Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls

Chicken Taco Bowls are a fun and easy way to mix things up for Taco Tuesday! All you need to grab are some chicken breasts, a few tasty seasonings, and the ingredients you choose for your yummy taco bowl! In the Instant Pot, this dish can be whipped up in about half and hour and satisfy those cravings for all the taco goodness you desire.

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Tacos are one of my favorite foods. It is a rare month that I don’t have tacos nearly every week. However, I do also like to mix things up with our menu because I get bored cooking the same things over and over again. It’s always good to have your go-to’s, but I like to learn new recipes or give myself time to create new flavor combinations. There are times that you just need to use what you have in the cupboard to get dinner on the table. These chicken taco bowls are a result of such creativity, and necessity, in the kitchen.

Now, if you have read my Shredded Beef Tacos recipe, you will recognize some of the ingredients. I am definitely a creature of habit, and certain seasonings and flavors just go together well. Why mess with a good thing, right? However, a few topping ingredients go better in taco bowls than in tacos themselves, and vice versa. But really, you just need to add your favorite taco toppings to make your bowl delicious!

Are taco bowls healthy?

As with just about any meal, it depends. You will want to make sure you are loading up your taco bowl with veggies and other healthy ingredients, but you could always switch out the rice in the recipe for brown rice, quinoa, or a veggie rice if you are trying to stay away from carbs. My recipe here is a taco bowl with chicken, but you could make it vegetarian by adding beans instead. Whatever you need, you can customize your ingredients to meet your dietary needs.

What is a taco bowl?

The taco bowl in this recipe is a mixture of taco ingredients that are laid atop a bed of rice. Some people make their taco bowls with the hard tortilla shell as well, which you totally could!

What goes in a taco bowl?

Whatever you like on your tacos! Some people get really worried that they are not making a recipe correctly, which can be a concern, but with this recipe, there are no specifics! Once you have made the chicken and the base of your choice, the extra ingredients are completely up to you and your taste buds! If you want some inspiration though, here are a few ideas:

–Black Beans – These add some great nutrients as well as a different tasty texture to your taco bowl!

–Salsa or Pico de Gallo – While this may be a no-brainer, salsa is a must in my book for any kind of taco.

–Corn – The sweetness of corn can be a great addition to your taco bowl. Bonus points if you roast it a little ahead of time!

–Avocado or Guacamole – These are a classic and popular taco bowl topping!

–Mango – Depending on the other flavors you have going into your taco bowl, you could add some mango for sweetness to go with the savory.

–Grilled Onions – Onion is such a great flavor, and grilling ahead of time can make it even better!

–Chopped Jalapeños or Bell Peppers – Want some spice? Jalapeños. Like things more mild? Bell peppers are for you.

–Lime – Tacos and taco bowls are always in need of that citrus kick! Anytime you can squeeze a lime over the top, it’s a great time!

–Sour Cream – Some creaminess to cut through the strong, spicy flavors can be helpful for your taste buds.

–Cheese – Melty cheesy goodness can make almost anything better.

–Cilantro – If you are a lover of this herb, go for it! If you are part of the population that doesn’t care for it, don’t feel bad about leaving it out.

There are so many other options as well! Just go for it and see what you like best. If you find something else that you love, please let me know!

What do you need for taco bowls:

-Chicken Breast

-Chili Powder

-Paprika

-Cumin

-Onion Powder

-Garlic Powder

-Red Pepper Chili Flakes

-Pepper & Salt

-Chicken Broth

-Rice or alternative of choice

-Toppings of Choice

-Instant Pot

How to make a chicken taco bowl:

To start, you will need to place your chicken breast in the Instant Pot. Pour over the seasonings, and add the chicken broth.

Use the manual function, and set the timer for 10-16 minutes depending on chicken breast size and thickness. Allow the Instant pot to release pressure naturally.

While the chicken is cooking, cook your rice or rice alternative of choice according to package directions. Chop up and prepare your toppings. We usually set things up buffet style to make this easier.

Once the chicken is done cooking and pressure is released, you can use two forks to shred the chicken in the Instant Pot. (I like to leave it on Keep Warm until I’m ready to serve.)

In bowls, dish up the rice as the foundation, then chicken, and add whatever toppings you choose. Enjoy!

If you made this recipe and loved it, I would love to hear about it! You can let me know in the comments below or on Instagram or Facebook @godsgiftofcreativity where you can follow along with my current projects! Also, if you want to see more content like this, you can let me know by liking this post and subscribing to my blog. Hope to see you again soon!

-Chelsey