1-First Step: Combine Ingredients Begin by adding the chicken breasts, seasonings, and chicken stock to the Instant Pot bowl. Specifically, take your 2 to 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts and mix them with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour in 1 cup of chicken stock or water, then toss everything briefly to coat the chicken evenly. Spread the chicken in an even layer at the bottom of the pot for uniform cooking.

2-Second Step: Pressure Cook Once your ingredients are prepped, seal the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, as this timing works best for fresh boneless chicken. After the cooking time ends, let it sit for a 5-minute natural release to help keep the chicken juicy, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Always ensure the pot is handled safely to avoid burns.

3-Third Step: Shred the Chicken With the pressure released, remove the lid and use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot. This method makes it simple to pull apart the tender meat while it’s still warm. Toss the shredded chicken thoroughly with the juices left in the cooker to soak up all that flavorful liquid, which adds moisture and taste to every bite.

4-Fourth Step: Serve or Store Now that your Instant Pot shredded chicken is ready, enjoy it warm in your favorite dish, like tacos or salads. If you’re prepping ahead, transfer it to a sealed container for storage. Remember, this recipe has a prep time of just 5 minutes, cook time of 20 minutes, and totals about 25 minutes, yielding 6-8 servings to feed the family.

5-Final Step: Adapt for Preferences To make this Instant Pot shredded chicken suit different dietary needs, consider substitutions like using boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor. If you’re working with frozen chicken, add 2 extra minutes to the high-pressure cooking time. This flexibility ensures the recipe fits into your routine, whether you’re cooking for one or a group.