Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker and are deliciously seasoned and flavored with orange and lime juice, making it a chicken carnita that you will love. Serve Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas in quesadillas, as a topping to nachos, or in a taco or burrito. So many options with this delicious dish.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Broil10 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carnitas, chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 265kcal
Author: Rachael
Ingredients
2poundsbonelessskinless chicken thighs
Seasoning's
1tablespoonground cumin
½tablespoonchipotle powder
1teaspoonsaltor to taste
1/2teaspoonblack pepperfresh ground
1/2teaspoonchili powder
The Rest
1Tablespoonsolive oil
1Tablespoonbutter
1yellow oniondiced, medium
6clovesgarlicminced
1/3cupchicken brothlow sodium
1/4cuporange juicefreshly squeezed
1/4cuplime juicefresh
Instructions
Trim chicken thighs, and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together all of the seasonings, and rub all over the chicken thighs.
Instant Pot Instructions
Place the liner into the instant pot, and press the SAUTE button.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. And let heat
Once hot, add the chicken thighs, and sear on both sides in batches. 3-4 minutes per side to get a nice crust.
Remove chicken and set aside.
Add butter to the instant pot liner, and diced onion. Sautee for 2 minutes until onion is fragrant. Add garlic, and stir for 30 seconds.
Add chicken stock, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan, and deglaze it (scrape off brown bits) so you do not get a burn notice.
Add in orange juice and lime juice, and let cook for 5 minutes until hot.
Add chicken back into the pot.
Lock lid in place, and set valve to sealing.
Set to PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for 11 minutes.
When instant pot cook time is done, allow pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release remaining pressure.
Remove lid from the Instant Pot and transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board. Use forks to shred the chicken.
Slow Cooker Instructions
In a large skillet add butter and olive oil, and sear chicken on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and place in slow cooker.
In same skillet, saute onions over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes, then add garlic, and cook for 30 more seconds.
Pour onions and garlic into the slow cooker over the chicken, and add remaining ingredients.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the chicken is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
Remove chicken from liquid, and shred chicken. Reserve liquid for later.
Finishing
Preheat oven to Broil, and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray, set aside.
Place shredded chicken on prepared baking sheet.
Spoon ¼ cup of the liquid from the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker over the chicken.
Broil chicken for 5 minutes; remove from oven.
Stir chicken well, flipping it over, then return to oven and broil another 3-5 minutes until you get crispy edges. Remove from oven. Pour an additional ¼ cup liquid over, and stir well. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Serve in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, salads, over nachos, etc.
Notes
This chicken can also be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months.