Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken

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Delicious easy shredded chicken in a fraction of the time right from your instant pot – loaded with tangy, smoky flavor from your favorite BBQ sauce!

bbq shredded chicken in a sesame seed bun in front of an instant pot on a plate on a table
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bbq shredded chicken coleslaw sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun on a white plate in front of an instant pot

BBQ Pulled Chicken in the Instant Pot

You don’t need to be outside grilling for delicious, juicy, tender, flavor-packed pulled chicken – this recipe locks in tons of flavor and a perfect texture for perfect chicken in no time – with almost no cleanup. Using your instant pot for chicken is a great way to save time and effort – just add ingredients, set, and go – and come back to chicken ready to shred and toss in sauce!

This chicken is also great with your favorite BBQ sauce if you’d like a low carb option instead of the homemade BBQ sauce we’re making, including sugar free and keto versions, so this recipe can be enjoyed on a keto diet. You can even serve with 4 Ingredient Keto Jalapeno Cheese Bread or Easy Keto Sandwich Bread Recipe to make a delicious BBQ chicken sandwich!

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do.

shredded chicken and cole slaw sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun on a white plate in front of an instant pot

How to Make BBQ Instant Pot Chicken

To make this recipe, we will use the following ingredients:

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Water
  • Barbecue Sauce:
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Vegetable oil
    • Dark Brown Sugar
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Salt
    • Garlic Powder
    • Onion Powder

Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, we will use the following process:

  • Prep. Place chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. In a small bowl combine the following ingredients: Barbecue Sauce, apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and onion powder; mix well to combine. Pour liquid mixture over the chicken breasts inside the Instant Pot. Take a fork and turn over each chicken breast so they are fully coated with liquid on each side, as this prevents burning.
  • Cook at pressure. Using the Manual High Pressure button, Cook on HIGH for 14 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for around 12 minutes. Then you can use the quick release.
  • Shred. Shred chicken with 2 forks inside the Instant Pot, or remove the breasts to a plate, shred, then return to the sauce.
shredded chicken sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun with fresh cole slaw on a white plate in front of an instant pot

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken

Take care when releasing steam. Instant pot steam releases can cause burns – never have your face over the Instant Pot, and stand back when releasing any steam. Never try to force open a pressure cooker.

Account for time for Instant Pot to come to pressure. IP cooking times can be decieving, since they are calculated by cook time – not by the time the pot takes to come to pressure. Add an extra 5-10 minutes, depending on you elevation, humidity, and temperature, for timing of your meal.

Thin store bought sauce with stock or water. If using a thicker BBQ sauce other than what I use, you will need to add chicken broth so it will not burn in the Instant Pot. Start with 1/2 cup broth to thin the sauce down, as you need the liquid for the pot to come to pressure.

Turn chicken in sauce. The purpose of turning the chicken over is to not have the chicken on the bottom of the Instant Pot without liquid underneath it. The chicken will stick and possible burn.

Shred in a stand mixer. Use a Kitchen Aid mixer with a paddle attachment to shred the chicken fast and quickly!

Keep leftovers! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving tips. Serve on hamburger buns, hot dog buns, Hawaiian rolls, regular rolls, on top of baked potatoes, even nachos!

FAQs

Can I use store bought sauce?

If you have a favorite BBQ sauce, go ahead and use it! We’re including a basic quick recipe for a tomato-sugar BBQ sauce that can be used with this recipe.

How long to cook shredded chicken in an instant pot?

Chicken will cook for 14 minutes at high pressure and a 10 minute natural release period.

When is instant pot shredded chicken done?

Chicken is fully cooked when it is 165 degrees internal temperature.

shredded chicken sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun with colesalw on a white plate in front of an instant pot

What to Serve With BBQ Shredded Chicken

BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches are great with Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Potato Chips, The Best Air Fried Corn Ribs, Mediterranean White Bean Salad, and more!

For more of our side dish ideas, check below:

shredded chicken sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun on a white plate in front of an instant pot

Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe

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shredded chicken sandwich with bbq sauce in a sesame bun on a white plate in front of an instant pot
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Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken

Delicious easy tender shredded chicken in a homemade BBQ sauce in less than 25 minutes right from the Instant Pot!
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine instant pot
Keyword bbq chicken, chicken, chicken sandwich, instant pot, keto chicken, shredded chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Natural Release Time 10 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 401kcal
Author Courtney O’Dell

Ingredients

  • 4 Large Chicken Breasts
  • 18 ounces Barbecue Sauce**
  • ½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup Dark Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Salt
  • ½ Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ Tablespoon Onion Powder

Instructions

  • Place chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
  • In a small bowl combine the following ingredients: Barbecue Sauce, apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and onion powder; mix well to combine.
  • Pour liquid mixture over the chicken breasts inside the Instant Pot.  Take a fork and turn over each chicken breast so they are fully coated with liquid on each side, as this prevents burning.
  • Using the Manual High Pressure button, Cook on HIGH for 14 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for around 12 minutes. Then you can use the quick release.
  • Shred chicken with 2 forks inside the Instant Pot, or remove the breasts to a plate, shred, then return to the sauce.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT: If using a thicker BBQ sauce other than what I use, you will need to add chicken broth so it will not burn in the Instant Pot. Start with 1/2 cup broth to thin the sauce down.
  • The purpose of turning the chicken over is to not have the chicken on the bottom of the Instant Pot without liquid underneath it.  The chicken will stick and possible burn.
  • Use a Kitchen Aid mixer to shred the chicken fast and quickly!
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
  • Serve on hamburger buns, hot dog buns, Hawaiian rolls, regular rolls, on top of baked potatoes, even nachos!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 1089mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g

About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

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