Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Carnitas

This Instant Pot crispy chicken carnitas recipe is easy to prepare. It's cooked in an Instant Pot then crisped in the broiler for a tasty, spicy dish.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 236 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Release pressure using the natural-release method according to the manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.

Step 2

Combine cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; sprinkle over both sides chicken breasts.

Step 3

Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot) and select Sauté function. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil; sear chicken breasts in batches, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.

Step 4

Add onion and garlic to the Pot; cook and stir until translucent and golden, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the Pot; add cilantro, lime juice, chicken broth, orange zest and juice, 1 chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, and bay leaf. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to the manufacturer's instructions; set the timer for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

Step 5

Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, 1 chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, milk, 1 pinch salt, and garlic powder in a blender; blend until smooth. Refrigerate sauce until ready to serve.

Step 6

Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Coat a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil.

Step 7

Transfer chicken breasts to a work surface; reserve cooking liquid. Shred chicken using 2 forks; place in a large bowl. Drizzle 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid over chicken; toss to coat. Transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, tossing to coat.

Step 8

Broil chicken in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Toss chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid; rotate the baking sheet. Continue broiling until chicken is crispy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve with chipotle sauce.