BBQ Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

This is our easy 2 ingredient Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe that we use to make soft tacos often! It’s healthy and so cheap that feeds 5 of us for under $10.00. Use fresh or follow our Instant Pot frozen chicken breast with sauce instructions too.

I added a bunch of this into some small soft tortillas I made. Toped them with some cheese and avocado slices, BAM our chicken Instant Pot tacos were served for dinner. Perfect for a Tuesday or any day of the week really. It doesn’t matter what brand you might have at home.

BBQ Ninja Foodi Shredded Chicken

You can use a Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi because they both have the high pressure function so they’ll work. With this one you’ll use the lid that is not attached and the high pressure function.

Typically shredded is super soft without any crisp at all on the outside. It is boiled or pressure cooked like our Ninja Foodi shredded chicken is until tender enough to shred with 2 forks. Pulled is typically smoked or slow cooked in the oven until it falls apart easily.

Is barbecue sauce enough liquid to cook chicken in Instant Pot?

Yes and no. You will need a bit of liquid to thin it out but yes most of the cooking is done right in the sauce itself which gives your meat a ton of flavor! Use whatever your favorite bottled or homemade sauce you have on hand BUT don’t use the thick honey variety because that is very thick.

How long does it take to cook fall apart chicken breasts in pressure cooker?

Everyone raved about how good this turned out and it just took 15 minutes to cook in my new favorite appliance. Of course the timing will change a bit if you use very large pieces. I recommend medium size breasts or thighs, organic is our preference as well.

Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken

Here’s a tip: this is how to cook frozen chicken in Instant Pot just in case you forgot to thaw it beforehand. This is surprisingly wonderful and can use broth or your favorite sauce of choice. The timing really doesn’t change which is amazing. Just choose small pieces in this case and separate before putting into the pot.

It’s great if you are into batch cooking too! You can make a ton of it and divide into freezer bags. Package as much as your family would eat in one meal. Freeze, defrost when ready and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Ingredient Notes

I used white meat for this example but you could easily use brown or dark meat too. No matter which you choose I would choose boneless and skinless so they fall apart easier. That way it has time to soak up that wonderful sauce and marinate in it in a sense for as long as possible.

Amazing doesn’t even describe this 3 ingredient Instant Pot recipe with barbecue sauce. You can choose your favorite brand and flavor but you don’t want to use the one that says just honey as that is too thick and may trigger the burn notice.

Please read; If you happen to have the burn message displayed on your pot follow the how to deglaze Instant Pot directions here. There’s no need to cook the chicken. It will cook in the sauce and water or use chicken broth for liquid instead.

Add some to small tortillas to make soft tacos with some cheese and avocado, or leave chicken whole and serve on top of Ninja foodi rice.

Variations

Here is what you’re going to need in order to get started. Of course there are many ways to change this up. Adding onions are optional, you can add sweetness with a small can of diced pineapple, or make it spicy with Sriracha too.

1. 1 can of chunk pineapple will add a bit of sweet
2. Onion sliced is a nice add in
3. Smoked paprika is a nice touch
4. You can add a pinch of chili powder for heat
5. Salt and pepper and/or onion powder or garlic powder when done
6. You would want tortillas and all the fixings for tacos

Other easy pressure cooker chicken recipes you’ll love

Instant Pot chicken parmesan casserole is a great one with the noodles and meat all cooked together. Then try our cheap Instant Pot teriyaki chicken

• Easy Instant Pot orange chicken
• Our Instant Pot Hawaiian chicken is the bomb too

If you want to make Crockpot bbq chicken recipe here are recipes using that method too. You can also make boiled shredded chicken on the stovetop.