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Pressure Cooker

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

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This Chicken Ropa Vieja is so great for so many reasons. It’s super flavorful without being fussy in any way. It’s super versatile, too: serve it on its own, over rice, in a taco, and so on. The last option is a little less traditional, given that Ropa Vieja is a Cuban dish, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It also comes together really quickly thanks to it being prepared in an electric pressure cooker. And since the weather is already too hot here in North Carolina, being able to whip this up in a pressure cooker is a double blessing in that you don’t have to worry about heating up your kitchen.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

This is quickly becoming a favorite in my house. It’s up there with my Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Chicken, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken, and Pressure Cooker Carnitas. And that’s saying something, because I make and enjoy those three dishes a lot.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

Fun fact: “ropa vieja” translates to “old clothes”! The dish gets its name because the shredded meat (usually beef, but in this case, chicken) resembles torn, old clothes. The more you know…

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe is adapted from one found on Budget Bytes.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks
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Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 tbs oregano
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
  • 3 tbs tomato paste
  • kosher salt, to taste
Instructions

  1. Mince the garlic and set it aside.

  2. Slice the onion into half-moons and cut the bell peppers into strips. Set aside.

  3. Place the chicken breasts in an electric pressure cooker. Top with the garlic, spices, and sliced onions and peppers.

  4. Add the can of tomatoes (with juices) and tomato paste.

  5. Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock it. Cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally.

  6. Shred the chicken with two forks. Salt to taste.

  7. Serve the ropa vieja in a bowl, over rice*, in tacos, etc.

Recipe Notes

Notes: This ropa vieja is great served over my Cilantro Lime Rice!

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

Pressure Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja | A Nerd Cooks

Pressure Cooker Carnitas

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These Pressure Cooker Carnitas are the easiest, most delicious carnitas you will ever make. Depending on how much time you have on your hands, I’ve included instructions for how to make them in either the electric pressure cooker OR slow cooker.

Pressure Cooker Carnitas | A Nerd Cooks

I have made these carnitas embarrassingly often since first discovering the recipe 3 years ago. The original recipe is for the slow cooker, which is great if you have all day, or have the presence of mind to throw everything together before you leave for work. For me, this is not always the case. After receiving an electric pressure cooker for Christmas, I decided to adapt the recipe. That way, I’m able to have carnitas in a fraction of the time.

Our favorite way to eat these carnitas is Chipotle burrito bowl-style. Toss some of this crispy yet tender pork in a bowl with some Cilantro Lime Rice and a variety of taco/bowl toppings (beans, cheese, guacamole, etc.), and you’re in business. They’re also excellent in a taco (corn tortillas, please).

The slow cooker preparation comes from Damn Delicious.

Pressure Cooker Carnitas | A Nerd Cooks
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Pressure Cooker Carnitas
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 1 tbs chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 3-4 lbs boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 oranges, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
  1. Combine all of the spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
Instructions for pressure cooker
  1. Cut the pork shoulder into 2- to 3-inch chunks.

  2. Add the garlic cloves, quartered onions, and cubed pork to the electric pressure cooker insert. Sprinkle the spice mixture over everything. Using your hands, toss the garlic, onions, and pork around in the spices, rubbing the spices into the meat. Add the orange and lime juice to the pressure cooker.

  3. Place the lid on and lock it. Cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Depending on your preference, you can allow the pressure to release naturally or do a quick release.

Instructions for the slow cooker
  1. Add the garlic cloves, quartered onions, and pork to the slow cooker. Sprinkle the spice mixture over everything. Using your hands, toss the garlic, onions, and pork around in the spices, rubbing the spices into the meat. Add the orange and lime juice to the slow cooker.
  2. Put the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Instructions for both preparations after meat is finished cooking
  1. Now that the pork shoulder is cooked through, you'll want to crisp things up a bit. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the pork from to a baking sheet lined with foil, and shred the meat. Spoon some of the juices and onions that are left over onto the shredded meat. Broil for 2-3 minutes.

  2. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and toss the meat around a bit with tongs. Pour some more of the juices over the meat and broil for 2-3 additional minutes. 

  3. Remove from the oven, top with chopped cilantro, and serve immediately. 

Pressure Cooker Carnitas | A Nerd Cooks

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili

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This Green Chicken Chili is super flavorful and a little spicy. Best of all, it comes together quickly in the pressure cooker!

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili | A Nerd Cooks

This post contains affiliate links.

Like so many others out there, I received an electric pressure cooker for Christmas! Based on my observations on various social media channels, I know that the Instant Pot was a very popular present to give and receive. My parents picked up this Farberware model for me.

I’m just a little bummed that I waited this long to start using an electric pressure cooker. They’re so convenient! I love that you can throw an entire meal in there and have it on the table in like half an hour, with hardly any effort on your part.

This chili is as convenient as that, too. Just sauté some vegetables right in the pressure cooker before adding the rest of the ingredients, locking the lid, and stepping away. A little more than half an hour later and you have a seriously delicious chili. I’ve made it twice in the past two weeks. And since there are only two of us in the house, we get to have leftovers throughout the week. Perfect.

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili | A Nerd Cooks

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Pressurizing & pressure release
25 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Author: laurenpacek
Ingredients
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, minced, seeds and ribs removed (leave the seeds and ribs for a spicier chili)
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 - 4.5 oz can diced green chiles
  • 1 - 15 oz can green enchilada sauce
  • 1 - 15.5 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chicken broth,
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels,
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Optional toppings
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • sour cream/Greek yogurt
  • tortilla chips
Instructions

  1. Add the olive oil to your electric pressure cooker insert. Using the sauté/brown function, heat the oil and cook the onions, garlic, and jalapeño for 3-4 minutes. Add the cumin and oregano and sauté for another minute or two.

  2. Add the chicken thighs, diced green chilis, enchilada sauce, cannellini beans, chicken broth, and frozen corn to the pressure cooker insert. Place the lid on and lock it. Cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally.

  3. Open the pressure cooker and remove the cooked chicken thighs to a plate. Shred with two forks and return to the chiil. Taste, and add salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt, and crushed tortilla chips (we like multigrain), if desired.
Recipe Notes

Notes: A few readers have mentioned, via Facebook and Reddit, that this chili is a bit on the thin side. You can feel free to reduce the amount of chicken broth that you use if you prefer a thicker chicken chili.

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili | A Nerd Cooks

 

Pressure Cooker Green Chicken Chili | A Nerd Cooks