Instant Pot BBQ Chicken! Sweet, fall-apart tender and perfect for sandwiches, salads, BBQ plates and more!
This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is an easy recipe you can make for a weeknight meal. You can use in so many ways!
I like serving it on buns for chicken sandwiches or for a delicious meal over rice. It is also one of my favorite recipe for meal prep!
It’s also delicious in a BBQ chicken salad with romaine, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and ranch dressing. This chicken is versatile, easy and delicious!
However you serve it, this easy instant pot barbecue chicken is one of my favorite recipes for busy weeknights!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a combination of boneless chicken breasts and boneless thighs. I like the texture when
Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, brown sugar and grated onion give this chicken delicious flavor.
The flavor of this BBQ chicken really depends on what kind of BBQ sauce you use. Use your favorite bbq sauce for this instant pot bbq chicken recipe!
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
This instant pot pulled chicken can be made in 4 easy steps.
- Place the ingredients in the instant pot in this order: chicken broth (or water), chicken, onion powder, garlic, powder, paprika, salt, BBQ sauce, grated onion, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. (Do NOT stir. You want the water to stay on the bottom of the pot so the instant pot comes to pressure.)
- Place the lid on the instant pot making sure the valve is in the sealing position. Press manual (high pressure) and set the cook time to 15 minutes.
- Let the pressure natural release for 10 minutes. Then quick release the venting position to remove the remaining pressure.
- Remove the cooked chicken and shred it. Reduce the liquid by pressing the “saute” button and simmering the sauce until thickened if necessary. Add the shredded meat back into the sauce.
Note: This recipe has been updated since the video was published. In recent years I’ve recommended add a cup of water or chicken broth, not stirring, removing the chicken and reducing the liquid, then adding the chicken back in. This ensures the instant pot doesn’t give you the dreaded burn notice!
I like using a combination of chicken breasts and chicken thighs for the meat. The meat turns out so much more moist this way than compared to using all chicken breasts.
I used to make BBQ chicken in the slow cooker all the time, but now I prefer it in the instant pot. It is so easy to throw everything in and walk away. Plus it takes just a fraction of the time.
For an allergy-friendly meal, enjoy this on toasted gluten-free buns with a side of my favorite Dairy-Free Coleslaw! You also might like these bbq nachos.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Use Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce: Not all brands are gluten-free so check the label! I use Lea and Perrins which is gluten-free.
Choose a Good BBQ Sauce: The flavor of this chicken is highly dependent on what kind of BBQ sauce you use. I love the flavor of Sweet Baby Ray’s – but lately I’ve been using Stubbs Sweet Sticky BBQ sauce (such a good price on Amazon!) because it doesn’t contain high-fructose corn syrup. Use your favorite barbecue sauce!
Chicken Breasts + Thighs = Yum: I like using a combination of chicken breast and thighs in this recipe. The chicken thighs keep the dish moist and delicious!
More Instant Pot Recipes
I hope you like this recipe as much as we do! If you try it be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken stock or water
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup grated onion plus juice
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Place the ingredients in the instant pot in this order: chicken stock (or water), chicken, onion powder, garlic, powder, paprika, salt, BBQ sauce, grated onion, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Do NOT stir. You want the water to stay on the bottom of the pot so the instant pot comes to pressure.
- Place the lid on the instant pot making sure the valve is in the sealing position. Press manual (high pressure) and set to 15 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Then quick release the venting position to release the remaining pressure and open the pot.
- Remove the chicken and shred it. If necessary, reduce the liquid by pressing the "saute" button and simmering the sauce, stirring often, until thickened. Add the chicken back to the sauce before serving.
- Add more BBQ sauce if desired. Shred and enjoy on sandwiches, salads, BBQ plates and more!
Hi,
What kind of chicken is meant to be used in this recipe? Bone-in? Boneless?
I use boneless chicken for this recipe!
Do you use bone n breast or boneless?
I use boneless chicken 🙂
How long to cook if you double the recipe to 6lbs of chicken?
The cook time will be the same if you double the recipe. I hope this helps!
I made this tonight and it was delicious. My entire family loved it. Thank you for the great recipe! I am so happy I found your site.
I am planning to make the dish for 12 to 15 people. Should I double up all the ingredients and the cooking time?
Thank you
You can actually keep the cook time the same when you double the recipe.
I’m confused by all the comments mentioned burn alarm and asking if they need to add water. Am I the only person who noticed the first thing you put into the instant pot was 1 cup of chicken broth.?
Can I use chicken drumsticks instead?
Can I make this recipe using turkey instead (for Thanksgiving)?
I’m not sure what cut of turkey you’d try and use here so I can’t say for sure!
I feel stupid asking but how much do you consider to be 1 serving I am on a strict diet and CHART anything I eat. The recipe says serves 6. I used all chicken breast.
Not a dumb question at all! It would be 1/6th of the entire dish. Does that make sense?
Hi! I have tried this recipe many times and its so yummy!!! I would like to make it again but can I reduce it by 1/2? Would this change the cooking time? Can I still use the instant pot? Thanks so much!
It would keep the cooking time the same! That should work in the instant pot especially if you use a BBQ sauce with a thinner consistency.
My guy loves this! He even eats it over pasta
How many pounds of chicken breast do you use if you are not using thighs?
Use 3lbs of chicken breasts total in place of the thighs!
Making this tonight… I don’t have thighs just chicken breasts and only a red onion… will that work or no?
Yes that will work!
What size instant pot does this recipe require? We just bought one and it’s 6 qts
Many many thanks
I use a 6qt for my recipes as well!
Trying this for the first time. I haven’t used my Insta pot for other than slow cooking yet. Have a question: should have been set on “meat/stew” or on “steam”?
Thank you for all your attention to questions and comments. I think this is going to come out deliciously.