Instant Pot Chipotle Pomegranate Taco Bites

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Just a few ingredients makes these Instant Pot Chipotle Pomegranate Taco Bites in minutes. Use your multi cooker to prepare the chicken in ten minutes and make these appetizers for Game Day or your next snack night. 

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I love a good appetizer. One that isn’t too fussy, but flavorful, and delicious enough that I can make a dinner out of them if socially allowed! These Instant Pot Taco Bites are right up on the top of my list for those reasons. Easy to make, and crowd pleasing. 

With this snack in your arsenal, you’ll be the favorite mom, party host, singleton, game day cook and more. You can even opt for a lower carb version served in endive leaves. Check that out below. But first: 

How to make pulled chicken in the instant pot:

I use a simple pulled chicken recipe for this snack. A fun change from pulled pork, but manly enough for the dudes to eat on Game Day. (I’m sterio-typing Game Day because ladies, I don’t love watching football! BUT, disregard my blatant remarks if you love a good football game!)

Pulled chicken is easy to make in a multi cooker. I use a Breville Multi Cooker at home, but this works in any brand. As with most meat recipes in the Instant Pot you need some moisture to help it cook. I chose to use POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice for this recipe because it is awesome to drink, and great for savory and sweet cooking. It adds a juicy note to this spicy pulled chicken. 

I mixed in some chipotle pepper, salt and onion powder to make a tasty, savory broth. The chicken simply goes in and cooks quickly on the pressure setting. 

I cooked 12 oz of chicken for 10 minutes on pressure 9 psi. My chicken was even partially frozen. The result was a tender, juicy, flavorful piece of chicken that was ready to shred, or pull!

I cut my chicken breast in half lengthwise first, then pull with two forks to shred into pretty pieces. I don’t like the look of stringy pulled meat, so I am sure to leave several chunky pieces that look appealing.
 

Make these low-carb!

I used endive leaves in place of tortilla chips as little scoops to hold the chicken mixture. Use a mixture of red and green leaves for a great presentation. They are a fun way to snack without the guilt, or grains!

Spicy flavors in Taco Bites:

I used canned chipotle in adobo to add heat to the pomegranate juice in this recipe. With a little honey and lime juice this flavor combo really shines. I added a little mild salsa (you can use medium or hot) for more savory, onion and tomato flavor. 

Topping off each chip is a spoonful of pulled chicken, a very thin slice of jalapeño pepper and some crumbled Cotija cheese. If they are in season, I like to add some fresh pomegranate arils to add an extra juicy burst to each bite. 

Other taco recipes I love: Green Chile Beef Tacos, Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa and Low Fat Carnitas Tacos

Can I substitute rotisserie chicken in this recipe?

You can certainly substitute rotisserie chicken in this recipe. Here is how:

1. Use 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotle in adobo)
3. Add 1 teaspoon honey
4. Stir in 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon Pomegranate juice
5. Add 3 tablespoons salsa. 
6. Use this chicken mixture to assemble your Taco Bite snacks. 

Make these for your next game night, snack party, the teens that show up in your basement on Friday or the big football Game Day!

Appetizers, Nibble and Finger Foods

Food styling and recipe: Tara Teaspoon. Images by Kathy YL Chan used by permission from The Wonderful Company.