Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken (Shredded); is insanely delicious and incredibly easy to make, with just the right amount of spice!
Perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, taco salad, or served with beans and rice. So many ways to serve this delicious dish to your family!

This recipe for Shredded Mexican Chicken is purely magical. In only 20 minutes of high pressure in your Instant Pot, you’ll get perfectly cooked, moist, tender, and shreddable chicken with a delicious sauce!!!

Recipe Ingredients for Mexican chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Taco seasoning
- Salsa; we prefer salsa verde
- Liquid smoke (secret ingredient)
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Cumin

How to make Instant Pot Mexican Chicken
Add all ingredients to the liner of an Instant Pot. No need to stir.
Start by adding the chicken, trying not to overlap it in too many layers. Add the seasonings.

Pour the salsa over the chicken.

Add the liquid smoke. I drizzle this on, just eyeballing it, but you don’t need much. A little goes a long way.

Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to “sealing”. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button and use the +/- buttons to set the timer for 20 minutes.

Once the timer beeps, let the pot depressurize for 20 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. When the pin drops, remove the lid and set aside.

Remove chicken breasts to a large bowl and shred them.

Toss shredded chicken with as much sauce as you’d like; we use it all.

How to make Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
First, grab your slow cooker or crockpot and add all the necessary ingredients. Starting with the chicken, seasonings, salsa, and liquid smoke.
After that, put a lid on the pot and cook it for 4-5 hours over high heat or 7-8 hours on low.
Remove chicken breasts to a large bowl and shred them. Toss shredded chicken with as much sauce as you’d like; we use it all.

Garnishes/Toppings
- Cilantro
- Jalapenos
- Tomatoes
- Cheese
- Sourcream
- Avacado
- Onions
- Beans, refried, pinto, or black
- Salsa
- Pico

What recipes can I make with this shredded Mexican chicken?
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Tostadas
- Salad
- Enchiladas
- Quesadillas
- Taco soup
How to store shredded chicken
This chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for up to 2 months. All you need is a sealed container.

Looking for more instant pot recipes?
While I am new to the Instant Pot game, I have two recipes that are just as flavorful and easy to make as this instant pot Mexican chicken.
Some other great recipes to make in your Instant Pot that would go well with this Mexican chicken dish include…
The Instant Pot can cook any bean, from black to lima to pinto!
Cooking rice doesn’t have to be complicated! With this Instant Pot Brown Rice recipe, you can quickly and easily make perfectly cooked rice every time. This is the perfect meal prep recipe!
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!

Mexican Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 16 ounces salsa we prefer salsa verde
- 1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the liner of an Instant Pot. No need to stir.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "sealing". Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button and use the +/- buttons to set the timer for 20 minutes.
- Once the timer beeps, let the pot depressurize for 15-20 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. When the pin drops, remove the lid and set aside.
- Remove chicken breasts to a large bowl and shred.
- Toss shredded chicken with as much sauce as you'd like; we use it all.
Excellent post. Thanks for your article
MmmmMMM! I love all that smoky, spicy flavor, and I love how versatile it is. I can use it for so many things!
This is a perfect recipe for meal prep this week. So many delicious possibilities!
The Mexican flavor is irresistible! This is a must make recipe!
Looks absolutely delicious! My family would definitely love this!
It doesn’t say how long to cook in a slow cooker (don’t have an Instapot), but I’m gonna guess 6 hours on low?
Yes, that would work.