Pressure Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Laura

I use the canned sauce technique all the time, it makes for a yummy stew, mild Herdez is my go to unless I buy it fresh from a Mexican grocer, I am lucky enough to be in San Diego. If you make it with pork butt and let it really reduce you get the yummiest carnitas. Adding green fresh garbanzos, when in season, or a handful of verdolagas or another green makes it a super complete meal, no need for extra starches

Janice Girard

No slow cooker, no onion or garlic powder. Sautéed a cut up onion, then the garlic and cumin. Combine with all other ingredients including boneless, skinless thighs. Bring to boil on stovetop, then into 350 degree oven with lid on Dutch oven for 30 minutes, then lid off for 15 more. Served with flour tortillas, cilantro, scallions, queso, and sour cream, sides of rice and beans. Rave reviews!

Stephanie

One of our favorite recipes. We make it at least once a month. We will often throw in frozen corn, diced red bell peppers, spinach, or any other veggies we may have in the fridge at the end, while the sauce is reducing. Serve with avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, with tortilla chips or taco shells. Sometimes we’ll also serve with pickled jalapeños and red onions, but I find it doesn’t even need it. Always a winner.

Chloe

Loved. I would maybe add closer to 1.75-2 lbs or chicken maybe next time because there is so much sauce. I would also salt and pepper the chicken first. But delicious and so easy.

Laura

I know this is old, but for future reference for others, I always pressure cook my chicken from another salsa chicken recipe for 30 minutes and let natural release either 15 minutes or completely, makes the chicken much softer.

Tips & Changes

If you’re getting a burn notice, you salsa verde may not have enough water so you can add a bit of chicken broth. You could also have issues with the seal - if the pressure doesn’t built up properly in your instant pot the base is just heating the food and liquid isn’t being produced and it will either burn or cook forever.

Barbara

Spoiler — this is one of those notes that is only inspired by the recipe. I had no salsa verde in the house and no way to get any so I followed the suggestion to make some with roasted veggies: onion, green pepper, jalapeño, tomatoes, garlic and... random zucchini that needed a purpose. Roasted everything, pureed, added cumin and chicken, pressure cooked as instructed — so insanely delicious wrapped in soft tortillas!

Reba

I don't have a pressure cooker so I sauteed onion and garlic in a dutch oven then added chicken thighs and cooked a little longer. I added salsa and a little chicken broth, brought to a boil, and put lid on the pot then transferred to the oven. Cooked in the oven at 375 for 20 minutes. Took out and shredded the chicken. I cooked on the stove top w/out lid until sauce reduced. Served w/ tortillas and got raved reviews.

Miriam

After following the recipe above: wet flour tortilla on both sides, place spoonful of meat, a little grated jack cheese and roll it up. Repeat for 3-4 tortillas. Sit them right next to each other in a pan and top with extra sauce and cheese. Heat in 400 degree oven or toaster oven for 15 minutes. Delicious enchiladas!

Izzy V

I made this but on the stovetop! As advised by another commenter, I sauteed a chopped onion, then added the finely (sort of) chopped garlic and cumin, then added the salsa verde (for anyone interested, Trader Joes' salsa verde is exactly the amount you need) and chicken thighs. I covered for 20 min on the stove on medium low, then added a cup of frozen fire-roasted corn (TJs again) and drained black beans). Shredded the chicken and added it back, served with sliced avocado and chips. Amazing!

rose

This is an all time favorite in my house. Highly recommend using the Trader Joe’s tomatillo refrigerated salsa verde. So good. I usually serve it with the One pot rice and beans recipe as well. Delish.

Aviel

I was skeptical about this right up until the end. I was worried the salsa I bought was too bland and if there were enough other spices. I stuck to the instructions though and after adding the lime juice, cilantro, and salt, the stew came to life! It was delicious! I served it over rice with chopped avocado and queso fresco. I’ll definitely be making it again, and now that I understand the dish maybe I’ll improvise.

Paulie D

This is probably my favorite NYT Cooking recipe yet. Absolutely love it. I use canned diced jalapenos instead of fresh to save on time. Usually about half a 4 oz can. Also as others have mentioned you can add more chicken to this as it does make a lot of sauce.

Laura

Absolutely fabulous! Simmering the sauce was a must.

Ally

Realized I didn’t have onion powder or cumin after I’d started cooking, so I used a packet of Sazon with garlic and onion. Worked in a pinch! Made this with chicken breast, cooked high pressure 10 minutes. Worked great as a rice bowl for lunch and as a topping for nachos for dinner. Will be adding this to my regular rotation.

Theresa

Herdez sauce (canned or jarred) is wonderful for this. A double recipe makes enough for 2 (9 x 13") pans of enchiladas. I use 8 bone-in thighs (skins removed) and cook for 30 min, natural release. Freezes well.

Julian

Friends call my version "crack chicken":-Chop a bacon strip into small 1/4-1/3 inch lardons and render till crispy in a pan-Sauté a finely diced yellow onion for 10 minutes on medium till they get some Maillard-Slice 8-cloves of garlic and sauté them in the center of the ban with direct contact till aromatic (~60 sec) then mix into onion to slow cooking-Add chopped jalapeño, bay leaf, 1 tsp of oregano to all your spices (1-2 min)-Deglaze with your salsa -*Now* add to your pot

Jen

Can I do this with bone in skinless thighs and, if so, how do I adjust the cooking time?

Mike

Tastes like it is. Chicken with a jar of salsa shortcut. Pretty Americanized version of salsa verde

kade

Very good, easy, and fast. I had extra potatoes lying around so instead of rice I served with roasted russets. Topped with sour cream and cheddar. Delicious. Will make again.

ginny washburn

Use much less slasa verde. In my opinion, the amount recommended in the recipe makes the stew too wet. I've used 7oz. That works well.

