Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
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Instant pot BBQ chicken made with just two ingredients and a couple of spices is simple to make and always a crowd pleaser!
This instant pot BBQ chicken recipe is a favorite in our house. Serve it on buttered rolls with homemade dill refrigerator pickles, potato wedges, and broccoli slaw!
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken. We used chicken breasts but you can also use thigh meat.
- BBQ sauce – Feel free to grab your favorite bottle from the market or use our recipe to make your own bbq sauce!
- Optional spices – Garlic powder, salt, pepper.
How do you make BBQ pulled chicken in the instant pot? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, place the chicken in the bottom of the pressure cooker pot and pour in the water (you could also use chicken broth or chicken stock).
⭐ Then, sprinkle spices over the chicken. Pour the BBQ sauce over the top.
⭐ Next, cook on high (manual pressure), followed by a natural pressure release.
⭐ Finally, quick release any remaining pressure, shred the chicken, and mix with the juices.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make instant pot bbq chicken ahead of time?
Yes! This is a great meal prepping recipe because you can make it at the beginning of the week and use it in recipes for the next several days.
What kind of barbecue sauce for barbecue chicken in the instant pot?
Grab whatever kind you love from the market, or make your own with our easy barbecue sauce recipe! We like to experiment with different types of sauces.
Breast meat or thighs for instant pot pulled bbq chicken?
We used breast meat in the pictured recipe, but you can absolutely use chicken thighs if you prefer. You can also use a combination of breast meat and thigh meat.
You’ll want to use boneless skinless chicken for best results.
Leftovers
How long does instant pot bbq chicken last?
This will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days or longer in the freezer. Store in an airtight container.
Can you freeze instant pot bbq pulled chicken?
Yes! Allow the chicken to cool, then store in an air-tight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. It will be safe to eat for up to a year, but the flavor will be best if eaten sooner.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
🔥 Make it spicy by adding pickled jalapenos.
🍗 Use breast meat to keep it lean, or thigh meat if you like a more moist chicken.
🧊 Make a double batch and freeze some for an easy dinner later.
🥄 If the sauce is too thin, turn on sauté mode to cook off the extra liquid.
❗ Use your electric mixer to shred the chicken easily!
Can I make this in a slow cooker (crockpot)?
You absolutely can. Put all the ingredients in your slow cooker (skip the added water) and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or high for 4 – 6 hours until chicken easily shreds with a fork.
What to eat with instant pot BBQ chicken (serving suggestions)
This is a great simple lunch or dinner recipe that pairs well with homemade coleslaw (double the dressing if you like it super creamy), tropical fruit salad, air fryer corn on the cob, and quick yeast dinner rolls!
More delicious chicken recipes
- Chicken tikka masala
- Chicken alfredo bake
- Chicken meatballs
- Stove top chicken breast
- French onion chicken
- See all our chicken recipes!
Other instant pot recipes to enjoy
- Instant pot shredded chicken
- Coconut rice
- Taco soup
- Baked beans
- Instant pot ribs
- Sloppy joes
- See all our recipes that can be made in the instant pot!
BBQ recipes to try next
- BBQ chicken taquitos
- BBQ chicken nachos
- BBQ pulled pork
- Baked BBQ chicken
- BBQ chicken pizza
- See all our BBQ recipes!
Tools we love
- Instant pot pressure cooker – Mine is a 6 quart basic model, but there are lots of bigger, smaller, and fancier options to choose.
- Stand mixer – Perfect for shredding chicken easily.
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How to Make Instant pot BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 - 2 pounds boneless chicken we used breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the pressure cooker and pour in the water. Sprinkle the salt and pepper and garlic powder all over the chicken, then pour the BBQ sauce over the top.
- Cook for 10 minutes on manual (high pressure), then hit cancel and allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Carefully quick release the remaining pressure.
- Shred the chicken and mix with the juices.
Notes
Nutrition
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
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So juicy & packed with flavor!! This couldn’t be any easier to make! It comes together so quick & is a hit!
am so glad I found this recipe! I love bbq but I dont have time to make it well, and this is everything that I needed!
This is the perfect recipe to switch up between bbq pork. Chicken is our main staple around here. We use it a lot & we love bbq recipes!