It’s great to have taco meat in the freezer waiting to be used for a quick lunch or easy dinner. Since I was making the filling for my Chicken Emapanadas, I decided to triple the recipe so I would have plenty to freeze.
I also wanted to use frozen chicken breasts, but I wanted to use them without having to defrost them first. I was inspired by Frieda’s From Frozen to Fabulous in 12 Minutes: BBQ Chicken. Cooking them in the pressure cooker allows you to avoid defrosting and results in moist, tender, flavorful chicken. Perfect for any recipe.
I froze the taco meat in 1/2 cup portions in quart size Freezer Ziplocs. The perfect amount for one individual serving.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you could cook the chicken in the crockpot for 8 hours, or check out my Shredded Pork Tacos post to get a method for cooking it in the oven.
Pressure Cooker Chicken Taco Filling
Ingredients:
1 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 large chicken breasts, frozen*
1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel Original)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepperDirections:
Heat the oil in pressure cooker pot for 2 to 3 minutes. Sauté the onion until tender, approximately 10 minutes.
Add the chicken, tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cover and lock lid in place. Select High Pressure and 25 minutes cook time. After 25 minutes, turn off and use a quick pressure release. *If using thawed chicken breasts reduce cook time.
Remove chicken from pressure cooker and shred. Return shredded chicken to pressure cooker pot and stir to combine with tomatoes and juice in pot.
Select Sauté and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until all liquid is absorbed/evaporated.
Print Recipe
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa Salad
I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you know that I have never used a pressure coooker. My husband asked if I wanted one last year for my birthday and I said I don’t think so but after reading your post I think I need one. Do you use yours alot? Its basically like a faster slow cooker right?
That’s a perfect description. Any recipe that is great in a crockpot would probably be great and much faster in a pressure cooker. I don’t think to use it often, but when I remember to I’m always glad i did.
A friend of mine has recently been raving about pressure cookers. Sounds like a kitchen gadget to add to my wishlist!
Nisha recently posted..Happy Family, Healthy Menu Plan
Mmmhhh, I could eat that stuff all the time! A grest way of cooking the chicken.
Cheers,
Rosa
This looks so delicious, Barbara. I like your suggestion to freeze individual servings. Often I cook for one and it is so nice to pull something out of the freezer that is just the right amount. I’ll use a crockpot. I still have visions of my mother’s old pressure cooker and all the steam it produced. I was sure it would explode at any minute.
Cathy at Wives with Knives recently posted..The Simplest Brioche A Classic French Bread Even I Can Make
Thanks! My mom’s pressure cooker always made me nervous too!
I have never used a pressure cooker but it seems like I have been missing out. This looks fabulous
Maris (In Good Taste) recently posted..Kitchen Tip- My Favorite Sea Salt
I love my pressure cooker, and I love new, easy recipes to use in it. This one would definitely be a winner at our house. Thanks for sharing it!
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 recently posted..Grilled Garlic and Herb Kebabs
I love the idea of taking frozen chicken straight from the freezer and popping it into a crock pot or pressure cooker. It sure comes in handy when you’ve forgotten to thaw your meat!
Kim recently posted..Mozzarella and Chili Crostini
I haven’t used a pressure cooker in years. I like your tip about cooking frozen meat in it since most of the time I forget about defrosting my meat. Nice taco filling.
Helene recently posted..Pear & Raspberry Crisp Gluten-Free – Croustade aux poires et framboises sans gluten
Maybe I need to get a pressure cooker – this looks fabulous!
Lucy@The Sweet Touch recently posted..Just popping in to say hi!
Tacos sure sound great! And you take such lovely pictures :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Miriam Barton recently posted..Mushroom and Faux Meat Tomato Sauce
What a sweet comment. I’ve really been working on taking better shots. Thanks!
So I don’t have a pressure cooker. Would you use the same amount of time in a slow cooker on High? Just wondering how I could make this without the pressure cooker.
I’ve had good luck cooking frozen chicken in the crockpot. I would cook it 8 hours based on Dana’s Lime Chicken Empanada recipe.
Hi Barbara, Sounds like a great way to not have to worry about defrosting the chicken beforehand. But, I have a question – is the time give for a standard pressure cooker or for the super fast variety. Mine is the Kuhn Rikon super fast and I wonder if it would be the same time??? Do you have any idea about this?? Thanks
I have a Cuisinart 6 quart electric pressure cooker. I don’t know if yours would cook faster or not. You could try it for a shorter time and give it more time if necessary. I checked mine after 20 minutes and it wasn’t done, so I cooked it 5 more minutes. Since the chicken and liquid were hot it came back up to pressure really quickly. Gooc luck.
