Salsa Chicken is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. With just a few ingredients and your Instant Pot, you will have a versatile dish that is perfect for meal prep.

Salsa Chicken in a white bowl with a cilantro garnish

Why This Is The Best Way To Make Salsa Chicken

Fast. A quick weeknight meal that is ready in under 30 minutes with the help of your Instant Pot.
Easy. This a simple pour and cook recipe that is perfect for beginners.
Low Carb. Only 7 net carbs per serving.
Gluten-Free. No need for any specialty ingredients when you use items that are naturally gluten free.
Minimal Ingredients. Skip the extra trip to the grocery store with this Salsa Chicken recipe that uses only 5 ingredients.

How Do You Cook With Salsa

Believe it or not, salsa is the most popular condiment in the world! Since it is most commonly eaten as a condiment or dip, you may be unsure of the best way to repurpose it for cooking.

Salsa is actually great to use when you're cooking a meat protein. The acidity from the tomatoes and vinegar help tenderize the meat. The spices and freshness from the tomatoes, onions, and peppers give a robust flavor to anything you're cooking with it.

When I cook with salsa, I prefer to use it to either create a sauce or use it as a marinade. For this recipe, it creates a flavorful sauce that coats the cooked and shredded chicken.

Ingredients You'll Need

How often can you find a meal that doesn't feel rushed that only uses five ingredients to make? This Salsa Chicken recipe is tiny in ingredients, but mighty in flavor!

Chicken Breast- You can also use chicken thighs for a more affordable option with a higher fat content.
Salsa- Use your favorite salsa for this recipe. If you're eating low carb, you will want to use a low sugar salsa.
Oregano- The three spices used in this recipe are to replicate the flavor of taco seasoning, without using a prepackaged option.
Cumin
Garlic Powder

How To Make Salsa Chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into 1" chunks.
Place the chicken chunks into the Instant Pot liner.
Sprinkle the seasonings over the top of the chicken breasts.
Pour the jar of salsa over the chicken breasts. DO NOT STIR. Stirring can cause the salsa to stick to the bottom of the pan when the pot is coming to pressure and cause a burn warning.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and cook under high pressure for 10 minutes. All the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Manually release all remaining pressure after the 10 minutes have elapsed.
Remove the chicken breast chunks from the Instant Pot and shred the chicken.
Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot with the cooked salsa and spices. Set the Instant Pot to saute.
Stirring frequently, allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce until any excess moisture has reduced and you're left with a delicious salsa chicken.
Serve with your favorite side dish or garnish and enjoy!

Overhead shot of salsa chicken in a white bowl with a cilantro garnish

Variations

If you're looking for ways to keep Salsa Chicken exciting, here are a few different ways you can enjoy it. With just the switch of base ingredients, you can have a completely different dinner experience.

Bulk it up. If you're not watching your carbs, add a can of drained and rinsed black beans and a can of drained and rinsed corn to the salsa chicken after it is done cooking. The residual heat while the sauce is reducing will warm the beans and corn through.
Make Tacos. Wrap a hearty portion of this salsa chicken in a lettuce or low carb wrap for your next Taco Tuesday celebration.
Snazz up a salad. While I am a sucker for a delicious Big Mac Salad, sometimes I need to switch it up a bit. Add this shredded chicken to the top of your favorite salad with some keto ranch dressing for a light and flavor-packed meal.

What To Serve With Salsa Chicken

How Long Does It Last?

Have a busy week with not a lot of time to cook? This Salsa Chicken is a meal prepper's dream come true! The salsa keeps the chicken moist and it reheats extremely well.

For the best bite, I recommend storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoying them within 3-4 days of preparing the recipe.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Salsa chicken is incredibly easy, but it is far from the only simple Instant Pot Chicken recipe I've created! If you want even more time saving meal solutions, check out some of these recipes:

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