Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is a simple keto chicken recipe, that is perfect for the whole family. Serve with low carb sides or beans and rice, depending on your family’s preference.
Salsa Chicken, Instant Pot
This quick and easy Instant Pot Salsa Chicken recipe will become a go to meal on busy days. The chicken is seasoned and seared then simply pressure cooked in a bath of salsa.
This recipe is great while doing meal prep. The chicken can be served as is with a side. The shredded chicken is quite versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes, such as tacos, casseroles, burrito bowls and quesadillas.
Keto Salsa Chicken, Choosing a Salsa
Net carb count will vary based on your choice of salsa. In general net carbs will be around 5 grams per serving. Using less of the sauce will reduce that further.
I suggest selecting more traditional style salsa rather than the thicker options. Check labels.
An organic salsa with low net carbs and no added sugar is ideal.
I also suggest going with a mild or medium heat salsa. The leftovers will be more versatile that way.
How to Make Salsa Chicken in the Instant Pot
Here is a quick guide to making this recipe in the electric pressure cooker. Printable recipe card is below.
Ingredients for Salsa Chicken
Here is all you need to make this simple low carb chicken. Measures are in the servings adjustable recipe card.
- boneless chicken breasts
- Sea salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste
- avocado oil (classic olive oil, ghee or butter is fine)
- cumin
- paprika
- garlic powder
- salsa
- shredded cheddar or colby jack (optional)
Preparing the Chicken in an Instant Pot
Put your Instant Pot on saute (set to med heat) and add oil to the pot.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then nestle on the bottom of the pot. Mix the cumin, paprika and garlic powder together and sprinkle on top.
Flip after 3-4 minutes. then cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
Pour the salsa over the chicken breasts.
Lock on cover and manually set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 10 minutes on High. Turn the valve to pressurize.
Use quick release once the cook cycle is done.
Cheese can be sprinkled over the top in the pot or over each serving.
Serving Salsa Chicken
Here I have served the chicken over cauliflower rice to keep carbs low. Sliced avocado or a nice dollop of sour cream would be great toppings.
If you are not on keto or some other low carb diet, serving with rice and black beans would be ideal.
More Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts , skinless
- Sea salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp avocado oil classic olive oil, ghee or butter is fine
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack optional
Instructions
- Put your Instant Pot on saute (set to med heat) and add oil to the pot. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then nestle on the bottom of the pot. Mix the cumin, paprika and garlic powder together and sprinkle on top. Flip after 3-4 minutes. then cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the salsa over the chicken breasts. Lock on cover and manually set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 10 minutes on High. Use quick release once done.
- Cheese can be sprinkled over the top in the pot or over each serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Liz says
Such a super easy recipe with ingredients I almost always have on hand. This is destined to become a family favorite—I’ll be making it again soon.
Jessica says
Made this last night and the whole family loved it. I am making another batch this week to take for lunches. Thanks!
lori a wilcox says
Which instant pot are you using?
Robin Gagnon says
This chicken was made in my Instant Pot Duo 6 qt.
(I also have an 8 qt Duo Crisp, but haven’t tried that one yet.)
Liz says
This was super easy and the whole family loved it! It’s going into my dinner rotation!
wilhelmina says
This has become at staple at my house, so easy and delicious!
Jenny P says
My new favorite chicken recipe for my instant pot
Carrie N says
This salsa chicken was so good. I added canned black beans and corn to the pressure cooker after the pressure release and served over rice. We all loved this dinner.
Rhadonda says
My family loved it! I used my homemade salsa and doubled the recipe. I made rice and beans with lime juice for the side.
Robin Gagnon says
It must have been even better with your homemade salsa!
Lisa L says
Is there a way to double or triple the recipe (e.g., using more chicken cutlets to accommodate a larger family or guests)? I would think that, once the cutlets are spiced and cooked initially, you could just pour the salsa on a larger batch of chicken and cook them all together. Would this work? Does the Instant pot time need adjusting for it to work?
Robin Gagnon says
Timing really shouldn’t change. It will take longer for your pot to pressurize, but the cook time itself should be fine. You really only need to up your time for tougher cuts or larger pieces of meat.