Get dinner on the table fast and effortlessly with this recipe for Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenders. Shred the cooked chicken for tacos or serve the chicken tenderloins whole on a salad or with cooked pasta.

cooked frozen instant pot chicken tenders.

Cooking frozen chicken tenders in the Instant Pot is so darned easy! It’s a great way to cook up chicken to use in recipes all week long.

You can shred the cooked chicken tenders and use them in soup and chicken salad or you can chop them up and use as a protein for salads. You could add cooked chicken tenders to enchiladas or a rice bowl – the options really are endless.

The chicken tenders cook up tender and juicy. Simply bag up the shredded chicken and refrigerate until you need it.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • While chicken breasts vary in size, chicken tenders are consistently even in size which means this recipe comes out perfect and juicy every time!
  • It’s perfect for meal prep! Precooked chicken is a lifesaver on a busy weeknight when you’re short on time. Recipes are such a cinch when the protein is already done.
  • It literally takes less than 5 minutes to prep. You pour in the chicken broth and then dump in the chicken and you’re done!
  • Instant Pot chicken tenders are naturally gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, and keto friendly.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for frozen chicken tenders
  • Chicken broth imparts a lot of flavor while the chicken cooks. You can use water but you’re chicken will lack flavor. If you’re gluten-intolerant look for chicken broth that is labeled gluten-free.
  • Frozen chicken tenders are more affordable than fresh and last up to 6 months in the freezer. They’re also roughly the same size which means they all cook evenly and juicy.

Be sure to check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Pour the chicken broth into the base of a 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Add the chicken tenders to the pot.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

frozen chicken tenders in an instant pot

Step Two

Lock on the lid and set the cook time to 6 minutes on high pressure.

Step Three

Once the cooking time is done let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes.

Use the quick release to get rid of any remaining pressure.

cooked chicken in an instant pot

Step Four

Remove the lid and transfer the cooked chicken to a serving plate.

Shred the chicken or serve whole. I love to use the cooked tenders chopped in my Homemade Honey Mustard Chicken Wraps or shredded in chicken tacos.

chicken tacos on a plate.

Recipe Tips

  • The total cooking time includes approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
  • You don’t need the trivet for this recipe.
  • To easily shred your chicken tenders after they are cooked, place them in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to gently move over the cooked chicken. The mixer will easily shred your chicken.
  • Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

What can I use shredded chicken for?

One of the simplest ways to use it is to put it on corn tortillas and add any toppings you like for tacos. Try salsa, shredded lettuce, avocado, and sour cream (or vegan yogurt). You can also use it for quesadillas, nachos, chicken chili, enchiladas, or atop of rice.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes, the method is the same but the cook times will change. Chicken breasts vary in size and are much larger than tenders. For smaller chicken breasts cook at 16 minutes on high pressure and for larger ones cook for 18 minutes on high pressure.

shredded chicken tenders in a bowl.

More Instant Pot Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my round-up of the best Instant Pot Chicken recipes.

Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Resources

How to Use the Instant Pot Duo (For Beginners)

15+ Instant Pot Recipes for Weight Loss

11+ Healthy Instant Pot Cookbooks

Instant Pot Meal Prep Gift Guide (Plus Recipes)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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instant pot chicken tenders

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenders

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Get dinner on the table fast and effortlessly with this recipe for Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenders. Shred the cooked chicken for tacos or serve the chicken tenderloins whole on a salad or with cooked pasta.

  • Total Time: 31 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1.25 pounds frozen chicken tenders (about 12-14 pieces)

Instructions

  1. Pour the chicken broth into the base of a 6-quart Instant Pot.
  2. Add the frozen chicken tenders to the pot.
  3. Lock on the lid and set the time to 6 minutes on high pressure.
  4. When the cooking time it up, let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, use the quick release to get rid of any remaining pressure.
  5. Carefully remove the lid and use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to a serving plate.
  6. Shred the chicken or serve the pieces whole.

Notes

  1. The total cooking time includes approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
  2. You don’t need the trivet for this recipe.
  3. To easily shred your chicken tenders after they are cooked, place them in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to gently move over the cooked chicken. The mixer will easily shred your chicken.
  4. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 tenders
  • Calories: 142
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 563.6 mg
  • Fat: 1.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat:
  • Carbohydrates: 0.2 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 28.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 68.6 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.