Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

What makes the chicken chewy in the Instant Pot? ›

Oddly enough, it can be really challenging to get the right texture when cooking boneless chicken breasts. They cook quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you don't cook them long enough they get a weird, rubber-like texture that's nearly impossible to chew, and if you cook them too long, their texture gets dry.

Perhaps more important than the marinade is the cooking method. I've been guilty of producing limp, oily vegetables in more than a few fajita dinners. The way to beat that: high heat. Every vegetable has access to a mighty hot pan and is cooked until it just starts to blacken but still has a little crunch.

Why is my Instant Pot Chicken rubbery? If your chicken is rubbery it's overcooked. Choose to cook chicken breasts that are similar in size and weight to ensure the cooking time is appropriate for your IP chicken.

Get my tips for perfectly seasoned and cooked vegetables. There are two secrets to perfect fajita vegetables: (1) Stop cooking while they still look a little crunchy, and (2) Season them well.

This dinner staple cooks up perfectly every time in the Instant Pot. You can aim for firm but juicy chicken for cubing, or let it cook a little bit longer for tender shredded chicken.

If your beef fajitas are chewy, it is likely because you cut the steak in the wrong direction, or because you didn't give it time to properly marinade.

You can vary the fillings as you please. Chopped tomatoes with coriander (cilantro) and chopped spring onions (scallions) work well. Instead of sour cream, you could use mayonnaise.

Rubbery chicken can result from a cooking error or the overall quality of the chicken you buy. Fortunately, strategies such as moist cooking and buying slow-grown chickens can prevent you from having a chewy meal. And always make sure your chicken isn't undercooked!

While all cuts of chicken are fair game for the Instant Pot, thighs are the most forgiving. Because chicken breast is so lean, just a couple of extra minutes of cook time turns them from juicy to overcooked and dry.

An improperly sealed lid can cause the Instant Pot to just cook and cook your contents as it attempts to reach pressure. This will lead to scorching and then a burn notice. Make sure that you're using enough liquid.

How much chicken can you cook in an Instant Pot? ›

Slicing will save you cook time.

When it comes to skillet fajitas, you want to cook everything hot and fast. You can avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken by slicing the peppers, onions, and chicken into 1/4-inch strips. For the chicken breast, cutting across the meat's grain will make for more tender fajitas.

You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

“As the final step before serving, we use a savory, smoky sauce that enhances the flavor and aroma of our fajitas. The sizzle isn't just for show—it's for creating delicious, craveable fajitas.”

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic. Included with each meal is a set of instructions to help you cook the meals.

Why is my chicken breast rubbery? Overcooking chicken and buying woody chicken breast are two of the main causes behind rubbery chicken.

If it's still tough, you will need to cook it longer. The pressure cooking process breaks down tough meat, making it tender. Put the lid back on, seal the pressure cooker, and cook at high pressure for another 10 to 20 minutes.