Mexican Mess

Instant Pot Mexican Mess–is a messy tex-mex dish with chicken, sweet corn, refried beans, green chiles, cheese and Fritos. It’s just as yummy as it is messy!

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Instant Pot Mexican Mess Recipe

I found this recipe in a cookbook that my sister gave me. It’s a binder with a compilation of random recipes from members of her church congregation. This one was called Mexican Mess and the original author, Carmen, stated, “This recipe was given to me by one of the RNs in the the operating room. She named it! It has been a family favorite for many years. It is quick and easy and adapts to any size.” The original recipe was baked in the oven but of course I changed my version to be made in the Instant Pot. It’s a delicious dinner despite not being the prettiest looking dinner! I loved the flavors for the enchilada sauce mixed with the refried beans. I think you’ll love it too! Give it a shot for dinner this week.

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

• Uncooked chicken breasts or thighs or cooked chicken–I like rotisserie chicken
• Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
• Oregano
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Red enchilada sauce–I used mild
• Refried beans
• Frozen super sweet white corn
• Diced green chiles
• Sliced olives
• Shredded cheddar–or another type of cheese like monterey jack, colby, pepper jack
• Fritos–I used the big scoops Fritos. You can also use your favorite tortilla chips.

Steps

Add chicken and broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle chicken with the oregano, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder. Dump enchilada sauce on top of chicken.

Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. If you’re using cooked chicken set the pressure cook button to 3 minutes. If you’re using uncooked chicken breasts or thighs use a 10 minute pressure cook time. When the time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. 

Shred the chicken. Stir the refried beans into the pot.

Sprinkle the corn evenly over the top.

Then the green chiles…

And olives

Use an air fryer lid to air fry for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sprinkle half of cheddar, then the Fritos. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top and air fry for 3 more minutes at 350 degrees. 

Serve and enjoy!

Notes/Tips

• What if I don’t have an air fryer lid? After the pressure cooking time is up you can shred the chicken and stir in the refried beans until smooth. Then add the mixture into a square baking dish. Layer the corn, green chiles, olives, cheese, fritos and more cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 
• I like using rotisserie chicken for recipes like this one. I buy the $4.99 chickens at Costco and remove the meat and store in the freezer in ziplock bags. Then I use it in recipes that call for cooked chicken.
• Serve with some fresh fruit like watermelon and a chopped green salad.
• I used my Duo Crisp 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
• Store leftovers (the part without the Fritos) in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I removed the Fritos before refrigerating because they get soggy and are unappetizing.
• Other recipes you can make with Fritos are Instant Pot Frito Chicken Casserole and Instant Pot Frito Pie Chili.

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More Instant Pot Mexican-Inspired Recipes…

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. 

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*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.