Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Salsa Chicken–the best tasting and easiest chicken recipe ever! Chicken that is flavored with salsa and cheddar tastes great served over rice or rolled up in a tortilla.
Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Salsa Chicken
Okay so you may be thinking that this recipe is so simple and the ingredients are so basic that it can’t be that great (plus the pictures don’t look all that appetizing). Well it really is! I loved the effort to results ratio on this recipe. With a small amount of effort you can have really tasty chicken. Try it and you’ll see. The cheesy salsa coated chicken tasted perfect over rice (I made the rice in a separate Instant Pot). But you can also get creative and serve it many different ways (burritos, quesadillas, tacos, salads, etc.).
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts—or a combination of the two
- Garlic salt
- Pace’s Picante Sauce–I used mild
- Shredded cheddar cheese–I buy a block of cheese and shred it rather than buying pre-shredded cheese
The Basic Steps
This recipe is so easy that it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. This recipe is also great for college students or teenagers to make.
- Pressure cook the chicken and shred.
- Stir in the picante sauce and cheese.
- Serve the chicken.
Notes/Tips
- This chicken is great for tacos, over rice, in quesadillas or on salad.
- Try serving with a dollop of sour cream on top or some diced avocados. A squeeze of lime juice would be amazing too.
- This recipe is gluten-free.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with Pace’s Picante Sauce are Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Casserole and Instant Pot Cattle Drive Casserole.
More 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Recipes…
Instant Pot Working Mom’s Soup
The easiest dump and go soup that takes minimal effort and minimal time! Chicken, vegetables and macaroni make up this busy weeknight soup.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken
Tender chicken bathed in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce with lots of flavor!
Clean Out The Freezer Dinner (Instant Pot Or Crockpot)
Frozen meatballs and frozen raviolis with spaghetti sauce make a tasty meal that takes about 2 minutes of prep time!
Instant Pot Ohio Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Popular in the Midwest, these creamy chicken and stuffing sandwiches can be made in the Instant Pot or the slow cooker.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Salsa Chicken
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
The best tasting and easiest chicken recipe ever! Chicken that is flavored with salsa and cheddar tastes great served over rice or rolled up in a tortilla.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (or a combination of the two)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 cup Pace’s Picante Sauce (I used mild)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Add broth and chicken into Instant Pot. Sprinkle the chicken with garlic salt.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes for fresh chicken or 13 minutes for frozen chicken. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Discard the broth. Then shred the chicken. Stir the picante sauce and cheese into the chicken and let the cheese melt.
- Serve the chicken on top of rice or rolled up in tortillas.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Add only ¼ cup broth, chicken, garlic salt and picante sauce into slow cooker and stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Shred the chicken. Stir the cheese into the chicken and let the cheese melt.
- Serve the chicken on top of rice or rolled up in tortillas.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Can I use mild salsa
She noted that she also uses mild. You can use whatever heat you and family like, I am sure.
I think her question is can she use mild salsa instead of mild picante sauce.
yes that is what I use!