This simple recipe is the weeknight dinner of your dreams – delicious, easy, and kid-pleasing. Serve our Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl with chips like nachos, over rice for an amazing version of a burrito bowl, or as a taco filling. Make this your dinner tonight!
It was a weeknight just like today when this recipe was born. We wanted a chicken taco bowl recipe that wasn’t a soup and had minimal ingredients. It had to be easy because I was short on time. And the Instant Pot was the only option because I forgot to take my chicken out of the freezer.
Why can’t I ever remember to take the meat out of the freezer? Thank goodness for the pressure cooker, which makes cooking from frozen not only possible, but quick and easy!
Sometimes you need a recipe that uses pantry ingredients, nothing unusual to hunt down, and that you can simply throw in a pot. Hit the button and walk away for awhile, then – *poof* – dinner’s ready!
It Really Is That Simple
Just put everything into your Instant Pot. Your chicken can be thawed or frozen and your corn can be frozen or canned. Any type of taco seasoning and any type of red salsa will work here, too. We like this homemade taco seasoning blend from BudgetBytes. It’s easy, healthier, and less expensive to make your own and you can tailor it to your personal taste!
Set it to pressure cook for 18 minutes on the middle setting, which may be labeled “normal” or “medium.” By the time you’ve set the table and assembled your toppings, it will be cooked and ready to go. Simply release the steam manually and serve!
An Instant Pot is a great investment because it is so versatile and makes dinner so quick and easy, which is perfect for feeding a busy family. This version is a great option. It’s also great for hard-boiling eggs (the shells slip right off!) and for making our Instant Pot Vanilla Yogurt.
Topping your Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls
There are so many options, but basically anything goes. If you eat it with a taco, it will taste amazing atop these bowls.
Here are some of our favorite options:
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped lettuce
- Salsa
- Hot Sauce
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Diced red onion
- Sliced Green Onions
- Thinly sliced radishes
- Thinly sliced jalapeno, fresh or pickled
- Diced avocado or guacamole
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
This is a really fun build-your-own opportunity that kids always love. Place as many or as few toppings as you like out on the table and let everyone dress their own bowls.
If you are entertaining, this is a great board option. Place an array of toppings on a large board with the meat mixture in a bowl in the middle. It’s so easy and so much fun. Plus, it tastes amazing, so everyone will love it!
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Here are some wonderful options to serve with these Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls: Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dark Chocolate Pecan Cookies, Lemon Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze, or Strawberry Shortcake made with Strawberry Shortcake Scones and Simple Strawberry Sauce. Yum!
Enjoy!
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 15-1/4 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-1/4 ounce can corn, drained (or 1-3/4 cups frozen corn)
- 1 14-1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes with the liquid
- 1 cup tomato-based jarred salsa
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped lettuce
- Salsa
- Hot Sauce
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Diced red onion
- Thinly sliced jalapeno fresh or pickled
- Diced avocado
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Place chicken in the instant pot sprinkle with salt, pepper and taco seasoning. Add beans, corn, tomatoes, and salsa. Secure lid of the instant pot and program it to pressure cook on medium ("normal") for 18 minutes. When finished, release the steam manually. Remove chicken and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Chop or shred the chicken then return it to the pot, stirring it in.
- Spoon chicken mixture into bowls and top as desired. Serve with chips and/or rice.
Notes
- The chicken can be fresh or frozen. No need to thaw frozen chicken, but it may take a couple of minutes longer to cook.
- Any kind of taco seasoning will work here. Use your favorite! We like this homemade blend from budgetbytes.com.
- Any type of red salsa will be delicious. Again, choose your favorite!
