This Instant Pot Mexican Chicken is a go-to recipe in my kitchen. It’s quick, flavorful, and the chicken turns out tender every time.
With just a few ingredients, I can whip it up without much fuss. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or I just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, this dish always saves the day 🙂
The chicken is so juicy, just the right amount of spicy, and it’s super easy to make thanks to your pressure cooker! I like to serve it with lime wedges, as lime wedges are often passed alongside spicy dishes in Mexico. The acidity of a fresh squeezed lime is the perfect complement to this spicy dish!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This Mexican Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that takes advantage of basic pantry staples. The Instant Pot makes the cooking super easy, locking in all the flavors. You don’t need much time or many ingredients, and you get a meal that’s packed with bold Mexican flavors. The chicken turns out juicy, and the tomatoes add a nice tang.
It’s also versatile. Whether you want to serve it with rice, tacos, or a salad, this recipe works for all kinds of meals. You can even tweak the spices to suit your taste, making it mild or extra spicy. Plus, since it's cooked in the Instant Pot, there’s little cleanup afterward!
Can I Use Chicken Thighs?
Yes—this recipe calls for chicken breast but you could easily substitute chicken thighs instead.
Can I Use Regular Diced Tomatoes?
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a ton of charred smoky flavor to this dish. You can use regular tomatoes, but the dish will be more mild-flavored. You could try adding a small dash of liquid smoke to regular canned diced tomatoes for a similar result.
How Can I Make it Less Spicy?
The spice in this recipe comes from the relatively large amount of chili powder and it will vary depending on the spice level of the chili powder you’re using. If you want it to be a little less spicy, simply add less chili powder or use a milder chili powder.
On the other hand, if you want to increase the spiciness of the dish, feel free to use more chili powder or add a splash of hot sauce to the mix!
How to Serve
This Mexican chicken is so flexible that you can serve it in many ways. It’s great over jasmine rice, wrapped in a soft tortilla, or even on top of a salad for a light meal. The bold flavors pair well with simple sides, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right match.
Here are a few specific ideas to try:
- Serve over cilantro lime rice with a dollop of sour cream.
- Use it as a filling for tacos, topped with shredded cheese and avocado.
- Make a burrito bowl by layering it with guacamole, black beans, and salsa.
Similar Recipes
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast cubed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes in their juices about 15 ounces
- chopped fresh cilantro for serving
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to on sauté and add the oil. Add chicken and salt and cook and stirring for about 3 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder and stir to combine.
- Add the diced tomatoes and... stir.
- Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.
- When cooking time ends, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, and then do quick pressure release.
- Remove the lid and stir.
- Serve hot with rice and any desired toppings.
Well, went back to verify after printing as I thought I would have noticed the strange measurements. They went back to normal sizes for this recipie. Don't know what happened, but all is well. Reprinted. the mexican chicken recipie.