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Instant Pot Seasoned Chicken

This dish features chicken cooked quickly in an Instant Pot until tender and shreddable. The chicken is seasoned with herbs like sage and smoked paprika, resulting in a flavorful, juicy final texture with a slightly smoky aroma. The dish displays shredded meat with a moist appearance, perfect for serving as a main or filling.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Start by slicing the chicken breasts into large chunks or strips for even cooking. Place the chicken on your cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut through smoothly, listening for a clean cut.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the sage, smoked paprika, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined, creating a flavorful spice mixture.
  3. Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the chicken pieces, then use clean hands or a spoon to toss and coat all sides thoroughly. The chicken should look evenly seasoned and slightly glistening with spices.
  4. Set your Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly browned and fragrant, hearing a gentle sizzle.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon for flavor. This creates a savory base to keep the chicken moist.
  6. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' on high for 10 minutes. Once it reaches pressure, the cooking begins, filling your kitchen with a warm aroma.
  7. After the cooking cycle completes, carefully use the quick-release method to release the pressure, listening for the hissing sound as the steam escapes—this signals it’s safe to open.
  8. Open the lid and check the chicken; it should be tender and easily shred with two forks. The broth and spices will have created a flavorful, aromatic sauce that coats the meat.
  9. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces directly in the cooking liquid, allowing the meat to soak up more flavor and become juicy and tender.
  10. Stir the shredded chicken to evenly distribute the spices and moisture, then serve straight from the pot or transfer to a serving dish. The final dish should be juicy, tender, and bursting with smoky, herby flavor.

Notes

Feel free to customize with additional herbs or serve over rice, in tacos, or with your favorite vegetables.