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Shredded bbq chicken in instant pot with tongs.
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4.59 from 31 ratings

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

from kristineskitchenblog.com
This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is saucy, tender, and so easy to make. It makes the best BBQ chicken sandwiches and is perfect for feeding a crowd! Leftover pulled chicken is also delicious in tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salads and on pizza.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time16 minutes
Inactive Time25 minutes
Total Time51 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 198kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce divided
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt use ½ teaspoon if using water instead of broth
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • burger buns if desired, for serving

Instructions

  • Combine the chicken broth, ½ cup of the BBQ sauce (reserve the remaining BBQ sauce for after cooking), apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper in the Instant Pot. Whisk until well combined.
  • Nestle the chicken into the sauce.
  • Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Set the cook time to 16 minutes at high pressure. (The cook time is the same for fresh and frozen chicken.) See the note at the end of the recipe for more cook time information.)
  • The Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin counting down. When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes by leaving the Instant Pot alone (no need to press anything).
  • After 10 minutes, carefully move the steam release valve to the venting position. Once all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, carefully open the Instant Pot lid. Check that the chicken has cooked to at least 165° F using an instant read thermometer.
  • Remove the chicken to a clean bowl or cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes.
  • Shred the chicken using two forks, your fingers, or a stand mixer. Stir some of the sauce from the pot into the shredded chicken, along with up to ½ cup more BBQ sauce. (You won't use all of the liquid from the pot.) Serve BBQ chicken on burger buns, with extra BBQ sauce, or as desired.

Video

Notes

  • If your chicken breasts are very large AND frozen, increase the pressure cook time to 18 minutes at high pressure, plus a 10 minute natural release.
  • If your chicken breasts are very small and not frozen, reduce the pressure cook time to 12 minutes at high pressure, plus a 10 minute natural release.
  • Some readers have asked if they can double this recipe, and the answer is yes! Just double all of the ingredients, but use the same cook time as a single recipe.
  • Nutrition information estimate is for BBQ chicken only (not burger buns), and assumes that all of the sauce will be consumed, which it may not be.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is only an estimate.
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