Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

What is Salsa Chicken?

Salsa is a well-loved sassy sauce that’s commonly found in Mexican and Mexican-American foods.

The most common type of Salsa is a boldly flavorful (sweet, sour, savory-umami, spicy) tomato-based sauce. It can be eaten raw or cooked.

And people love it as a dip with tortilla chips; a saucy filling or topping for tacos, nachos, burritos, or stuffed peppers; make it into Mexican or tortilla soups; or use it as a base sauce for cooking meat or pasta.

It refreshes your taste buds, excites your appetite, and brightens up your dish with a little kick.

Today, we’re using this flavorful Salsa to cook some tender chicken breasts in Instant Pot!

Time to make Salsa Chicken in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Here are the few simple pantry ingredients for cooking Salsa Chicken in Instant Pot:

We’re using fire-roasted tomatoes and smoked cheddar cheese for this salsa chicken recipe to add a layer of smoky flavor to the dish.

We like to ground our whole spices for maximum aromas & flavors, so we ground the cumin seeds and dried oregano with our mortar and pestle.

*Note: However, using pre-ground spices will work with this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken.

Tools for Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Optional: Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowl

Marinate Chicken Breasts

Add 1 tsp (2.7g) cumin powder, 1 tsp (0.9g) dried oregano, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, ½ tsp (3g) table salt, the juice from 1 lime (90ml), and 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock to Instant Pot’s inner pot. Mix well.

Add 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts in the inner pot.

Then, marinate the chicken breasts for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the fridge.

Pressure Cook Salsa Chicken

Add diced garlic cloves, onion, and Jalapeno in Instant Pot.

You can also add in 1½ cup finely chopped cilantro at this point.

*Note: However, we added the cilantro after pressure cooking because we enjoy the fresh and stronger taste.

Then, layer 1 can (796g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes on top of everything (as shown in the photo below). Do not mix!

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute, then 10 minutes Natural Release.

After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Season & Thicken Salsa Sauce

Set aside the 4 chicken breasts on a serving plate or chopping board.

Check the chicken breasts’ internal temperature at its’ thickest part with an accurate food thermometer.

*Note: The USDA recommends 165°F (74°C) as the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken.

*Pro Tip: If the chicken breasts’ temperature is off by more than 10°F, quickly place them back in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Close the lid, and let the residual heat in Instant Pot cook the chicken breasts for 1 – 2 more minutes.

Bring the salsa sauce mixture to a simmer with the “Saute More” function.

*Note: If you haven’t added the cilantro yet, add them in now.

Let the salsa in Instant Pot simmer and thicken for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.

Season by adding half of the smoked cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese to the salsa.

Then, taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt (you may need roughly 1 – 2 large pinch of salt). Please taste and adjust accordingly!

Serve Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

You can serve the Instant Pot Salsa Chicken at this point.

Simply drizzle the tomato salsa sauce on top of the chicken breasts, then garnish with finely chopped cilantro and cheese.

Optional: Melt Cheese on Salsa Chicken

If you want to kick it up a notch, you can use the Air Fryer Lid or an oven to melt some tasty cheese on top of the chicken breasts!

First, place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot (as shown in the photo below).

Now, place the chicken breasts on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot.

Layer some salsa sauce on top, then sprinkle a mixture of smoked cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top.

Then, place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot

• Air Frying Method: Press the “Air Fry” button, set the Temperature to 400°F, and Cooking Time to 10 minutes.

*Pro Tip: It’ll take roughly 6 – 8 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.

Enjoy this Flavorful Salsa Chicken in Instant Pot!

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice