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Juicy Instant Pot shredded chicken in a bowl after cooking

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Juicy, lightly seasoned Instant Pot shredded chicken that’s perfect for meal prep. Neutral enough for chicken salad, BBQ sandwiches, soups, and more.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Instapot build and release 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken breast I like to put in 4-6 chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon (chicken) in 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp Italian or poultry seasoning
  • garlic powder, a light sprinkle
  • Salt and pepper, to taste I prefer white pepper
  • Zest from ½ lemon optional, but adds a nice brightness

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker

Method
 

  1. Add chicken to the Instant Pot. Pour in the bouillon mixture and add all seasonings. Toss gently to coat.
  2. Close the lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook on Manual / High Pressure for 9 minutes.
  3. Let pressure naturally release for 8–10 minutes, then vent remaining pressure.
  4. Remove chicken and shred using two forks or an electric beater.
  5. Store chicken with some of the cooking liquid to keep it moist, or discard and save liquid for soup if desired.

Notes

  • For meal prep, keep seasoning light so the chicken stays versatile.
  • For single-meal use, increase seasoning or add extra garlic, herbs, or lemon juice after shredding.
  • Store in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 2–3 months.
  • The Instant Pot takes approximately 15 minutes to come to pressure before the 9-minute cook time begins. This is normal and included in the total time listed.