Easy, Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken is a quick, healthy pressure cooker recipe that can be used to make shredded chicken sandwiches. This recipe produces juicy chicken that is drizzled with BBQ sauce. If you are looking for a keto version, use sugar-free, unsweetened BBQ sauce.
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This post was originally posted in July 2017 and has been since updated.
This recipe for Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches provides a quick and easy way to eat home-cooked BBQ without using a grill. I have gotten a lot of feedback from subscribers of my blog that they would like to see ways to prepare grilled dishes without using a grill.
Many people have apartments that do not allow grills. Some people simply do not know how to use a grill. (I can actually help with that! I should probably put together a tutorial).
I recommend grilled meats for meal prep purposes because the grill locks in so much flavor and produces really juicy meat. Flavor and juicy are key to meal prep dishes.
When reheated, juicy meat that is packed with tons of flavor does not feel like leftovers. Though I recommend using a grill for a lot of recipes, I have found the Instant Pot can yield very similar results!
Table of Contents
How to Make BBQ Pulled Chicken in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
- Add chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
- Cook in the Instant Pot using the Meat Setting.
- Allow steam to release naturally.
- Open the pot and shred the chicken.
How Long to Cook Pulled Chicken in Instant Pot
I use 10 minutes of cook time, with an additional 10 minutes of natural release of steam.
How to Reheat Pulled Chicken in Instant Pot
If you want to reheat using the Instant Pot use the Saute function and add additional liquid such as BBQ sauce.
How to Make Buffalo Pulled Chicken in Instant Pot
Check out my Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe here.
Can You Use Frozen Chicken for BBQ Pulled Chicken in the Instant Pot?
Cook the chicken for 20 minutes if using frozen.
What Does Natural Release on Instant Pot Mean?
Natural release means that you allow the steam from the pot to release naturally instead of performing a quick release and releasing the steam immediately when the food has stopped cooking.
For meat, I always do a natural release because it always results in juicier meat.
Why Does My Instant Pot Say Burn?
The Instant Pot will register the burn signal if the pot has overheated or if food has stuck to the bottom of the pot. This usually occurs when there isn't enough liquid in the pot to accommodate the ingredients in the recipe. You can read more about What Instant Pot Burn Message Means here.
What Goes Well With Pulled Chicken?
Pair this Pulled Chicken with Instant Pot Potato Salad, Instant Pot Southern Green Beans, Keto Coleslaw, and Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad.
I live in Kansas City. We are known for our BBQ here. The pressure is on to make sure I put together a recipe that is true to my KC roots. I used our infamous, local Gates BBQ Sauce for this recipe. Gates BBQ sauce is tomato based with some vinegar and is not overly sweet.
You can keep this dish keto-friendly by using my Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce.
To assist with making the chicken feel and taste like homestyle BBQ I added Liquid Smoke. This gives the chicken a smokey taste, similar to that from a grill.
If you are cooking this dish and want to enjoy leftovers or for meal prep, store the chicken in Tupperware. Pack the buns in Ziploc bags and toast immediately before eating.
More Instant Pot Recipes:
Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cider
Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Soup
Instant Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Starbucks Gingerbread Latte
Instant Pot Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
Instant Pot Low-Carb Pumpkin Spice Bread
Instant Pot Lasagna
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Using the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken and Spanish Rice (Arroz Con Pollo)
Instant Pot Cheesecake
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
Instant Pot Steak Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl with Quinoa
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 sesame buns
- 1 tablespoon red cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- McCormicks Grill Mates BBQ Seasoning to taste
- McCormicks Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with the seasonings (including the cocoa powder).
- Add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Next, add the chicken broth, ¼ cup of BBQ sauce, and liquid smoke.
- Put the lid on the pot and adjust the settings to the Meat Setting. 10 minutes should be the default. Leave it at 10 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to release steam on its own without quick release.
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. Using a knife and fork, shred the chicken.
- Remove the chicken broth and BBQ sauce mixture from the Instant Pot with a ladle. Drizzle the sauce over the pulled chicken.
- Toast the buns (optional)
- Add the chicken to the buns.
- Drizzle the remaining sauce throughout. Top with sliced red cabbage.
- Serve!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Dannii says
This is the ultimate summer sandwich! I have been hearing lots about the instant pot - I will have to try it for myself.
Claire@foodiequine says
I'm drooling over this at breakfast. This looks so yummy, so quick to cook in an instant pot.
Laura says
This instant pot really makes miracles. I definitely need to try to make this pulled chicken
Michelle | The Last Food Blog says
Yum! Seriously drooling over these and that bbq sauce sounds amazing!
Christine says
I love BBQ chicken (well, any BBQ really) but I still don't have an Instant Pot. I need to get one so I can make these delicious sandwiches!
