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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Making your Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is a cost-effective way to meal prep rather than buying pre-made chicken at a store or getting it from a restaurant.

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Round plate with shredded instant pot bbq chicken, corn, and broccoli

Why Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is Great for Meal Prep

  • By making your own shredded bbq chicken in the Instant Pot, you can control your portion size and can control the ingredients to ensure that they are healthy.
  • Using the Instant Pot to cook your BBQ chicken also saves a lot of time because the pressure cooking feature allows it to cook quickly and thoroughly.
  • You can also make a large batch and freeze them in portioned containers for later use which makes it a convenient option for busy nights when you don’t have time to cook from scratch.
  • The shredded BBQ chicken can be served in a variety of meals. We enjoy eating it with roasted vegetables, in sandwiches or wraps, or even on top of salads. You can use this protein dish in multiple meals throughout the week without getting tired of it.

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Here’s What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken

Making your own shredded BBQ chicken in the Instant Pot allows you to control the ingredients and flavors to your liking.

  • Chicken: We used boneless chicken thighs, but you can also use chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins if you prefer leaner protein.
  • BBQ Sauce: You can make your own BBQ sauce, however, we used a store bought version for the sake of time. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and pick a BBQ sauce that is less in sugar and sodium.
  • Broth: We used chicken broth, but you can also use water. You just need a little bit of liquid for this recipe
  • Seasonings: To enhance the flavor, we added garlic powder, paprika, and a little bit of liquid smoke to add the “BBQ flavor”
Round plate with shredded instant pot bbq chicken, corn, and broccoli

Easy Steps for Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

  1. Combine the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
  2. Seal the lid and set the timer for 25 minutes on high pressure.
  3. Once the cook time finishes, carefully release the steam and open the lid.
  4. Use two forks to shred the chicken. Then drain the excess liquid.
  5. Add more BBQ sauce to the chicken to your liking.
  6. Enjoy with vegetables or make a sandwich.

Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

glass meal prep container with shredded instant pot bbq chicken, corn, and broccoli

Meal Prep Tips for Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

  • Use boneless chicken beause they cook quickly and are easy to shred. You won’t have to deal with separating the bones.
  • Double the recipe if you want to freeze extra portions for a later time. Just be sure to label and date the containers.
  • Allow the chicken to cool for a fewminutes before shredding to make it easier to handle so that you don’t burn your hands. You can also use a hand mixer on low speed to shred the meat.
glass meal prep container with shredded instant pot bbq chicken, corn, and broccoli
shredded bbq chicken

Shredded BBQ Chicken with Roasted Broccoli and Corn

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • mixing bowl
  • Instant Pot
  • sheet pan
  • oven

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
  • 1.5 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup red onions (sliced)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Vegetables

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 pieces corn on the cob
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400F
  • Meanwhile, place the chicken in the Instant Pot and pour in chicken broth, half of the BBQ sauce, red onions, and seasonings
  • Seal the lid and set the timer for 35 minutes and cook on the medium setting
  • Next, place the broccoli and corn on a sheet pan and sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Coat it with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes
  • After the chicken cooks, follow the manufacturer's instructions to carefully release the steam and open the lid
  • Drain the chicken broth and use two forks to shred the chicken. Then, pour over the leftover BBQ sauce and mix it all together
  • Serve the shredded chicken with the roasted broccoli and corn
  • optional: Enjoy with a side salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, absolutely, you’ll just have to adjust the cooking time accordingly to make sure it cooks thoroughly, approximately an additional 10 extra minutes per pound when using frozen meats. 


Can I reheat Instant Pot BBQ Chicken in the microwave?

Yes, you can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.


Can I use any type of BBQ Sauce?

Yes, you can use any type of BBQ Sauce. There are many different flavors such as the traditional tangy flavors that is tomato based, smoky bbq sauce that comes from smoked paprika or liquid smoke, spicy bbq sauce that has a kick to it from cayenne pepper, or honey bbq sauce that is sweet from the addition of honey. 

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