

Then place the mixer on top of the chicken breast and then turn it one. Use a medium level for best results. On high speed you might end up fling chicken all over your kitchen! Fun fact I’ve done this before!

You can also shred chicken in a stand mixer if you don’t have a hand held mixer.

instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using a hand mixer

Recipes Using Shredded Chicken Breast

  • Creamy Salsa Chicken Recipe
  • Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole 
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Shredded chicken breast is great for meal prep! Simply add 3-5oz of shredded chicken into a glass container and top with a few tablespoons of your favorite low carb sauce. You can also add a 1/3 cup shredded chicken to a pan pita, add your favorite veggies and then top with 1-2 tablespoons of dressing.

Low Carb Sauces

  • Keto Barbecue Sauce
  • Franks Buffalo Sauce
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Paleo Teriyaki Sauce

Low Carb Vegetables Recipes to make this a meal

If you’re wanting to make low carb shredded chicken meal prep meals, pair them with any of the following keto vegetables.

  • Air Fryer Broccolini
  • Roasted garlic parmesan asparagus
  • Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
  • Broccoli and cheese casserole
  • Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
  • Instant Pot Cauliflower
  • Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus
instant pot shredded chicken breast in an Instant Pot with 2 forks.

More Chicken Breast Recipes to try!

  • Instant Pot Chicken and Mushrooms
  • The Best Blackstone Chicken Recipes
  • Chicken Shawarma Tacos
  • Best Blackstone Chicken Breasts
  • Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Breast

FAQs

Where can I buy shredded chicken in bulk?

SAMs and Costco have shredded chicken or pulled chicken that you can buy in bulk, typically 2 pound containers.

How to save dry chicken?

Typically reserving some of the cooking liquid or storing the shredded chicken in a bit of chicken stock or broth will help keep the shredded chicken moist

How long to pressure cook chicken to shred?

This keto instant pot chicken breast recipe cooks for 8 minutes under high pressure and then 5 minutes natural pressure release. It also typically takes between 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.

PHOTO COLLAGE OF RECIPE WITH THE WORDS "VIEW MEAL PLANS"
instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using 2 forks
Print Pin
5 from 9 votes

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breasts

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast is incredibly easy to make! You can make juicy and moist shredded chicken in your Instant Pot with practically little effort! This shredded chicken is super versatile and perfect for meal prep!
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Keyword how to make shredded chicken breasts in an instant pot, instant pot shredded chicken, instant pot shredded chicken breasts
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 175kcal
Author Lara

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chicken broth or water or chicken bone broth
  • 2 pounds Chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • First make sure your inner steel pot is in the Instant Pot. Then add 1 cup of chicken stock/bone broth/water to the bottom of the pot and then add salt and pepper.
    instant pot with lid off and water with salt and pepper in it
  • Next add the raw chicken breasts to the Instant Pot. For this recipe there is no need to use a trivet. After that place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the lid is set to sealed.
    instant pot with 2 chicken breasts in it
  • Then hit “manual” make sure it is on “high” pressure. Next set the timer for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes you will want to do a 5 minute natural pressure release and then a Quick Pressure Release (manually releasing the rest of the pressure).
    overhead view of instant pot with it's lid on
  • Be careful when you do this as to not burn yourself by the steam being released. Once the pressure is removed you will be able to remove the lid of the Instant Pot.
    instant pot with cooked chicken breasts in it
  • Now the chicken should be fully cooked and have an internal temperature of 165F. Drain most of the broth from the steel insert, leaving about 1/4 cup in the pot with the chicken.
  • Finally you can shred your chicken either with 2 forks or with an electric hand mixer. Be sure to incorporate it into the remaining liquid.
    instant pot with cooked chicken breast being shredded using 2 forks

Notes

If you’re not going to eat all of the chicken after its cooked, make sure to place it into a glassed air tight container a long with some of the remaining liquid. This ensures when you heat it up that it will still be moist and not dry out.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 706mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Entrees, Instant Pot, Recipes

« Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Juicy Air Fryer Ribeye Steak »

Comments

  1. Sandy Knapp says

    August 5, 2020 at 2:32 PM

    Can I use frozen breasts?

    Reply
    • Lara says

      October 20, 2020 at 10:58 AM

      Yes just cook it for a few minutes longer

      Reply
    • Rosanna Stevens says

      January 4, 2023 at 11:24 AM

      5 stars
      This was great, I made a big batch to put on my lunchtime salads during the week.

      Reply
  2. Leah says

    July 3, 2021 at 5:02 AM

    How much longer for frozen chicken, and if using thighs how long?

    Reply
    • Lara says

      October 12, 2021 at 11:57 AM

      I’ve done 11 minutes with frozen chicken breasts. I’ve never Ade frozen chicken thighs before though

      Reply
  3. PattyO says

    November 7, 2021 at 5:53 PM

    If you don’t want dry chicken, pull them out and let them rest 15 minutes before you shred. It helps a lot.

    Reply
  4. Lisa says

    January 4, 2023 at 9:53 AM

    5 stars
    I used to make shredded chicken in a slow cooker but this method is so much quicker! It was perfect for using in other dishes.

    Reply
  5. Relle says

    January 4, 2023 at 10:52 AM

    5 stars
    Gosh I love my Instant Pot. Great way to get the chicken fork tender to shred in no time.

    Reply
    • Lara says

      January 5, 2023 at 9:35 AM

      Yes! I use it whenever I can to speed up meal times!

      Reply
  6. Glenda says

    January 4, 2023 at 1:36 PM

    5 stars
    Flavor and texture of this chicken was perfect! We doubled it and used it for recipes throughout the week. I love that the meat didn’t dry out. It was excellent in chef salads and in chicken and noodles!

    Reply
    • Lara says

      January 5, 2023 at 9:34 AM

      YUM! Glad your family enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. Jan says

    January 4, 2023 at 4:31 PM

    5 stars
    Thank you for helping me shred my chicken, I used it for salads and sanwhiches.

    Reply
    • Lara says

      January 5, 2023 at 9:34 AM

      So glad it worked for you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating





About Me

image of a girl in a pink jacket with fury hood smiling

Hi, I’m Lara! I’m a dietitian and I love to travel the US in my fifth wheel RV with my pups Stella & Loki. I share healthy, low carb and camping recipes along with my travel and bowling stories.

Recent Posts

Roasted Spaghetti Squash with butter on top
sesame salmon bowl with avocado, red cabbage, cucumber and spring mix topped with sesame dressing.
air fryer zoodles being pulled out of the basket with a fork.
instant pot chicken thighs with rice with a spoon lifting a chicken thigh out of the instant pot
2 air fryer furikake salmon filets on a white plate
instant pot baby back ribs being dipped into a clear glass filled with BBQ sauce.
chocolate protein ice cream without bananas in a clear pint and a black spoon and white napkin
cooked whole spaghetti squash cut in half on a white plate topped with parsley
medium rare sliced ribeye steak on a white plate topped with butter and served with broccoli

Web Stories

The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We cannot and do not give you medical advice. See full disclaimer/disclosure policy. 

Lara Clevenger · Copyright © 2023