Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken is a dump-and-go Instant Pot recipe that takes under 30 minutes. Juicy barbecue shredded chicken to pile on a bun or even a bed of rice. Making shredded BBQ chicken Instant Pot is one of the best first recipes to try.
This Instant Pot Shredded BBQ is my boy’s new favorite. Which makes it my new favorite too!
Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
4 Ingredients are all it takes to create this delicious Shredded BBQ Chicken. I love to make a double batch and keep some in the fridge for quick warm snacks on the run. Once you have this for dinner, the kids will be craving more. The leftovers come in very handy.
Ways To Serve BBQ Chicken
The leftovers are delicious on slider buns, in tacos, quesadillas, on top of a salad, in a wrap, and on top of crackers. I am pretty sure my boys could come up with at least another half a dozen ideas.
My boys have gotten to the age, they are on the run. I love having something in the fridge that they can quickly warm up and it can be considered dinner if necessary. Depending on what sports season it is, there are some nights it is necessary.
Sandwich Toppers
Top your Instant Pot Shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches with coleslaw. Or for an extra delicious twist on these sandwiches, you can top them with shredded cheddar cheese and bacon. Yummy!!
Serve this with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese and this will be everyone’s favorite meal.
Easy Way To Shred Chicken
Shredding chicken truly is easy. Whether you reach for meat claws or forks you just stick claws in the meat and pull.
This chicken is so tender it will shred in seconds. Or if you own a KitchenAid blender toss it in and start to blend on low and it instantly shreds the chicken.
My all-time favorite and easiest method are using a hand mixer. Keep your chicken right in your pot and use your hand mixer to quickly shred your chicken. It works perfectly!
I learned that trick years ago. Saves you from giving your arms an unnecessary workout. This also works on other types of cooked meats you might want shredded.
Does Any Boneless Chicken Work
You bet! Reach for any boneless chicken and you will find it cooks up nicely. Bone in chicken you would have a harder time removing all the bones.
It is easy to miss smaller bones so I just reach for boneless.
How To Make Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 Large Chicken Breasts
- 18 ounces Barbecue Sauce**
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1Tablespoon Salt
- 1/2 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Onion Powder
DIRECTIONS:
- 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.
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TIPS:
- 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 possibly 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, or even nachos!
Can I Cook Chicken From Frozen
Yes! The beauty of a pressure cooker is you can cook the chicken from frozen. Since you don’t sear the chicken, just toss in frozen and move to the next step.
The Instant Pot will actually thaw the chicken before it begins to cook. So it will take longer for your pot to actually come to pressure. But you would leave the cooking time the same for frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins.
Can You Freeze Leftover Shredded BBQ Chicken
Absolutely! Just take your cooled-down chicken and place it in a container that is safe for the freezer or bag.
If you have a vacuum seal system feel free to reach for that. It will extend the shelf life of your pulled chicken.
You can freeze for up to three months. I recommend thawing in the fridge overnight. Or do a slow cook to gently thaw on the stove or even a slow cooker. You might find you need to add a little extra broth or sauce to prevent it from drying out if cooking from frozen.
Craving More Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Mac and Cheese | Dress up your mac with chicken! The ultimate comfort food is calling your name!
- Crack Chicken | The ultimate tried and true crack chicken that is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor.
- Chicken Burrito Bowl | In under twenty minutes you can ring that dinner bell and watch your family come running. Juicy shredded chicken, rice, black beans, and more come together to make this one comforting instant pot chicken burrito bowl.
Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken is a dump-and-go Instant Pot recipe that takes under 30 minutes. Juicy barbecue shredded chicken to pile on a bun or even a bed of rice. Making shredded BBQ chicken Instant Pot is one of the best first recipes to try.
Ingredients
- 4 Large Chicken Breasts
- 18 ounces Barbecue Sauce**
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1Tablespoon Salt
- 1/2 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Onion Powder
Instructions
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 possibly 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, or even nachos!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 401Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1089mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 26g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
The tip to use the hand blender to shred the chicken worked like a charm!
I made a double batch using frozen chicken breasts which worked great. For my taste there was too much sauce that wasn’t thick enough. If I make it again I’d double the ration of BBQ sauce to chicken broth but that means you’d have to make at least a double batch to have enough liquid in the Instant Pot. I used Kraft BBQ sauce which I think could have used a dash of liquid smoke to spice it up.