Save time and money with this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe. It makes 12 cups of juicy chicken you can freeze for quick weeknight dinners.
Table of Contents
Shredded Chicken Instant Pot
If you’ve ever wished dinner could come together faster, this recipe is life-changing. I love that I can toss in a big batch of frozen chicken straight from the freezer, with no thawing required, and the Instant Pot does the work for me. In less than an hour, I have 12 cups of juicy chicken that is full of flavor and ready to use in another recipe or divide into portions for freezing.
I use this shredded chicken for quesadillas, a chicken salad, nachos, burrito bowls, nachos, quick tacos, green salads, casseroles, or sandwiches. The simple mix of vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper keeps it tender and perfectly seasoned without being overpowering, so it works in just about any recipe. Easy steps plus simple ingredients equals the kind of recipe you’ll use again and again!
Ingredients and Estimated Cost:
Here is everything you need to make this shredded chicken, as well as some simple substitution recommendations.
- Frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts (5 pounds – $11.76) – The star of the recipe. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as an alternative, although the flavor will be slightly different, and you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- White vinegar (¼ cup – $0.01) – Helps tenderize the chicken. Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
- Olive oil (¼ cup – $0.16) – Adds moisture to the chicken and gives the chicken a rich flavor. You can also use vegetable or avocado oil.
- Granulated sugar (1 Tablespoon – $0.02) – Balances the acidity and seasoning. Honey can be used instead for a slightly different taste.
- Salt – (1 ½ teaspoons – $0.01) – Enhances the overall flavor of the chicken. Garlic salt or seasoned salt will work as well.
- Black pepper (1 ½ teaspoons – $0.11) – Gives a mild heat that complements the chicken. You can use white pepper as a substitute.
The cost of the recipe is calculated based on the amounts needed. To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in August 2025.
How to Make Shredded Chicken
Add the ingredients to the Instant Pot, cook, release, and shred. Let me show you how.
- Add frozen chicken to the Instant Pot and drizzle with white vinegar and olive oil.
- Season with salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Close and seal the Instant Pot, and cook on HIGH pressure for 25 minutes.
- Natural release for 10 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure. Shred the chicken and serve it, or cool it for freezing if desired.
Recipe Tips
You can easily adjust the flavor profile of this shredded chicken with a few simple changes.
Mexican: Use lime juice instead of white vinegar, and in step 3, also add 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 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder and dried oregano.
Italian: Use ½ cup of zesty Italian dressing instead of vinegar and olive oil. In step 3, add one tablespoon each of garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried parsley.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Recipe Cost $12.07 Serving Cost $0.50Equipment
- 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 naturally 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 and freezing it.
Notes
Nutrition
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken FAQs
Yes, you can. However, you will need to reduce the cooking time to about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
The chicken shreds effortlessly straight from the Instant Pot. Use two forks and watch it fall apart!
They are not the same, however, either can be used in this shredded chicken recipe.
Wondering what to do with all this shredded chicken?
Check out these recipes for different meals using shredded chicken:
Amanda says
I’m blown away by how delicious this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken turned out.
Alicia says
this recipe is a game changer!! I just froze a bunch of shredded chicken to pull out for casseroles or enchiladas or whatever. it turned out so well and it shredded like a dream with my little hand mixer. thank you!!
Jess Jankowski says
Total game changer, right?! Thank you for review!
Nicole says
Can you make this in a slow cooker? How long would you cook it?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Nicole, we imagine that you can make it in a slow cooker, but we have not tested it. Just guessing it would need to cook for around 6-8 hours on low. Let us know if you try it.
SL G says
Our budget for groceries hasn’t changed in the last few years, but this year’s inflation has everyone I know pinching pennies. This recipe has been such an asset, thank you very much for posting it!
I use the shredded chicken for a variety of dishes throughout the week. Using one recipe, I can make my father’s lunches all week and feed my family several meals. I can make a variety of dishes (soups, tacos, pastas, etc) and mix the flavor profiles so it doesn’t feel like the same chicken dish every night.
Putting good, lean protein on the table without breaking into the gas money is a big victory. Thanks again!
Jess Jankowski says
We so appreciate your perspective and feedback. We are so happy we can help you in a small way every week. Thank you!
Liza says
This looks great! Does the chicken have to be frozen at the start? I’m new to the IP….do you know how the cook time would change, if at all, if not using frozen chicken? Thank you!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi. We have only made it from frozen chicken breasts because it is just so convenient. But I just did a google search and it sounds like you can do it with thawed chicken and just reduce the time to about 20 minutes. If you try it out, let us know!
Calvin says
Really useful, this yields a lot of chicken which is so versatile. Good idea.
Jess Jankowski says
Calvin, it is super cost effective too! We love how you can use it in so many different recipes.
Wendy Collins says
Love this recipe! Made it tonight and used for dinner and still have enough to use for other meals this week or freeze. I am known for making dry chicken… but this recipe changed that! Even my husband and son raved about how moist and flavorful this was!!!
Jess Jankowski says
Total win if the family is happy! Woot woot!
Doris Huddleston says
Another winning recipe for the Instant Pot!
Jess Jankowski says
It is honestly my all time favorite recipe in the Instant Pot!
Margo says
K, don’t laugh at my novice question… is white vinegar the same as distilled? I googled and got lots of different answers . My husband has a running joke in his family about him messing up a recipe for a date night dinner in high school using distilled vinegar on accident so now I’m nervous
Jess Jankowski says
It’s a good question! They are not the same. However, you can use either in this recipe!
Tisha says
This is a perfect way to cook chicken! So great for meal prep!
Jess Jankowski says
Agreed!
Brian Jones says
What a fab idea, perfect for filling up my freezer for autumn and it has so many uses!
Jess Jankowski says
Yes, such a good idea to freeze and use later!
Tonje says
What a great way to prepare for a busy week. I always do my shredded chicken in my slow cooker, but this would for sure speed things up. I’m definitely going to try it!
Irina says
This Shredded Chicken recipe sounds so helpful for busy moms! I am going to try your recipe for sure! Thank you for the step by step photographed explanations!
Jess Jankowski says
You’re so welcome! Excited for you to try it!
Sonal says
I love my instant pot. It makes cooking so effortless and easy. Love the idea of shredded kitchen in it.
Jess Jankowski says
The Instant Pot is a must have for sure!
Nellie Tracy says
Love how easy this recipe is!
Jess Jankowski says
Me too! Hope you love it!
Taylor says
We make this weekly at our house! So easy and versatile!
Jess Jankowski says
That is so awesome! It makes meal prep so much easier!
Marie Wright says
I love love shredding chicken this way. So easy. 20-30 min later & I have an entire week of shredded chicken ready for salads, casseroles, pasta, etc…
Jess Jankowski says
Such a simple thing to help make meals a little bit easier!
Audra says
I’m excited to try this recipe. Information on recipes on how to prep the meat is a pet peeve of mine too! I have never taken the plunge to buy an instant pot but this makes it look worth it!
Jess Jankowski says
Take the plunge! Treat yourself for Christmas!
Julie Champine says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
This makes us do our happy dance!!!
Julie Champine says
I’m excited for this and thank you SO much for including the Instant Pot Preheating and Pressure Release time!!
Jess Jankowski says
The pre-heating and pressure release time are key! I didn’t take that into account the first time I used the Instant Pot and my meal wasn’t ready until about 9pm! LOL