Chicken Breast In The Instant Pot | Lovemyinstantpot
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Shredded Chicken Breast

Shredded Chicken Breast

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You Will Need

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (you can adjust for more, but maintain the same cooking time)

  • 2 tablespoons Zesty Italian spice blend 

  • 1 1/2 cups water

  • Optional: 4 tablespoons (1 tablespoon per chicken breast) of butter for added flavor and moisture

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Instant Pot Chicken Breast

Season the Chicken:

  • Sprinkle the Italian spice blend evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. If you're using more chicken breasts, make sure to maintain the same ratio of spice blend.

  • Optional: Add Butter for Moisture (Recommended):

  • To keep the chicken moist and add extra flavor, place 1 tablespoon of butter on top of each chicken breast.

Prepare the Instant Pot:

  • Place the trivet or a steamer rack at the bottom of your Instant Pot.

  • Add Water:

  • Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into the Instant Pot.

Arrange the Chicken:

  • Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the trivet or steamer rack. Ensure they are not stacked on top of each other and have some space in between.

Set the Instant Pot:

  • Close the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to the sealing position.

  • Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function, depending on your Instant Pot model.

  • Set the cooking time to 6 minutes for the chicken breasts. If you are cooking more chicken breasts, maintain the same cooking time.

Cook the Chicken:

  • The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure, and then it will begin cooking. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally. This will take about 10-15 minutes.

Open the Lid:

  • Carefully open the Instant Pot lid once the pressure has fully released.

  • Serve or Store:

  • Your perfectly cooked chicken breasts are now ready to be served hot or used in various dishes. You can slice, shred, or use them whole in salads, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more.

Save the Cooking Liquid:

  • Don't discard the cooking liquid. It can be used to enhance soups or turned into a delicious gravy by thickening it with a cornstarch and water mixture.

 

Enjoy your perfectly cooked chicken breast with Italian spice blend.

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Stovetop Shredded Chicken Breast

Season the Chicken:

  • Sprinkle the Italian spice blend, salt, and pepper evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. Adjust the amount of seasoning based on the number of chicken breasts you are using.

Optional:

  • Add Butter for Moisture (Recommended):

  • To keep the chicken moist and add extra flavor, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place 1 chicken breast in the skillet and sear it on one side for about 2-3 minutes.

Sear the Chicken:

  • Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts (with or without the butter) to the skillet.

Cook the Chicken:

  • Sear the chicken on one side for about 2-3 minutes until it develops a golden-brown crust. Use tongs to flip the chicken breasts over and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes.

Reduce Heat and Cover:

  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid.

Continue Cooking:

  • Let the chicken breasts cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, depending on their thickness. Ensure they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

Shred the Chicken:

  • Once the chicken breasts are fully cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a clean cutting board.

  • Use two forks to shred the chicken. Hold one fork in each hand and pull the chicken apart in opposite directions. You can also use your fingers if the chicken is cool enough to handle.

  • Continue shredding until all the chicken breasts are broken into small, bite-sized pieces.

Save the Pan Juices:

  • Don't discard the pan juices. They can be used as a flavorful sauce for the shredded chicken.

  • Serve or Use in Recipes:

  • Serve the shredded Italian-spiced chicken immediately as a main dish, or use it in various recipes such as tacos, enchiladas, salads, sandwiches, or casseroles.

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What can you make with Shredded Chicken?

Chicken Tacos:

  • Use shredded chicken as a taco filling. Top with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and your favorite toppings.

Chicken Enchiladas:

  • Roll shredded chicken in tortillas, cover with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly.

Chicken Salad:

  • Mix shredded chicken with mayonnaise, celery, onions, and your choice of seasonings to make a chicken salad. Serve in sandwiches or lettuce wraps.

Chicken Quesadillas:

  • Layer shredded chicken between tortillas with cheese, then cook until crispy and golden.

  • Buffalo Chicken Dip: Combine shredded chicken with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese for a delicious dip. Bake until bubbly and serve with tortilla chips or veggies.

Chicken Soup:

Add shredded chicken to your favorite soup recipe for added protein and flavor.

Chicken Stir-Fry:

  • Stir-fry shredded chicken with vegetables and your choice of sauce for a quick and healthy meal.

Chicken and Rice Casserole:

  • Mix shredded chicken with cooked rice, vegetables, and a creamy sauce. Top with cheese and bake until golden.

Chicken Burritos:

  • Roll shredded chicken in large tortillas with rice, beans, cheese, and salsa. Wrap and enjoy!

Chicken Pizza:

  • Top your pizza with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, red onions, and cheese for a unique twist.

Chicken Wraps:

  • Fill large tortillas with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite dressing for a quick lunch.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo:

  • Combine shredded chicken with cooked pasta, steamed broccoli, and Alfredo sauce for a creamy pasta dish.

Chicken Pot Pie:

  • Use shredded chicken as the filling for a homemade chicken pot pie. Top with a flaky pastry crust.

Chicken Nachos:

  • Pile shredded chicken onto tortilla chips, then top with melted cheese, jalapeños, and salsa.

Chicken Tamales:

  • Make homemade tamales with shredded chicken filling and masa dough.

Chicken Pita Pockets:

  • Stuff pita pockets with shredded chicken, hummus, and fresh vegetables.

Chicken and Waffles:

  • Serve shredded chicken over crispy waffles with syrup for a sweet and savory meal.

Chicken Fried Rice:

  • Incorporate shredded chicken into your fried rice recipe for added protein.

Chicken Caesar Salad:

Toss shredded chicken with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing.​

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