Best 3 Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Carnitas Recipes

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Craving delicious and crispy chicken carnitas without spending hours in the kitchen? Look no further than your instant pot! With its remarkable ability to tenderize meats and create mouthwatering dishes quickly, the instant pot has revolutionized the way we cook. In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the culinary journey of preparing instant pot crispy chicken carnitas, a flavorful and versatile dish perfect for tacos, burritos, and more. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with each crispy bite as we unveil the secrets to making the best instant pot crispy chicken carnitas, ensuring your next meal is a fiesta of flavors.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

INSTANT POT CHICKEN CARNITAS



Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas image

Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas. They take only 30 minutes in the instant pot and are super easy to make. These chicken carnitas are loaded with Mexican spices, onions, garlic, fresh squeezed orange and lime juice. They come out spicy, tender and juicy!

Provided by Kelley Simmons

Categories     Main Course

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 large onion, large dice
5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/3 cup orange juice (juice from 1 large orange)
1/4 cup lime juice (juice from 2 limes)
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp ground chipotle chili pepper (use 1/2 tbsp if you don't want it to be as spicy)
2 bay leaves
cilantro for serving, if desired

Steps:

  • Combine the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Sprinkle over the chicken thighs and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the Instant Pot on the SAUTE setting. Add in chicken and brown on both sides, 1-2 minutes a side. I like to cook the chicken in two batches to not overcrowd the pan. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the Instant Pot. Add in the onions and garlic and saute for 3-4 minutes to get some color on the onions.
  • Stir in orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, chipotle chili powder and bay leaves. Add the chicken back to the Instant Pot and cover with the lid. Select CANCEL on the Instant Pot then select POULTRY and set the timer to 12 minutes. Make sure to switch the nozzle to STEAM.
  • When it has finished pressure cooking move the nozzle to vent and allow the steam to fully release before opening the lid.
  • Preheat oven to broil. Transfer the chicken to a large sheet tray and shred with two forks. Add 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid on top and broil for 5 minutes or until desired crispiness.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy! If desired you can serve the carnitas with more of the cooking liquid!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Protein 45 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 215 mg, Sodium 596 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

INSTANT POT® CRISPY CHICKEN CARNITAS



Instant Pot® Crispy Chicken Carnitas image

Chicken carnitas made in the pressure cooker are quick and easy! We crisp them up in the broiler, and they are perfect to meal-prep and enjoy for the week! Serve with tortillas, diced onions, chopped cilantro, sauteed cabbage, lime wedges, and anything else you like!

Provided by Margo

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
5 cloves garlic, pressed
1 yellow onion, quartered
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup chicken broth
½ bunch cilantro
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, or more to taste
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 bay leaf
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon milk
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, or more to taste
1 pinch salt
1 pinch garlic powder

Steps:

  • Combine cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over chicken breasts on both sides.
  • Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear chicken breasts, 1 to 2 minutes per side, working in batches so chicken sears rather than steams. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  • Add garlic and onion to the hot cooker; cook and stir until browned evenly on all sides, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pressure cooker along with lime juice, chicken broth, cilantro, chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, orange zest and juice, and bay leaf. Close and lock the lid. Set timer for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts.
  • Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, milk, chipotle pepper and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, salt, and garlic powder to an electric blender. Blend chipotle sauce until smooth.
  • Release pressure from the cooker using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
  • Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
  • Transfer chicken breasts to a clean surface and reserve cooking liquid. Shred chicken meat using 2 forks. Place in a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup cooking liquid over chicken; toss to coat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the surface of a baking sheet. Add chicken to the sheet and drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top. Stir to coat evenly.
  • Broil chicken in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Toss chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid and rotate the pan for even broiling. Continue broiling until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve with chipotle sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.8 calories, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Cholesterol 56.1 mg, Fat 15.3 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 185.9 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

INSTANT POT® CRISPY CHICKEN CARNITAS



Instant Pot® Crispy Chicken Carnitas image

Chicken carnitas made in the pressure cooker are quick and easy! We crisp them up in the broiler, and they are perfect to meal-prep and enjoy for the week! Serve with tortillas, diced onions, chopped cilantro, sauteed cabbage, lime wedges, and anything else you like!

Provided by Margo

Categories     Mexican Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
5 cloves garlic, pressed
1 yellow onion, quartered
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup chicken broth
½ bunch cilantro
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, or more to taste
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 bay leaf
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon milk
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, or more to taste
1 pinch salt
1 pinch garlic powder

Steps:

  • Combine cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over chicken breasts on both sides.
  • Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear chicken breasts, 1 to 2 minutes per side, working in batches so chicken sears rather than steams. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  • Add garlic and onion to the hot cooker; cook and stir until browned evenly on all sides, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pressure cooker along with lime juice, chicken broth, cilantro, chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, orange zest and juice, and bay leaf. Close and lock the lid. Set timer for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts.
  • Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, milk, chipotle pepper and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, salt, and garlic powder to an electric blender. Blend chipotle sauce until smooth.
  • Release pressure from the cooker using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
  • Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
  • Transfer chicken breasts to a clean surface and reserve cooking liquid. Shred chicken meat using 2 forks. Place in a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup cooking liquid over chicken; toss to coat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the surface of a baking sheet. Add chicken to the sheet and drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top. Stir to coat evenly.
  • Broil chicken in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Toss chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid and rotate the pan for even broiling. Continue broiling until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve with chipotle sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.8 calories, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Cholesterol 56.1 mg, Fat 15.3 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 185.9 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

Tips:

  • Use a combination of chicken breasts and thighs for a more flavorful carnitas.
  • If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can make this recipe in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Be sure to brown the chicken in the Instant Pot before cooking to get a nice crispy texture.
  • Add in your favorite spices and seasonings to taste.
  • Serve the carnitas with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese.

Conclusion:

Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Carnitas is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a party. The chicken is fall-apart tender and flavorful, and the crispy skin is irresistible. Serve it with your favorite toppings and sides for a complete meal.

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