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Make this Instant Pot Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken in 30 minutes or less and enjoy all week. This flavorful shredded chicken is perfect for burritos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and much more!

Is it an exaggeration to say that I wanted an instant pot solely so I could easily make shredded chicken for my weekly meal preps? I use it for many other things, but it is perfect for Instant Pot Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken.
This healthy shredded chicken is SO flavorful and tender! Made with only 3 simple ingredients, this chicken is whole30 and paleo friendly and comes together in less than30 minutes. I like to prep all of my other food while the Instant Pot comes to pressure.
Side note about allowing your instant pot to come to pressure. This recipe takes 12 minutes to cook, but the Instant Pot will always take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the “cook” timer starts to count down.

This shredded chicken is SO versatile.
I use this salsa verde shredded chicken in many ways each time that I make it. The most common way I use it is in Whole30 friendly chipotle bowls with cauliflower rice.
Another delicious way to eat this shredded chicken is on quesadillas. I have recently come to absolutely love breakfast quesadillas and I love making a fried egg breakfast quesadilla with cheese and shredded chicken. Dip that quesadilla in some guacamole and you will be in heaven.
I also like making a big batch of this Whole30 shredded chicken and using it on some nachos. This recipe makes quite a bit of shredded chicken so if you can’t find enough ways to eat it in 4 days you can always freeze it in a sealed container and defrost it to enjoy later.

What do I need to make some Instant Pot Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken?
Obviously the instant pot is the most important kitchen gadget needed to make this healthy shredded chicken, but it is also helpful to have an electric hand mixer. Shredding chicken with an electric hand mixer is a little trick I was introduced to on Pinterest and it is a GAME CHANGER. When the chicken is done cooking you just use the hand mixer to shred instead of 2 forks and it is way easier.
The only ingredients you need to make this Instant Pot shredded chicken are boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 jar of salsa verde and a white nion. This recipe is easily Whole30 compliant if you check the ingredients in the salsa verde. If all of the ingredients are Whole30 compliant, then you are good to go!
I added an extra chopped onion to the recipe for extra flavor, but if you were in a rush while cooking, then you could leave it out. This instant pot salsa verde shredded chicken recipe is so simple you will want to be making it every week. It has become an at least once a month meal prep staple in my house.

It is super easy to make this Whole30 and paleo friendly instant pot salsa verde shredded chicken. Start by dicing a white onion and placing it in the instant pot. Pour half of the jar of salsa verde in on top of the onion. Layer 3 chicken breasts on top of the salsa and pour in the rest of salsa on top of that.
Close the instant pot and close the vent to sealing. Set the instant pot to manual for 12 minutes. Allow the instant pot to come to pressure for 10-15 minutes and then cook for 12 minutes.
Once the 12 minutes is up, allow the instant pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. Then manually release the pressure. Remove the chicken breasts from the instant pot and shred with 2 forks or an electric hand mixer.
Return shredded chicken to the instant pot and mix with the warm salsa verde. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can find the full recipe below and, as always, if you make this recipe, be sure to share your creations with me on Instagram!


Instant Pot Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken
- Prep Time: 5 mintues
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minute
- Yield: 3 Servings 1x
- Category: Lunch/Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican American
Description
Make this salsa verde shredded chicken in an instant pot in less than 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 a white onion diced
- 16oz jar salsa verde
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
Instructions
- Dice the white onion
- Add onion, chicken thighs, and salsa verde to the instant pot and stir to combine
- Close the Instant Pot vent to sealing
- Set the Instant Pot to manual for 12 minutes
- Allow the IP to come to pressure and then cook for 12 minutes
- Manually release the pressure
- Remove the chicken from the IP
- Shred with two forks and add shredded chicken back into the IP with the salsa verder
- Serve immediately or allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Keywords: salsa verde chicken, salsa verde shredded chicken, instant pot shredded chicken
What about the rest of the picture? How do you make your cauliflower rice? Do you season it with specific ingredients to go well with the chicken?
Hi Morgan,
I just cooked the cauliflower rice with avocado oil in a frying pan and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Thanks!
Can you just cook a chicken breast on stove top or in the oven with the sauce on it if you don’t have a instant pot?
Hi Kim! Yes I have not tested it myself for timing, but I would do it in a sauce pan on stove top. Pour the ingredients in with chicken breast and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until cooked through. Might take longer than the instant pot probably 30 minutes, but I have not tested it.
What else is in the meal you pictured? Thank you!
Hi Sherri! I have some shredded lettuce, sauteed peppers and onions, salsa, cauliflower rice and a little cheese
Hi! Do you have to add water to the Instant Pot, too?
Nope! Just the salsa verde will be good!
A simple and delicious recipe! First time using my instant pot and loved it, will definitely be making this again!
★★★★★
Thank you for sharing!! this is the perfect recipe for your first time using the instant pot!
This was the first recipe I tried in my instant pot and it turned out great!! Served it taco style with avocado, cilantro, and a little sour cream. Will be making again soon!!
ah yay I am so glad!! Its such a good one for the first IP use because its not intimidating