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
February 9, 2019 at 5:36 pmI 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
February 11, 2019 at 9:12 amThat sounds like a delicious dinner! Thank you so much. 🙂
MDK says
March 1, 2019 at 8:05 amCan you double this recipe and still use the same cooking time? New to instant pot cooking…
Dee says
March 1, 2019 at 10:39 amYes — It should still cook for the same time, but the pot might take a little longer to reach pressure.
Elfia Presta says
May 9, 2019 at 6:12 pmyes I doubled it and also doubled the time and it was yummy
Rebecca says
March 3, 2019 at 5:26 pmMade 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
March 3, 2019 at 9:41 pmThank you SO much, Rebecca! That sounds like an amazing dinner. 🙂
H. Nakamoto says
March 6, 2019 at 3:29 pmCan you use frozen chicken?
Dee says
March 7, 2019 at 8:41 amYou 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
March 7, 2019 at 2:55 pmis the time the same for thin cut chicken breasts?? or a little less time?
Dee says
March 9, 2019 at 12:33 pmIf 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
April 3, 2019 at 9:25 amThis was perfect! Thank you. I had chicken tenders so pressure cooked for 8 minutes. Loved this recipe.
Dee says
April 4, 2019 at 11:51 amI’m so happy you liked it, Jennie!
Jack says
April 13, 2019 at 10:45 pmIf I use half of the amount of chicken & ingredients, will cooking time still be the same?
Dee says
April 15, 2019 at 9:33 amYes! The cooking time is still the same.
Orsola says
April 21, 2019 at 11:15 amI’m doubling the recipe so I just doubled what was needed. I hope it comes out ok!!
Lili says
April 27, 2019 at 11:02 amWhat about boneless chicken thighs? I have 4 of them.
Dee says
April 27, 2019 at 2:08 pmYou can definitely use thighs if you have them.
Beth says
April 30, 2019 at 5:13 pmThis is a great weeknight recipe. It was as easy as you said it would be, my family liked it, and the tip about “shredding” it with a hand mixer is pure genius. Thanks so much, Dee!
Dee says
May 1, 2019 at 12:28 amI’m so happy to hear this, Beth! Thanks so much!
LeighAnne says
May 4, 2019 at 4:51 pmMade this today. Have been craving pulled pork, but needed a healthier option. So glad I found this recipe! Turned out great! Did not have to use a hand mixer, the chicken just fell apart. Thank you for sharing!
Dee says
May 6, 2019 at 8:33 amThank you so much! So glad you liked it!
Larry Kaminsk says
May 6, 2019 at 5:36 pmI will add Mexican Coca Cola to the barbecue sauce which will really sweeten that liquid. I do this on my pulled pork and beef. Thank you
Amanda Poff says
May 6, 2019 at 5:39 pmMoist and delicious!!!
Raven says
May 16, 2019 at 1:09 pmVery good, easy to make and delish!
Dee says
May 17, 2019 at 9:04 amSo glad you liked it, Raven!
Dana says
May 16, 2019 at 2:37 pmI made this chicken for dinner last night and put it on a sandwich, and it tastes incredible! Makes great leftovers too
Dee says
May 17, 2019 at 9:07 amWe love these sandwiches, too! Thanks so much!
James says
May 17, 2019 at 7:29 amMade this last night since it was too windy to BBQ. Awesome and the clean up is simple. Another hit with the kids too! You have to try this!
Dee says
May 17, 2019 at 9:09 amThat’s the best thing about IP ribs — you can make them anytime!
Star Bury says
May 26, 2019 at 8:42 pmCan this meal be frozen? Made to much and want to save for later
Dee says
May 28, 2019 at 9:33 amYes, you can freeze the leftovers. 🙂
mikah testa says
June 3, 2019 at 4:35 pmI want to try this for a BBQ I’m having and wondering if you can make this in advance and what’s the best way to reheat.
Dee says
June 4, 2019 at 2:06 pmYou can definitely make this ahead of time. For a large crowd, I would heat it up and keep it warm in a slow cooker, but you can also use your oven or even your IP if you want.
Bridget Kevin-Myers says
June 23, 2019 at 3:40 pmSo good and so easy. Leftovers could go in lettuce wraps or quesadillas!
Dee says
June 24, 2019 at 11:08 amWe have made the leftovers into quesadillas before! Thanks so much, Bridget — glad you liked it! 🙂