Print

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Close-up of a juicy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich piled high with sauce, served with coleslaw.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make tender, flavorful BBQ pulled chicken quickly using your Instant Pot, perfect for easy weeknight sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 8 sandwich buns
  • Optional toppings: Coleslaw, sliced pickles

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
  2. Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar over the chicken.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the chicken.
  4. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the vent to sealing.
  5. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. When the cooking time finishes, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
  7. Remove the chicken from the pot and place it in a large bowl. Shred the chicken using two forks.
  8. Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce into the Instant Pot liner (do not put the liner back on the base yet). Stir to combine with the cooking liquid.
  9. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir well to coat it completely with the sauce.
  10. Select the Sauté function (Normal setting) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  11. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
  12. Serve the pulled chicken immediately on toasted sandwich buns with your preferred toppings like coleslaw or pickles.

Notes

  • For extra smoky flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the broth before cooking.
  • If you prefer thighs, they will yield a slightly richer texture.
  • You can prepare the chicken ahead of time and reheat it using the ‘Keep Warm’ setting or by sautéing again later.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/instant-pot-bbq-pulled-chicken-sandwiches/