This dump and cook recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili delivers intense flavor using simple ingredients!
While I love Instant Pot White Chicken Chili, when I want something FAST or am craving a red chicken chili, I turn to this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili. It is a heartier, thicker version of Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, and super delicious!
Why You Will Love Instant Pot Chicken Chili
- Flavorful Recipe. This chicken chili features a rich tomato base that is seasoned with taco seasoning, lime juice, and beer for a Tex-Mex punch of flavor.
- Easy Instant Pot Recipe. Inspired by my recipe for Crockpot Chicken Chili, this taco chili is a dump-and-cook recipe that delivers intense flavor with minimal effort.
- Inexpensive Recipe. Instant Pot Taco Chili is made with basic pantry staples. In fact, you can even replace the chicken with beans for an even more economical meal.
- Adaptable. I have made this recipe in a million different ways, using what I have on hand. The beans, chicken, and tomatoes can all be swapped out to use what you can on hand.
- Crowd-Favorite. Everyone enjoys the Tex-Mex flavors in this Taco Chili. It is a kid-friendly favorite dinner recipe.
Notes on Ingredients
This recipe is made with really inexpensive, basic pantry ingredients. When pressure-cooked together, these simple ingredients develop an intense flavor that tastes as though the chili was cooked for hours and hours.
- 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.
- Beer (optional) Liquid: Using a pale lager, such as Corona, adds a nice depth of flavor and tang to the chili, but you can certainly use additional chicken broth in place of the beer if you don't care to cook with alcohol or are gluten-free.
- Diced Tomatoes: I recommend using a combination of regular diced tomatoes and diced tomatoes with green chiles (AKA Rotel tomatoes), which adds flavor without making the chili too spicy for sensitive palates.
- Lime: Don't overlook finishing the chili with the juice of fresh lime. It really brightens up the flavor and makes these humble ingredients pop.
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 just minutes of prep work. There are only a few things to keep in mind when making this recipe to ensure the best results. For the full recipe be sure to refer to the recipe card.
- Layer the ingredients but DON'T stir the tomatoes! To prevent a burn notice, it is best to stir the stock, beef, seasonings, beans, and corn together in the inner pot. THEN pour your tomatoes overtop the ingredients and top with the uncooked chicken. This will help prevent a burn notice.
- Pressure Cook with a natural pressure release. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes on its own. This just means to leave the Instant Pot alone and don't try to force the lid open or open the venting knob on the pressure cooker. This is key to keeping the chicken tender!
- Shred the Chicken. Remove the chicken from the inner pot to a cutting board. Shred chicken using 3 forks until it is in bite-sized pieces and then stir back into the inner pot.
- Finish with lime juice. To make the flavors in this Tex-Mex chicken chili pop, squeeze the juice of one fresh lime into the chicken chili right before serving. The acidity will balance out the flavors and make your tastebuds dance.
How to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Chili
This Instant Pot Taco Chili is fabulous topped with diced avocado, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, and/or tortilla chips. It also packs enough flavor on its own that you can serve the chicken chili without any toppings and still feel satisfied.
To stretch this meal a little further, I love serving leftover Instant Pot Chicken Chili over Instant Pot Rice or Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, as you only need a small amount of leftovers for a hearty meal.
Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-Free: To make this Instant Pot Chicken Chili gluten-free, use gluten-free beer or omit the beer and use additional chicken stock or broth in its place.
- No Instant Pot? Use my recipe for Crockpot Chicken Chili for the same delicious flavors.
- Don't like Diced Tomatoes? Use crushed tomatoes in their place. Or salsa for a bit of additional flavor.
- Start with Dried Beans: 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.
- Keep it Vegetarian: Double the amount of beans, omit the chicken, and use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.
Leftover Instant Pot Chicken Chili
- Refrigerate: Store the leftover cooled chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Allow the chili to cool, transfer to a freezer-safe container leaving 1 inch of space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: If needed, defrost the chili in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat individual servings in a heat-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
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 Gnocchi Soup
- Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
If you tried this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken stock
- ½ cup light lager beer or additional stock
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles (mild) AKA Rotel Tomatoes
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs fresh or frozen
- 1 lime juiced
Instructions
- Combine the chicken stock, beer, corn, beans, taco seasoning, and minced garlic in the inner pot. Mix well to combine. Pour the tomatoes over the mixture in the inner pot. Do NOT mix. Nestle the chicken into the liquid.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker and turn the valve to "seal." Set to cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes for fresh chicken or 20 minutes for frozen chicken.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes. After pressure has been released, remove the lid on the Instant Pot.
- Remove the chicken from the inner pot to a cutting board. Shred chicken using 3 forks until it is in bite-sized pieces.
- Add the shredded chicken, along with the juice of a fresh lime into the inner pot, and stir to combine.
- Serve this chicken chili with cheese, sour cream, chips, cilantro, etc
Victoria Johnson
We love this recipe. I have changed it a little to include 3rd can of beans for less juice but it is the best and super easy.
Thank you for sharing
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome, Victoria! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and review as well.
Robin
I’m in love!
Tasted great and so easy to make. I used one can of black beans and one can of chick peas and I included one green pepper, other then that I followed your directions. Can’t wait to have the left overs tonight. Keep those InstantPot recipes coming.
Kristen Chidsey
You bet Robin! Thanks for sharing!
Micki McBee
Hello! My family LOVES this chili! It’s so easy to throw together!
How would you adapt it for the slow cooker?
Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that Micki! I have a recipe for Crockpot Chicken Chili you will enjoy!