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.
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 pepper
Directions
- 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.
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I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I’ll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
Maybe I need to get a pressure cooker – this looks fabulous!
Tacos sure sound great! And you take such lovely pictures
, Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
MMmmmmm . . . another recipe to add to my “Learn to Use my Pressure Cooker” list!
Yum! I love these pressure cooker recipes as I love my pressure cooker. You’ve got to love something that cooks food so quickly!
xxx
DELICIOUS! I must try this!
your pictures of the tacos are drool-worthy!!
What a fantastic idea! I love it! I just may have to break down and get myself a pressure cooker!!!
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.
Second recipe I have seen today involving a pressure cooker! This is pressure cooking done right Barbara.
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!
Thanks so much for letting me know you made it and liked it. My favorite comment to receive!
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!
I made this on Sunday and it was awesome!!! I tweaked a bit by using half thighs and half breasts which made it nice and rich. I think next time I may try some chipotle peppers in there. Great recipe and super easy!
Hi Drew – so glad you liked the recipe! I’ll have to try it with thighs. Chipotle peppers would be a great smokey addition too.