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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken: Juicy Shreds in 30 Minutes

This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful pulled chicken in under an hour.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Natural Pressure Release 10 minutes
Total Time 51 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs Choose thighs for juicier bites.
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth Can be substituted with water, adjust salt accordingly.
  • 0.5 cup BBQ Sauce Reserve half for serving.
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar White vinegar works in a pinch.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Fresh garlic alters cooking time.
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder Omit for milder flavors or swap with smoked paprika.
  • to taste Salt and Black Pepper Personalize to suit your palate.
Optional Additions
  • to taste Onion Powder Great for a savory punch.
  • to taste Cayenne Pepper Adjust to taste.

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In your Instant Pot, combine 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth, ½ cup of BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk together until fully incorporated.
  2. Nestle the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the sauce, ensuring each piece is submerged.
  3. Close the lid tightly and turn the valve to sealing. Select the manual or pressure cook setting on your Instant Pot, adjusting the time to 16 minutes at high pressure.
  4. Once the timer goes off, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Then switch the valve to quick release.
  5. Open the lid and transfer the chicken to a plate. Use two forks or a stand mixer to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Stir in the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce into the shredded chicken.
  7. Serve it piled high on toasted hamburger buns or in tortillas, optionally with coleslaw.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 27gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 680mgSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1IUCalcium: 1mgIron: 4mg

Notes

This BBQ chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months for meal prep.

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