Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Instant Pot recipe is a tender and fall-apart recipe, which is made with chicken thighs and chicken breast. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 45 minutes.
Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Instant Pot Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken stock or water
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup grated onion plus juice
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
How To Make Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Instant Pot
- Layer the ingredients: Pour the chicken stock or water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add the chicken pieces, then sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken, then add the grated onion, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce on top. Do not stir.
- Pressure cook the chicken: Secure the lid, ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Release pressure and shred: Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, perform a quick release to vent the remaining pressure. Remove the cooked chicken to a bowl and shred it with two forks.
- Thicken the sauce and serve: If the sauce in the pot is too thin, press the “Sauté” button and let it simmer, stirring often, until it has thickened to your liking. Return the shredded chicken to the thickened sauce and stir to combine. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent the Instant Pot “burn” notice? The most crucial step is to layer the ingredients as instructed, with the thin chicken stock on the bottom and the thick BBQ sauce on top. Do not stir before cooking. This prevents the thick sauce from scorching.
- Can I use only chicken breasts or thighs? Yes, you can use 3 lbs of all chicken breasts or all chicken thighs. If using only breasts, the 10-minute natural release is very important to keep them from drying out.
- How to get a thicker sauce? The final step of reducing the sauce on the “Sauté” setting is key. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, and it will thicken up beautifully.
- Can I cook the chicken from frozen? Yes. If your chicken pieces are frozen, increase the pressure cooking time to 25 minutes, followed by the same 10-minute natural release.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken
This versatile shredded BBQ chicken is perfect for a variety of meals.
- Sandwiches: Pile it high on brioche or hamburger buns and top with coleslaw.
- Salads: Serve it warm over a bed of crisp greens with corn, black beans, and ranch dressing.
- BBQ Plates: Serve alongside classic sides like macaroni and cheese, cornbread, or potato salad.
- Tacos and Nachos: Use it as a delicious filling for tacos or as a topping for sheet pan nachos.
How To Store BBQ Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: This shredded chicken freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
BBQ Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8th of recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why did my Instant Pot give a u0022burnu0022 error?
This usually happens when thick sauces are in direct contact with the bottom of the pot. The updated instructions for this recipe, which involve layering the thin liquid on the bottom and not stirring, are specifically designed to prevent this issue.
Can I use my favorite homemade BBQ sauce?
Of course! Any BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought, will work perfectly in this recipe.
Is the natural release step necessary?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Letting the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes helps the chicken stay tender and juicy. A full quick release can sometimes result in tougher meat.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Barbecue Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Instant Pot Recipe
Description
Sweet, smoky, and incredibly tender shredded BBQ chicken made effortlessly in the Instant Pot, perfect for easy sandwiches, salads, and more.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Layer ingredients in the Instant Pot: stock, chicken, seasonings, BBQ sauce, onion, sugar, Worcestershire. Do not stir.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- Remove chicken and shred it.
- Thicken the remaining sauce in the pot using the u0022Sautéu0022 function.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to coat.
Notes
- u003cliu003eNot stirring the ingredients before cooking is the most important step to prevent a u0022burnu0022 notice.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe combination of chicken thighs and breasts provides a perfect balance of flavor and lean meat.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t skip the final step of reducing the sauce; it concentrates the flavor and creates a much better consistency.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis recipe is perfect for meal prep and batch cooking.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Instant Pot Recipe
