You have to try my Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken with Green Enchilada Sauce. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and it’s honestly just a no-brainer kind of meal. One you can throw together after work, school pick-up, or just one of those nights when you really don’t feel like thinking about dinner.

Mexican-inspired food is always a yes for me, and this green enchilada chicken hits that craving with tender chicken, a flavorful green enchilada sauce, and all the fresh lime and cilantro. It’s simple, cozy, and super versatile with tons of serving options.

Also, I have to tell you that I 10/10 recommend getting this Instant Pot. I waited way too long to buy it, but omg is it life changing. If you’re like me and are telling yourself you don’t need another kitchen appliance, please reconsider (lol). It replaces a slow cooker (but has this setting too!), and it’s v easy to use. When you can add a handful of ingredients to one pot and have dinner ready in 30 minutes, what’s not to love?!

Why This Green Enchilada Chicken Works

The chicken thighs are doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. They stay super tender and juicy in the Instant Pot, which makes them ideal for shredded chicken. They also bring plenty of protein to the meal, along with nutrients like iron and zinc that play important roles in the body.

I add the white beans after the chicken is cooked rather than pressure cooking everything together. They’re already cooked, so they really just need a few minutes to warm through. This keeps them from getting overly soft while adding fiber (and a little more protein, plant-based, to the mix). Beans also provide nutrients like folate and magnesium, so you get a little more nutritional variety without having to add another complicated ingredient.

Then comes the part I don’t skip: fresh lime and cilantro at the end. The lime adds acidity that brightens up the savory enchilada sauce, while the cilantro brings a nice, fresh finish. It’s a small step, but it makes a noticeable difference.

And when I tell you it’s the easiest recipe … I have a feeling we’ll be making it all fall and winter. It’s basically a dump-it-all-in-and-walk-away situation, and it comes out so perfect and tender.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Jar of Siete Green Enchilada Sauce
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Can of white beans
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro

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What to Serve With Green Enchilada Chicken

We’ve been eating it over rice with sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and another squeeze of lime. The rice gives all that saucy shredded chicken somewhere to go, and the avocado adds a cool, creamy contrast.

For something fresh alongside, my Easy Homemade Pico de Gallo would be a great addition. Add chips for some crunch?? Insane. But if you’re making this in the warmer months, my Corn and Tomato Summer Salad is another really good pairing.

You can also serve the chicken and white beans on their own, spoon them into tortillas for taco night (or make quesadillas!), or turn them into a simple rice bowl with whatever toppings you have.

Going for more of a fall vibe? Add bone broth to make it into a soup (like my Shredded Chicken Verde Bone Broth Soup). You can’t go wrong!

And yes, this is totally a good meal-prep option. I recently shared 20 Healthy Meal Prep Recipes for the Week, and this is another solid one to add to the rotation. The chicken and beans store well in the fridge, and you can easily reheat them before serving.

How To Make Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken with Green Enchilada Sauce

Looking for the full recipe?

Scroll down to the Recipe Card below for complete instructions & measurements.

Tender shredded chicken, white beans, and green enchilada sauce make this easy Instant Pot dinner flavorful, high-protein, and ready in about 30 minutes.

1. Add everything to the Instant Pot. Start with the chicken thighs, then pour the green enchilada sauce over top and add the spices and seasonings. Give everything a good toss so the chicken is coated in all that flavorful sauce.
2. Let the Instant Pot do the work. You’ll first cook the chicken on High Pressure, then it’s essentially just a matter of releasing the pressure. Chicken thighs are especially forgiving here, which helps them stay tender and juicy while they cook.
3. Shred the chicken right in the pot. Once the lid is off, grab two forks and pull the chicken apart directly in the enchilada sauce. It should be tender enough to shred easily, and keeping it right in the pot means it soaks up even more of that green enchilada flavor.
4. Stir in the white beans. Add the drained and rinsed beans, cover the pot, and let everything sit for a few minutes to warm through. There’s no need for additional pressure cooking—the beans are already cooked, so you’re really just bringing them up to temperature while keeping their texture intact.
5. Finish & enjoy! Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Adding the lime at the end keeps the flavor bright and fresh. Serve the chicken and beans as-is, or spoon it over rice and finish with sliced avocado, extra cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Can You Use Chicken Breast Instead?

Yes! You can swap the chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts if that’s what you have on hand. I prefer thighs here because they stay particularly tender when pressure cooked and shred easily, but chicken breast will work as well.

If using chicken breast, make sure the pieces are similar in size so they cook evenly. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily before moving on to the beans. Either way – it’s easy, saucy, and requires very little cleanup.

More Easy High-Protein Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Need more easy chicken dinner ideas? These are a few of my favorites to keep in the rotation—from salsa verde and fajitas to smoky Southwest chicken bowls. Basically, lots of good reasons to keep chicken on the menu.

• Creamy Green Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Skillet
• Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Smoky Street Corn Chicken Bowls (Easy and High-Protein)
• Honey Lime Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
• Crockpot Chicken Tinga Tacos
• Southwest Chicken Wraps
• Nourishing Chicken Chili

Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