Easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is juicy, tender, sweet and so tender! Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, quesadillas, bowls or meal prep for the week. Use your favorite BBQ sauce!
Looking for instant pot shredded chicken recipes? Be sure to try my instant pot chicken shawarma recipe next!
Why You'll Love This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
This BBQ shredded chicken tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but takes very little effort. Just add a few simple ingredients to the Instant Pot, let it cook, then shred the chicken—it’s that easy!
I love serving it on soft brioche buns with apple cabbage slaw for the ultimate BBQ chicken sandwich. But don’t stop there! Use the tender shredded chicken for rice bowls, tacos, baked sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, nachos, and more. The possibilities are endless!
And if you’re looking for more easy chicken recipes for dinner, be sure to check out our delicious chicken recipes!
-maria doss
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Tips for Success
- Chicken: I prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they stay more moist and tender than breasts. You can also use chicken breasts or a mix of both for a combination of white and dark meat.
- BBQ sauce: The BBQ sauce you choose makes a big difference in the final flavor, so use one you love. I used my favorite Kinder’s BBQ sauce, but any bottled BBQ sauce works. If you love BBQ flavors, be sure to try my BBQ salmon recipe too!
- Double the recipe: You can double the recipe to feed a crowd. Use an 8-quart Instant Pot and make sure you don’t fill the pot past the maximum-fill line.
FAQ'S
Use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce—sweet, smoky, spicy, tangy, or Kansas City-style all work. The sauce you choose will have a big impact on the final flavor, so go with one you already love!
This recipe also adds water along with the BBQ sauce. Besides creating the steam needed for pressure cooking, the extra water helps prevent a thick, sugary BBQ sauce from scorching on the bottom of the pot and triggering the Burn warning. The sauce is reduced after cooking, so you still end up with thick, flavorful, saucy shredded chicken.
There are three easy ways to shred chicken for BBQ shredded chicken: the classic two-fork method, a quick electric mixer method, or simply using your hands. Choose whichever method is easiest for you!
1. Two-Forks Method - This is the classic method and doesn’t require any special equipment. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, pull the meat apart into bite-sized shreds. Continue working across the entire piece of chicken until it is shredded to your preferred size.
2. Electric Mixer Method - This is the fastest option when you’re making a large batch. Place the warm chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low to medium-low speed for about 15–30 seconds, or until the chicken is evenly shredded. Be careful not to overmix, or the chicken can become too fine and mushy.
3. Using Your Hands - Let the chicken cool until it is comfortable and safe to handle. Using your fingers, pull the meat apart along its natural grain into your preferred size of shreds or chunks. This method gives you the most control over the texture, especially if you like your BBQ chicken a little chunky.
Yes, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are leaner, so I like to add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil along with the chicken to help keep the meat moist and tender.
You can also use an equal combination of chicken breasts and thighs. This gives you the best of both—leaner chicken breast combined with the extra moisture and richness of chicken thighs.
More Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 small red onion (sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ to 1 jalapeños pepper sliced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce I used Kinder's
- ½ cup water (use a little more if using a large instant pot)
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt (depends on the bbq sauce)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix. Add all ingredients into an instant pot and give a good mix.
- Pressure cook. Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Select Manual or High Pressure and set the cooking time for 10 minutes. When the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Shred chicken. Release any remaining pressure and carefully open the Instant Pot. Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a large plate.Press Sauté and let the sauce simmer, stirring often, until it has reduced and thickened.Meanwhile, shred the chicken with two forks or your hands (make sure it’s cool enough to handle). Keep the chicken as chunky or finely shredded as you like.
- Finish. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the chicken is thick and saucy.Be careful not to overcook it or let it dry out—the chicken should stay moist and nicely coated in sauce. Add a little more BBQ sauce if desired.
- Make sandwiches. Pile the warm chicken onto toasted brioche buns and top with apple-cabbage slaw (recipe in notes) along with a few pickle chips.
Notes
- Combine mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Toss with the cabbage, apple and red onion.
- Refrigerate until serving
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Ways To Serve Shredded BBQ Chicken?
Once you have a batch of this saucy instant pot shredded BBQ chicken ready to go, there are so many ways to use it. Here are some of my favorite ways to turn it into an easy dinner or appetizer.
Dinner ideas using shredded BBQ chicken
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches - Pile the warm chicken onto toasted brioche buns and top with crunchy, creamy coleslaw. I love an apple cabbage slaw along with a few pickle chips. The fresh, tangy crunch helps balance out the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes or Baked Potatoes - Split open a baked potato or sweet potato (try our easy air fryer baked sweet potato), fluff the inside with a little butter, and pile on the warm BBQ chicken. Finish with sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of sour cream for an easy and filling meal.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza - Spread a thin layer of extra BBQ sauce over homemade pizza dough (try our easy pizza dough recipe) or store-bought naan (or use our homemade garlic naan recipe or even the avocado naan). Add the shredded chicken, sliced red onions, cilantro, and a combination of mozzarella and smoked Gouda, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Using naan makes this especially quick. You can even make it in the air fryer—check out our air fryer naan pizza for the instructions.
- BBQ Chicken Quesadillas - Add the shredded chicken and Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese between two flour tortillas, then crisp them up in a skillet until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- BBQ Chicken Tacos - Pile the BBQ chicken into warm, charred corn tortillas and top with a bright cilantro-lime cabbage slaw. The fresh, crunchy slaw is such a nice contrast to the rich, saucy chicken. Our baked tilapia tacos have a great cabbage slaw you can use here too.
- BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls - Turn the chicken into an easy rice bowl by serving it over steamed white, brown, or jasmine rice. Add black beans, grilled or sautéed corn, shredded cabbage, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a filling meal that comes together in no time.
- BBQ Chicken and Mac and Cheese - BBQ chicken and mac and cheese are such a good combination! Pile the shredded chicken over homemade mac and cheese and finish with a small drizzle of extra BBQ sauce and some sliced green onions. For an easy kid-friendly option, you can also serve the chicken alongside our baked mac and cheese muffin cups.
Appetizer ideas using shredded BBQ chicken
- BBQ Chicken Nachos - Arrange a generous layer of sturdy tortilla chips on a baking sheet and scatter the shredded BBQ chicken over the top. Cover with a good amount of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finish with fresh jalapeño slices, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. It is similar to our butter chicken nachos, but sweeter!
- BBQ Chicken Potato Skins - Scoop out the centers of baked potato halves, leaving enough potato around the edges so the skins hold their shape. Brush with a little oil and bake until crisp, then fill with the shredded chicken and cheese. Pop them back in the oven or under the broiler until the cheese is melted, then finish with fresh chives.
- BBQ Chicken Sliders - Place a package of pull-apart slider rolls in a baking dish and slice the entire slab in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected. Layer the bottom half with shredded BBQ chicken and provolone cheese, then place the top half back on. Brush the tops with melted garlic butter and bake until the rolls are golden and the cheese is melted and gooey. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
How to make BBQ chicken in instant pot?
Storage
Leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. When freezing, I like to portion it into individual servings—this makes it quick to thaw and perfect for a fast dinner or lunch. If you love this easy pulled bbq chicken then you'll love this smoked pork ribs!
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Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
Katherine | Love In My Oven
This looks sooo good Maria! So flavorful. I need to use my Instant Pot more!
M
Could you please let me know the adjustments for a 6 quart IP?
Maria Doss
Hi, I recommend following the procedure as is except adding about 1/2 cup water along with the bbq sauce (in step-2). Enjoy and wishing you a very happy new year!
Alisha
So delicious!! Added to our dinner rotation!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved the chicken - Maria ♡