Your new favorite sandwich is here! Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches is an easy dinner recipe ready in minutes!
Sweet and spicy shredded chicken, cooked to perfection, piles high on soft rolls for a taste you won't forget.
Let me show you how to get dinner on the table fast tonight using another one of my Family Favorite Chicken Recipes.
I have a slight confession for you. I have never used an instant pot! But I knew it was time to get an instant pot recipe on the site because quite a few of you have been messaging me asking for one.
Looking for more easy recipes to add to your Weekly Meal Plan? Try my Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Garlic Mayo. You might also enjoy this recipe for Shredded Chicken Thighs Instant Pot with a different cut of meat.
Table of Contents
- BBQ Shredded Chicken Instant Pot
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- 📋Main Ingredients Needed
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Why does my Instant Pot Say Burn?
- How to Shred Cooked Chicken
- Add the Barbecue Sauce
- Before You Begin!
- Serving Tips
- Storage, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
BBQ Shredded Chicken Instant Pot
This Instant Pot recipe delivers the same delicious results as my classic slow cooker version, only way faster! It's perfect for those busy nights when you still want a home-cooked meal in under 30 minutes.
Use your family's favorite BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Ray's is always a hit in our house! Want to spice up your chicken sandwich? Try this recipe for Instant Pot Crack Chili Chicken.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Instant Pot 6 QtMore InformationDigital Instant Read Meat ThermometerMore InformationWhite Enamel BowlsMore InformationSweet Baby Ray's Variety 3More InformationSweet Baby Ray's Honey MustardMore InformationMeat Shredder Claws, BBQ SmokerMore Information
📋Main Ingredients Needed
Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later! This recipe should make enough for six sandwiches.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- BBQ Seasoning
- Water
- 1 jar BBQ sauce - I used 16 ounce size of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the instant pot.
Step 2: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, seal the vent, set to Pressure Cook, and cook for 8 minutes before performing a quick release and removing the lid.
Why does my Instant Pot Say Burn?
Sometimes when you're cooking with sugar-based sauces like the barbecue sauce in this recipe, the sugar will caramelize which increases the temperature making the bottom of the instant pot too hot.
There should be no need to worry because the pressure has been released, but always refer to your instant pot's owner's manual for instructions!
I found this article on 7 Instant Pot Burn Mistakes very helpful when writing my post.
How to Shred Cooked Chicken
There are a few different methods you can use to shred cooked chicken:
- The first way is how most people do it and that's with using two forks. Use one fork to hold the chicken in place on top of a cutting board and use the other fork to scrape and tear the chicken into small, shredded pieces.
- Instead of two forks, you could use these shredding claws that I think would work perfectly!
- Great To Use For Outdoor Grilling Or In The Kitchen - These claws can manipulate beef, chicken, turkey, or any tender meat of your choosing at lightning-fast speeds
- The second way is using an electric mixer. Break up the cooked chicken a little bit with your hands and then add the chicken to a mixing bowl and then turn the hand mixer on slow while pressing the beaters into the chicken. You can even use a KitchenAid mixer to shred chicken.
- Next is a food processor. Just make sure you use the proper blade which is the top “slicer” disk blade. If you don't, you'll have a mess on your hands.
- You can even use a Ninja type blender but don't try to use a NutriBullet as that requires adding liquid.
Add the Barbecue Sauce
Step 3: Add the shredded chicken back to the instant pot and then add the barbecue sauce. Set to sauté and cook for 5 minutes to warm up the sauce.
Before You Begin!
If you give this a try, please leave a review and star rating! This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Serving Tips
Serve this delicious shredded BBQ chicken in soft hamburger rolls or slider rolls. This recipe would even be great served over rice or spiralized zucchini zoodles.
Or you can serve the shredded chicken over a bed of lettuce with crushed tortilla corn chips on top.
Storage, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, transfer it to an airtight container. Be sure to include any leftover sauce, as this will help keep the chicken moist. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Once the chicken has cooled, place it in airtight freezer bags or containers, squeezing out excess air. Label it with the contents and date before freezing. The chicken will stay good for 3-4 months frozen.
Thawing and Reheating: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in your Instant Pot on the sauté setting.
Stress-Free Dinners for a Whole Month!
📖 Recipe Card
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning mix
- ½ cup water
- 1 jar barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in the bowl of the Instant Pot.
- Add water.
- Season the chicken with BBQ seasoning.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent.
- Set to Pressure Cook and cook for 8 minutes.
- Do a quick release and remove the lid from the Instant Pot.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred with a fork.
- Pour out extra water and put shredded chicken back in the pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute and add the BBQ sauce.
- Stir to mix and cook for five minutes to warm the sauce.
📖 Recipe Card
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning mix
- ½ cup water
- 1 jar barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in the bowl of the Instant Pot.
- Add water.
- Season the chicken with BBQ seasoning.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent.
- Set to Pressure Cook and cook for 8 minutes.
- Do a quick release and remove the lid from the Instant Pot.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred with a fork.
- Pour out extra water and put shredded chicken back in the pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute and add the BBQ sauce.
- Stir to mix and cook for five minutes to warm the sauce.
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Sam says
1 jar BBQ sauce? The amount, please.
Lois says
I used a 16 ounce size of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce. Thank you for visiting!