Chicken Carnitas (Instant Pot)

Chicken Carnitas in the Instant Pot effortlessly combines tender shredded chicken with aromatic spices, creating a taste and texture that will transport your taste buds south of the border. The Instant Pot streamlines the cooking process, infusing rich flavors into the meat in record time. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or a cozy weeknight dinner, our Chicken Carnitas are destined to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Who doesn’t love Tex-Mex? Around here, we’re huge fans. Serve up carnitas with a sweet and tart limeade margarita. And you can use these carnitas as the protein in these easy burrito bowls or these super cheesy taco stuffed shells.

What are carnitas?

Carnitas is a Spanish word that literally means “little meats.” It’s a Mexican dish that’s traditionally made with slow-cooked pork that has been shredded and browned until crispy. You can also use beef or chicken to make carnitas. The meat is typically marinated in a mixture of citrus juices, spices, and aromatics before being cooked. Carnitas are usually used as the protein in our favorite Tex-Mex dinners, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and nachos.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas

• It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. Of course, being an Instant Pot recipe, these carnitas are FAST. Instant Pot carnitas take about 40 minutes to make (much faster than the HOURS I’ve spent on them in the past).
• It’s healthy and delicious. Chicken carnitas are as healthy as boneless, skinless chicken breast! The only sugary additive is freshly squeezed orange juice.
• It’s versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. You can use this recipe to make burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, enchiladas, and many more classic dishes.
• Makes a great freezer meal. You can make a bunch of this shredded carnitas chicken and freeze it in portions for quick and easy lunches and dinners.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 2 limes juiced
• 1 orange juiced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 4 chipotles in adobo sauce chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• corn tortillas
• jalapenos, cilantro, avocado optional

How to Make Chicken Carnitas (Instant Pot)

STEP ONE: Blend the sauce. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the onion, lime juice, orange juice, chicken broth, garlic, chipotles, and salt.

STEP TWO: Cook the chicken and preheat the oven broiler. Place the chicken breasts and onions into the Instant Pot and pour the sauce on top. Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and turn the valve to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the time is up, do a quick release of the pressure. Take the chicken out of the Instant Pot and shred it. Reserve 1/2 cup of the juices in the bottom of the Instant Pot.

STEP THREE: Broil the chicken. Place the shredded chicken onto a rimmed baking sheet with 1/4 of the carnitas juices from the Instant Pot. Broil the chicken on high for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour another 1/4 cup of cooking liquid over the chicken. Broil for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is browned and crispy.

STEP FOUR: Serve. Serve the chicken carnitas in warmed tortillas with cilantro, jalapenos, avocados, and extra adobo sauce.

What to Serve With Carnitas

Chicken carnitas can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:

Tacos: Serve chicken carnitas in corn or flour tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, Monterey Jack cheese, and shredded lettuce.

Burritos: Fill tortillas with chicken carnitas, rice, beans, and your favorite toppings. Yum! How about adding them to these cheesy beans and rice burritos?

Enchiladas: Spread chicken carnitas over tortillas and roll them up. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nachos: Spread chicken carnitas over tortilla chips and top with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. You can even add them to these loaded sweet potato nachos!

Tips and Recipe Notes

• Don’t overcook the chicken. It should be cooked through but still juicy.
• Keep a close eye on the chicken in the boiler, too, so it doesn’t burn. You don’t want the liquid to dry up completely.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make chicken carnitas ahead of time. Cook the chicken and sauce according to the recipe, then, let the chicken cool completely, and shred it. Store the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it (see directions above). When you’re ready to serve, reheat the chicken and sauce and assemble your dinner!

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and corn tortillas and selecting a gluten-free chicken broth brand.

Storage Instructions

I think Mexican food makes the best leftovers. The flavors just seem to get better and better, don’t they? You can use your leftovers to make all kinds of other dishes, top a salad, or just eat the chicken with a fork! Here’s how to store them:

In the fridge: Place the leftover carnitas in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a Ziploc baggie. You just don’t want the carnitas to dry out, so make sure you pack them up tightly. They’ll be good to eat for up to 3 days.

In the freezer: Carnitas is great for freezing and pulling out on another busy day. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Place the chicken carnitas in a freezer-safe container or bag and remove as much air as possible.

How to reheat: When you are ready to reheat, thaw the chicken carnitas overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours (if frozen). Chicken carnitas can be reheated in a variety of ways. Here are a few options:

• Microwave: Heat the chicken carnitas in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
• Stovetop: Heat the chicken carnitas in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. You might want to add a touch of broth so they don’t get dried out.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the chicken carnitas on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

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