This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe makes easy pulled chicken in the pressure cooker in about 30 minutes with minimal prep. A quick dinner for busy days!
This easy Instant Pot BBQ chicken is one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes for busy days. Seriously, this recipe is incredibly simple and makes the best pulled chicken in just 30 minutes. If you’re looking for quick and easy dinner recipes, this one’s for you!
I have an awesome recipe for pulled BBQ chicken in the Crock-Pot , but making BBQ chicken in the pressure cooker is so much faster. And since I don’t always plan ahead, this is why I love Instant Pot dinner recipes. Well, one reason, anyway!
Barbecue pulled chicken is also a big hit with the kids. Even my picky eater likes it!
Plus, it’s a very versatile recipe. You can use it to make chicken sandwiches, sliders, wraps or quesadillas. You can even use the meat to top nachos, baked potatoes or salads. You get the picture, right?
How to make pulled BBQ chicken in the Instant Pot
This Instant Pot shredded chicken is pretty much a dump and go dinner. All you do is add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pressure cooker, season them and top them with your favorite BBQ sauce.
You’ll have to add water, since BBQ sauce is so thick. I tried to get away with using only a quarter cup of water, but I had a messy pot to clean afterwards. Half a cup works much better!
When the chicken is done, I usually shred it with a hand mixer. You can do it with two forks, but the mixer is much faster. My kids have fun helping with this part!
And that’s all there is to it! You guys, this Instant Pot BBQ chicken is a lifesaver, especially on crazy busy days!
Looking for more easy Instant Pot chicken recipes?
Recipe for Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Add olive oil to inner pot of pressure cooker, and place chicken in pot
- Add water, and sprinkle sea salt, garlic powder and pepper over chicken, then pour BBQ sauce over chicken. Do not stir!
- Place lid on pot, turn vent to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 10 minutes. Pot will take a few minutes to pressurize, and chicken will cook for 10 minutes
- After pot beeps, allow a 10 minute natural release, then do a quick release to release remaining pressure. When pin drops, remove lid, and use hand mixer to shred chicken before serving
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy easy Instant Pot BBQ chicken as much as we do!
~janny says
I tried this tonight, and it was very good~! I didn’t bother to shred it – had it with a baked potato and broccoli. Next time, I will be a little more heavy handed with the seasonings.
Dee says
That sounds like a delicious dinner! Thank you so much. 🙂
MDK says
Can you double this recipe and still use the same cooking time? New to instant pot cooking…
Dee says
Yes — It should still cook for the same time, but the pot might take a little longer to reach pressure.
Rebecca says
Made this tonight and it was delicious! I made it in an 8qt pot and used 1 cup of liquid as suggested (I used chicken stock). I found the mixture to be just a little too liquidy. I think I will try 3/4 cup next time. I used Baby Ray’s Original Barbecue Sauce. I put the cooked chicken on buns and topped with swiss cheese, then put under the broiler for a minute. Afterwards we garnished them with more BBQ sauce or Ranch dressing – will definitely add to our meal rotation!
Dee says
Thank you SO much, Rebecca! That sounds like an amazing dinner. 🙂
H. Nakamoto says
Can you use frozen chicken?
Dee says
You can use frozen, but it may take longer to pressurize. I always recommend adding a couple of minutes to the cook time when using frozen.
Julia says
is the time the same for thin cut chicken breasts?? or a little less time?
Dee says
If they are super thin, you can try 8 minutes with 8 minute release and check the temperature at the end. 10 minutes will still work, though. 🙂
Jennie Capps says
This was perfect! Thank you. I had chicken tenders so pressure cooked for 8 minutes. Loved this recipe.
Dee says
I’m so happy you liked it, Jennie!
Jack says
If I use half of the amount of chicken & ingredients, will cooking time still be the same?
Dee says
Yes! The cooking time is still the same.