Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Instant Pot filled with shredded bbq chicken.

4.77 from 13 votes

Quick, easy, and flavorful instant pot BBQ chicken! The chicken is tender and juicy, packed with BBQ flavor, and is great for salads, tacos, sandwiches, and more. Make it for meal prep to have a quick protein on hand during the week! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and Whole30.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Bbq pulled chicken instant pot, instant pot bbq chicken, Instant pot bbq chicken breast

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings cups

Calories 279kcal

Author Kelly Nardo

Equipment

instant pot

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken breast
1 cup bbq sauce, divided (or more if needed/desired)
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt (depending on taste)
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Prep your instant pot. Pour 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and chicken broth into the bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker, mix to combine, and spread across the bottom. If you need to add a little more to cover the bottom, add more broth (this will depend on the size of your Instant Pot).
Make your spice mixture. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Cook chicken breasts. Place chicken in the instant pot and sprinkle the spice mixture overtop. Close the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is set to the sealing position, set to manual on high pressure, and pressure cook for 13 minutes. You can either quick release the remaining pressure or let it naturally release when done.
Shred. Open the lid and remove the chicken. Set your Instant Pot to saute mode for 5-10 minutes to help absorb excess liquid. While Instant Pot is on saute mode, shred chicken with two forks. Once most of the liquid is absorbed (you still want some - about 1/3-1/2 cup left in the pot), turn off Instant Pot, and add your shredded chicken back into the pot. Pour in the rest of the BBQ sauce (1/2 cup) and stir to combine. Add more BBQ sauce if you like.
Enjoy! Enjoy however you like!

Notes

The chicken gives off liquid as it cooks, so when you open it up, there is more liquid in there than when you started. You start with about 1/2 cup of bbq sauce and after it cooks, you are left with a cup or so of liquid/sauce. Then you put the Instant Pot on saute mode to help absorb some of that excess liquid. You want to reduce it to about 1/3-1/2 cup liquid (depending on your preference), then stir in the rest of the bbq sauce (about 1/2 cup).

This recipe was updated to help ensure you don't get the burn notice.

Nutrition will vary based on what kind of barbeque sauce you are using.

Nutrition