Veena Azmanov says
Now that looks so cool easy and effortless. I love such recipes
Tara says
Wow! Such a great use of the instant pot! It has been way too long since I have had BBQ chicken. Yours looks incredible.
Natalia says
I love the idea of having grilled chicken without using a grill! I don't have an instant pot myself but should get one to try all those delicious recipes and these mouthwatering chicken sandwiches. I'm sure my family will love them!
Shashi at Savory Spin says
Wow - your pulled chicken looks amazing - and ooh that sauce! I don't have an instant pot yet - but, its on my list! Thanks for the tip about adding liquid smoke!
Ashley says
These BBQ pork sandwiches look delicious! I've bene looking for new Summer recipes, I will have to try this one out!
staysnatched says
Thank you...it's pulled chicken 🙂
Edyta at Innocent Delight says
I love easy meals like this and anything smothered in BBQ sauce is super good. I like that you used chicken in this recipe. Lighter version of pulled meat sandwich for my family 🙂 Thanks for sharing
Rebecca Bryant says
Oh, my these look so good. I love a good BBQ sandwich. This would make the perfect weekend meal with a side of slaw.
Alicia Taylor says
I so need to get an Instant Pot. I see recipes for them everywhere. You make those BBQ sandwiches look so good, too
Lois Alter Mark says
Those sandwiches look amazing! I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't have an instant pot at this point but I'm going to have to change that. I can't believe you can make these in one!
Carrie Chance says
That looks delicious. I'm actually eating bbq pulled pork as I type this. It wasn't made in an instant pot and took a lot longer than 25 minutes though
Kristin Cheuvront says
This looks so good! We make something similar with pork but we need to try these!
Louise says
I'm a big fan of pulled pork, but I haven't tried pulled chicken before! It looks delicious though. I think I'm going to have to give it a try 🙂
Louise x
reesa says
I am thinking about getting an Instant Pot today on Prime Day! These look delicious. I love making BBQ chicken in the crockpot, but it takes forever!
staysnatched says
It's on Prime Day for $89 right now! $40 off.
Kerri says
My mother loves pulled pork. I will have to try your recipe the next time she comes over. I love that it takes only a short time.
staysnatched says
It's pulled chicken! Hopefully she loves chicken as well.
Alicia says
This looks absolutely delicious! I love a good pulled bbq recipe!
Stephanie says
I made this recipe last night for my family's little New Years Eve party and it was a big hit with everyone. It was the first time cooking in my instant pot as I just received mine for Christmas. I love how fast it cooks and how tender the Chicken was. The only ingredient I left out was the red cabbage, but everything else was so full of flavor. I will definitely make this again.
staysnatched says
That is so awesome! I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope you subscribe to my blog and try out more recipes!
Alicia says
This looks good! I am thinking of making for a party. Would it hold up if I made ahead and froze it? Also, thinking of doing more like 8lbs. do I need to increase the cook time?
staysnatched says
Do you mean that you will be using frozen chicken? If you use frozen chicken, the cook time is the same. The pot will take longer to come to pressure.
Chahlie says
If I double or even triple this recipe, how should I adjust the cook time? Instant Pots can be finicky that way.
staysnatched says
For double, you can use the same cook time. I haven't tested triple the amount.
Chahlie says
If I double or even triple this recipe, how much should I adjust the cook time? Thanks in advance.
staysnatched says
Double the timing should be the same. I'm not sure about triple because I not tested that.
Jennifer says
I made the pulled chicken sandwiches a couple of nights ago & it was sooooo good. I’m really enjoying the recipes on your site! ☺️
staysnatched says
Glad you enjoyed it and other recipes on the site!
Diana says
Made this for dinner tonight along with the coleslaw recipe. Absolutely delicious. It was easy and quick to make.
staysnatched says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!
Arielle says
Made this tonight!! Delicious!!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Coby says
This is a delicious recipe! I love the seasoning combination, it was so flavorful! And I loved topping the meat with the red cabbage. Will definitely be making this again!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Hazel says
Couldn’t wait to try this recipe and my taste buds are thanking me right now! 😋 Recipe was easy to follow and the flavor is definitely there! Cooked this for our dinner but couldn’t wait that long so I had it for lunch! Thanks for the recipe!🙏🏾🧡
staysnatched says
haha this works great for lunch!
Anna says
Love love love the flavor of this chicken! I don’t have an instant pot so made it with the exact ingredients but in a slow cooker and it was perfect!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Ashley says
Knew this week was going to be hectic, so I searched for a few Instant Pot recipes on Stay Snatched and I knew that it would not disappoint! The BBQ chicken sandwiches were delicious. The chicken came out so juicy and not dry. I’m looking forward to repurposing the leftover chicken for lunch!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!