BBQ Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Easy 2 ingredient Instant Pot BBQ shredded chicken breast recipe that we use to make soft tacos often! Simple pressure cooker dump meal that’s healthy and so cheap it feeds all 5 of us for under $10.00. Use fresh or follow our Instant Pot frozen chicken breast with sauce instructions too.

Instant Pot Chicken Chicken Boneless

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.

Ninja Foodi Shredded BBQ 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 anot attached and the high pressure function. Seriously the cheapest meal ever and such a hit with the kiddos.

Is shredded chicken the same as pulled chicken?

Very similar but cooked differently. 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 for 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.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs

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! Just a few simple ingredients and an Instant Pot and you’re ready to go! But any brand will do. I have them all. A Crockpot Express, Mealthy, Ninja foodi all work the same.

We love it like I said, served in flour tortillas but we’ve served it over rice before too and it’s just as good.

It is a pretty inexpensive to make costing only about $10 total for the whole meal which served all 5 of us + leftovers for me to eat it for lunch the next day.

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.

2 Ingredient BBQ Chicken Ingredients

1. 1 bottle of barbecue sauce
2. 3 -4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
   1. sliced, fresh frozen small pieces
   2. already cooked shredded chicken is perfectly fine, just adjust time to 3 minutes high pressure

Variations

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

You can use dark or white meat for this and the cook time wouldn’t really vary much at all. Use what you prefer and what is on sale.

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

Why we Love BBQ Shredded Chicken

• I have made this many times, but now prefer to dice chicken into bite size pieces. It is done faster, absorbs more of the sauce, and cooks more evenly.
• You’re also pretty assured it’s cooked through so you don’t have to check the internal temperature.
• Makes meal prep easy to just cut beforehand, and easier for kids to eat too.
• Quick release and done!

I have a printable jump to recipe card at the bottom of this post but here is a quick step by step;

How to Cook Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

1. Empty 1/2 jar of barbecue sauce on bottom of Instant Pot. (do not use honey variety as that will burn)
2. Put chicken on top of your sauce. Make sure they are cut in half or thirds so they cook through.
3. Squeeze the other half of jar on top. 
4. Pour 3/4 c water or broth inside your bbq sauce jar. Put lid on and shake, pour this on top.
5. Add chunks of pineapple and sliced onion if you choose to add that. Stir.
6. Close lid and make sure steam valve is closed. Set to high for 15 minutes
7. When it beeps allow to naturally release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release and lift lid. Use 2 forks to shred right in the pot.

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.

Other easy pressure cooker chicken recipes you’ll love

• Instant Pot chicken parmesan casserole
• 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.