Matt Pritchard

Delicious and (very) low effort weeknight dinner option for us. This is in rotation once or twice a month at our house.

Diane

Fantastic recipe. I used a small onion and omitted the two powders. I used three breasts, otherwise followed. I served in bowls layering rice, cumin corn/black beans mix, shredded cheese, chicken mix, and topped with chopped avocado. Ate with chips and washed down with a cold beer.

Andrea

This has gone into regular rotation at our house. It's so flavorful yet such a simple recipe. I would serve this to guests, it's so good. I use the Trader Joe's jarred salsa verde and their chopped green chiles and have gotten into the habit of always keeping them on hand for this recipe. I make this without any changes or modifications. Reducing the sauce is key!

Marciaweez

I love the ease of pressure cooking, but in my experience it kills some of the flavor. I found myself adding garlic powder afterward and still missing the flavor complexity I wanted. I might fry up the garlic separately and cook it into the sauce for a bit after pressure-cooking.

Elisabeth

Go-to dish I make often and, although it is perfect as-is, the recipe is also forgiving about substitute ingredients based on what is on hand. But to keep the spirit of the dish, I would not stray far from recipe except in a pinch. I have substituted poblanos for green chilis, and others have made suggestions. I like adding fresh corn in summer season and black beans, as suggested. I want to make this dish in the slow cooker, but it is a perfect pressure cooker last minute dinner.

Longer Cooking

I had to go back to cook the chicken even longer. I am not totally sure why?? Just FYI that it might need longer cooking.

judith

Since I don't know what I'm doing with my brand new Instant Pot, I decided to experiment. After removng the chicken and finding the sauce too thin, I added half a cup of brown rice and set the Instant Pot to cook the rice. It is absolutely perfect. I added the scallions and cilantro after, with some salt and lime juice, and I'm a very happy cook!

Taylor

very bland. Used TJ's salsa verde and maybe that was the problem

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Pressure Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does pressure cooking chicken longer make it more tender? ›

Cooking any meat on high heat (or high pressure) for an extended period will both: denature more the proteins / collagen making the meat more tender; "squeeze" more water out of the meat, making it drier / chalkier in texture.

Can you overcook chicken in a pressure cooker? ›

Yes, very easily. The temperature inside a pressure cooker is about 250F at full pressure, which can easily overcook meat if you're not careful. It'll be stringy and dry.

Why is my chicken tough after pressure cooking? ›

Without watching over your shoulder in your kitchen, the most likely reason is overcooking. Pressure cookers are powerful, and it can be a fine line between perfectly done vs. too much. Longer cook times squeeze more moisture out of the tissue, leaving it drier and tougher.

How much water do you add to pressure cooked chicken? ›

Add 1 cup of liquid to the instant pot (water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice). Place chicken breasts on top of the trivet in a single layer and season with salt, pepper or any seasonings you like. Secure the instant pot lid and make sure the vent is set to “sealed”.

How long do I need to pressure can chicken? ›

Once you're getting 4 “jiggles” per minute, or your dial gauge has come up to pressure, start your timer and process the chicken. If you're canning pint jars, you will process them for 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes). If you're using quart jars, you will process for 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

Do you cover meat with liquid in a pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

How do you know when pressure cooked chicken is done? ›

Open the pot, then use a digital thermometer to check the thickest part of a piece of chicken—it should be at least 165oF.

Does chicken need to be submerged in pressure cooker? ›

One is having the chicken submerged in the liquid and the other option is placing the chicken on top of the trivet. Submerging the chicken method is great for shredding in enchiladas, etc; while cooking the chicken on the trivet creates a firmer chicken that can be sliced for salads, etc.

How much liquid do you need in a pressure cooker? ›

Add Liquid

“Jiggle top” cookers need a minimum of one cup of water, while valve cookers need at least half a cup. Put food in the cooker first, then add water. When learning how to use a pressure cooker, make sure the unit is never more than two-thirds full of liquid, so the steam has enough space to accumulate.

What is the best way to cook tough chicken? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

How do you make chicken tender and not tough? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

Can pressure cooker soften chicken bones? ›

You use quite a bit of water in the pressure cooker so you can cook the bones for enough time so the bones become soft. Then you can grind them up easily with this grinder. Chicken bones, cooked at high pressure in a pressure cooker, take about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Does a pressure cooker dry out chicken? ›

Oddly enough, it can be really challenging to get the right texture when cooking boneless chicken breasts. They cook quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you don't cook them long enough they get a weird, rubber-like texture that's nearly impossible to chew, and if you cook them too long, their texture gets dry.

Can I use chicken broth instead of water in pressure cooker? ›

Chicken Broth: Instead of water, chicken broth boosts the flavor of chicken in the Instant Pot. I always use a cup of broth (especially since I cook 2-3 pounds per time). I use canned broth or bouillon added to water.

What is the poultry setting on a pressure cooker? ›

Press the Poultry button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at HIGH pressure for 15 minutes, which is suitable for larger pieces of chicken. If you press the Poultry button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More (this simply changes the cooking time).

What happens if you pressure cook longer? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.

Does pressure cooking or slow cooking make meat more tender? ›

Both slow cookers and pressure cookers do a good job of tenderizing tough meat, but each makes meat more edible in a different way. A pressure cooker is an enclosed pot with a lid that locks to form an airtight seal.

Does cooking chicken longer make it softer? ›

Close-up of a woman slicing raw chicken breast meat on a cutting board. Chicken becomes more tender the longer it cooks. Unfortunately, most cooking methods produce extremely dry meat when the chicken is cooked long enough to become tender.

Does cooking chicken longer make it tougher? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long.

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