Bulk Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

This bulk Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe is easy and such a time and budget-saver! This recipe will yield 12 cups of juicy shredded chicken that will help with dinner prep. Each cup of chicken will cost just $1.04!

I can not tell you how many times bags of this shredded chicken has saved me at dinner time! Not only is it more economical to make yourself, but it sure is tastier, too! This recipe will cost you $1.04 per cup of shredded chicken versus $1.54 per 4.5 ounces can (1 cup) of frozen chicken. This recipe makes 12 cups, and I freeze the chicken in quart-sized freezer bags that each contain 2 cups of shredded chicken.

Well now that problem is solved with our shredded chicken recipe. Of all the shredded chicken recipes this is our favorite because of how versatile it is. It is also super easy because this is an instant pot shredded chicken recipe. You heard me right, you put the chicken in the instant pot and then shred it when it is done cooking. Easy peasy! You will want to print this recipe out and keep it at the front of your recipe book as one of your go to recipes. 

One of our readers, Julie C, said about this recipe, “This chicken was AMAZING! It’s so juicy and is just as great warmed up. My husband likes to buy the “Just Chicken” from Sprouts and this is better, and at a fraction of the cost. I’m looking forward to trying the flavor and recipe variations.”

How will you use this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe?

How many calories are in a cup of shredded chicken?

Typically there are 80 calories in ⅓ cup of shredded chicken. That is a very healthy serving! 

Can you buy shredded chicken at a store?

Freshly shredded chicken is expensive and not very budget-friendly! That is why we love making this shredded chicken recipe ahead of time and freezing it later for busy weeknights. If you are in a pinch though, your best option is to buy a rotisserie chicken and then shred it at home. 

Can you shred raw chicken?

Raw chicken does not actually shred well so you should always make sure you are using fully cooked chicken before you shred it. 

How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken:

1. First, place the frozen chicken into the instant pot. 
2. Then, pour the white vinegar and olive oil over the chicken.
3. Next, sprinkle the salt, pepper, and sugar over the chicken.
4. Close and seal the Instant Pot and cook on HIGH pressure for 25 minutes.
5. Once done, let the Instant pot natural release for 10 minutes, and then manually release the remaining steam and pressure.
6. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If you’re freezing the chicken, let it cool to room temperature before bagging it and freezing.

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

• Ages 2-3: Have them help you dump the ingredients into the instant pot. 
• Ages 4-5: Have them help you measure the ingredients, 
• Ages 6-8: Teach them how to turn on the instant pot and how to set it for this recipe. Teach them safe instant pot practices like how to put the lid on correctly and how to safely do a manual release. 
• Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 
• Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

The flavor and Recipe Variations:

• Mexican: Use lime juice instead of white vinegar, and in step 3 also add in 1.5 teaspoons each of cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. 
• Greek: Use lemon juice instead of white vinegar, and in step 3 also add in 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder and dried oregano. 
• Italian: Use 1/2 cup of zesty Italian dressing instead of vinegar and olive oil. In step 3 also add in 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried parsley.

Wondering what to do with all this shredded chicken? Check out these recipes using shredded chicken:

• BBQ Chicken Braid
• BBQ Chicken Salad
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Cindy’s Sausage Gumbo
• Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Inside Out Chicken Pot Pie
• Large-Batch Chicken Pasta Salad
• Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
• Navajo Tacos
• Tomato Chicken Alfredo

Side Dish Ideas to Serve with Shredded Chicken:

• Large-Batch 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
• Fresh Green Beans Almondine
• Easy Garlic Bread

How long is this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken good for:

• Serve: The chicken will be good for 2 hours at room temperature. 
• Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
• Freeze: Freeze shredded chicken in freezer-safe Ziploc bags for up to 4 months. 

How much will this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken cost:

Recipe Cost: $12.41 

Cost Per Cup: $1.04

Cost Per Serving: $0.52

To find out more on how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

• 5 pounds frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts – $11.68
• 1/4 cup white vinegar – $0.05
• 1/4 cup olive oil – $0.52
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar – $0.02
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt – $0.02
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper – $0.12

Cook’s Tools:

• Instant Pot pressure cooker
• liquid measuring cup

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Recipe Cost 12.41

Serving Cost 0.52

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

This bulk Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe is easy and such a time and budget-save! This recipe will yield 12 cups of juicy shredded chicken that will help with dinner prep.

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• Instant Pot pressure cooker
• Liquid measuring cup

Ingredients

• 5 pounds frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper

Instructions

• Place the frozen chicken into the instant pot.
  
• Pour the white vinegar and olive oil over the chicken.
  
• Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and sugar over the chicken.
  
• Close and seal the Instant Pot and cook on HIGH pressure for 25 minutes.
• Once done, let the Instant pot natural release for 10 minutes, and then manually release the remaining steam and pressure.
  
• Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If you're freezing the chicken, let it cool to room temperature before bagging it and freezing.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

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