The BEST Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken

bbq pulled chicken sandwich made in the Instant Pot with coleslaw

4.87 from 23 votes

The BEST Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken

This Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe is a family favorite - it is SO EASY to make, makes great leftover pulled chicken, and tastes fantastic.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 255kcal

Author: Kate

Cost: $9

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 large yellow onion sliced
4 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons pork or chicken seasoning (or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon each salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika - See Notes)
1/2 cup water
1 cup barbecue sauce , divided or more or less to taste

Instructions

Place the sliced onions on the bottom of the instant pot. Add chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle the pork or chicken seasoning (or spice mixture) on top of the chicken. Add half the barbecue sauce on top of the chicken. Add 1/2 cup water on the side of the chicken.
Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on manual setting at high pressure for 20 minutes. Allow for natural pressure release (NPR) for at least 10 minutes.
Press the saute button and allow the extra liquid to cook off (about 10 minutes), stirring every few minutes to break up the chicken and ensure that the chicken doesn't stick to the bottom.
Add the rest of the BBQ sauce and stir well. Serve warm in a BBQ pulled chicken sandwich, in tacos, or over rice.

Video

Notes

If you don't have pork or chicken seasoning and don't want to bother with all the spices, you can skip the spice mixture altogether. The BBQ sauce and onions add enough flavor to the chicken and I make it the "lazy way" all the time. Or you can season it with just a bit of salt and pepper, if you prefer.

Nutrition