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Homemade Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken (Copycat Recipe) recipe photo

Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

Tender, flavorful shredded chicken made quickly in the Instant Pot with ranch and zesty Italian dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix (1-ounce packet)
  • 1/2 cup water

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker
  • tongs or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot insert in a single layer if possible.
  2. Pour the zesty Italian dressing and the 1/2 cup water over the chicken.
  3. Sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, minced garlic, and the ranch seasoning packet evenly over the chicken.
  4. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes for fresh chicken or 17 minutes for frozen chicken.
  5. When the cook time ends, perform a quick release according to your pressure cooker's instructions.
  6. Open the lid, remove the chicken to a cutting board or bowl, shred with two forks or tongs, then return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to coat with the cooking juices.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For slow cooker: cook on low 6–8 hours or high 4 hours with same ingredients.
  • Use frozen chicken: increase pressure-cook time to 17 minutes.
  • Shred chicken right away to absorb juices for best flavor.