I went to a demonstration yesterday at Williams Sonoma on Memphis barbecue. They had cooked the ribs in a pressure cooker. What a time saver! I’m thinking of getting one too though I haven’t used one since I used my mom’s 3 decades ago!
Barbara | Creative Culinary recently posted..Sugar and Spice Popcorn
Cooking ribs in a pressure cooker is a great idea. Thanks!
This sounds really flavorful and I love how it’s cooked in a pressure cooker! Definitely a huge time-saver.
Faith recently posted..Baked Fish with Crumb Topping
This sounds like a delicious and simple recipe! Chicken tacos are one of my favorite foods (especially with a bit of ranch). I’ll have to give this one a try. Thanks!
I just invested in a pressure cooker – soooo happy I visited you today! Thanks!
Donna recently posted..El Charro’s Chilaquiles- Easy Mexican Casserole for Meatless Monday
I haven’t used a pressure cooker in over twenty years! Not sure I’d remember how LOL. Your tacos look very appetizing and I love that plate you have them served on.
Paula recently posted..Bambi- Butterflies and Ladybug Baby Shower Cookies
My godness these tacos make me so hungry! I no not have a pressure cooker but I do have a crook pot that I use often. I love chicken tacos
Thanks for another great pressure cooker recipe to try. I currently have a whole bunch of chicken breasts marinating in asian marinade for shish-kebobs tomorrow. I wish I had saved some for tacos. Maybe Asian tacos. It’s a thought.
Bonnie recently posted..Friendship exchange basket blocks
That sounds delicious. I’ll give it a go in the slow cooker. I’m so obsessed with Mexican food at the moment it would be great to have it a few minutes away.
Claire @ Claire K Creations recently posted..Baroque macarons and Ghermez cupakes Sydney
We saw pressure cookers somewhere on our walk yesterday and I mentioned them to JP and he rolled his eyes and said “I never understood the purpose”! Ha! If one brings me a yummy meal like these tacos – which I am often in the mood for, then that is purpose enough, right?
Jamie recently posted..VEGETABLE PIZZA BIANCA
MMmmmmm . . . another recipe to add to my “Learn to Use my Pressure Cooker” list!
Donna recently posted..Chopped Avocado Salad Two Ways- with Grilled Shrimp or Potato Gallette – And Grillin’ Season Continues!
Yum! I love these pressure cooker recipes as I love my pressure cooker. You’ve got to love something that cooks food so quickly! :D xxx
DELICIOUS! I must try this!
Blond Duck recently posted..Shimmer 12
your pictures of the tacos are drool-worthy!!
natalie (the sweets life) recently posted..Frozen Strawberry Squares
What a fantastic idea! I love it! I just may have to break down and get myself a pressure cooker!!!
marisa recently posted..Maple Bars
Talking about taco fillings, I still have 2 packets of special seasoning for the filling which were sent to me by a sweet blogger friend from US. Yours pressure cooker meat sounds amazing. I bet it tastes tenderly delish. Have a great day, dear.
Kristy
I need to get over my fear of pressure cookers…..this recipe might change my mind. :)
I have used a pressure cooker for years. But I just may need to upgrade to a model like yours. Looks like the Cadillac of pressure cookers! I do love having cooked meat in the freezer in 1-2 serving containers. Saves us from the dreaded ‘fast food’. This meat looks delish and very versatile. Have a great weekend.
cindy recently posted..Rice Krispie-Sicles
Second recipe I have seen today involving a pressure cooker! This is pressure cooking done right Barbara.
Eliana recently posted..Lemon Sorbet
I’m so glad I saw your post! Just got back from vacation and will post my shredded chicken recipe tomorrow. Took an old Rival Crockpot Mexican Turkey recipe and used it with chicken in my pressure cooker ~ I was pleased with the results! Linked your post to my blog…
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Thank you for sharing it!
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 recently posted..Almond Pancakes
Thanks so much for letting me know you made it and liked it. My favorite comment to receive!
Barbara recently posted..Halibut Fish & Chips with Market Street Tartar Sauce
You got to be kidding me GF…I LOVE this. How easy can life get with a recipe as good as this? I love th idea of frozen chicken breasts. Must try this SOON!
deeba recently posted..Baking| Apricot & Plum Cobbler … the Secret Recipe Club & a guest post
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