Instant Pot Chicken Chili

This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili is made with chicken, beans, and a hearty, thick, richly seasoned broth. It cooks up in record time and can be prepared with fresh or frozen chicken.

While this is a chicken chili made with pinto beans and a rich red sauce, if you are more in the mood for white, creamy chicken chili, be sure to check out my recipe for Instant Pot White Chicken Chili.

Chicken Chili Made Fast

I love my recipe for Crockpot Chicken Chili. But it takes HOURS to prepare.

This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili is a dump-and-go recipe that is made in less than an hour. It delivers the same incredible flavors with fairly basic pantry staples.

Made with chicken, beans, tomatoes, and perfectly spiced, this hearty chicken chili is filling, wholesome, and couldn't be easier to make.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Chili

• Chicken: This recipe will work with fresh or frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
• Beans: Use pinto beans, red beans, kidney beans or black beans for the recipe.
• Liquid: In order for presssure to be reached, you need thin liquid. For the thin liquid, I use a combination chicken broth and beer. The beer adds a nice depth of flavor, but you certainly can omit it and use additional chicken broth.
• Seasonings: I use my homemade blend Taco Seasoning, made with chili powder, cumin, paprik, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, which adds just the right amount of flavor.
• Corn: I love adding a bit of corn for some sweetness. You can use frozen or canned corn.
• Diced Tomatoes: I recommend using a combination of regular diced tomatoes and diced tomaotes with green chiles, which adds flavor without making the chili too spicy for sensitive palates--AKA the kids!
• Lime: Don't overlook finishing the chili with the juice of a fresh lime. It really brightens up the flavor.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Chili

This recipe could not be any easier to make. It is seriously a dump-and-go recipe that can be made with minutes of prep work.

• Combine the chicken broth, beer, diced tomatoes, seasonings, corn and beans in the inner pot. Give everything a mix.
• Nestle the whole pieces of chicken into the liquid.
• Place the lid on the inner pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Set to cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes if using fresh chicken or 20 minutes if using frozen chicken.
• Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes on its own.
• After 15 minutes, you can release any remaining pressure if needed, by knocking the vent knob from the sealed to venting position.
• Remove the chicken from the inner pot and shred or cut into bite-size pieces. Alternatively, you can leave the chicken in the inner pot while shredding, but it can be a bit more cumbersome to work with while submerged in the chili.
• Add the chicken and juice of a fresh lime back to the inner pot. Stir to combine and then serve as desired.

How to Serve Chicken Chili

This Instant Pot Chicken Chili is fabulous served topped with cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips.

You can also opt to serve the chicken chili over Instant Pot Rice or Instant Pot Baked Potatoes for an even heartier meal.

Using Dried Beans

If you happen to have dried beans in the pantry, you can use the Instant Pot to prepare them for this chili, which makes this recipe that much more affordable.

Using my recipe for Instant Pot Beans as a starting point, combine 1 cup of dried pinto beans with 4 cups of water in the inner pot. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. Drain the beans and use them to prepare the chicken chili as directed.

Storage Instructions

You can store leftover Instant Pot Chicken Chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container, leaving 1-inch of space for expansion, for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Recipe Notes

Gluten-Free Modification: Omit the beer and use additional chicken stock or broth, as beer does contain gluten.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

• Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Breast
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

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If you tried this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.