Instant Pot BBQ chicken sandwiches recipe has become a staple in our household! It is an extremely budget-friendly dinner recipe that is super quick to get started.
Whoever made the first pressure cooker knew what they were doing and they have come a long way since. I use an Instant Pot recipe at least once a week if not more. Just like this Instant Pot chicken recipe, you can make a delicious dinner in no time.
Soon enough this will be a recipe you make at least once a month, but probably more. Let’s be real, I am all about making dinner time easy, and this recipe is just that. Easy, simple, and DELICIOUS!
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our Instant Pot barbecue chicken sandwiches, you need the following ingredients:
- Onion
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion powder
- Chicken broth (water can do as well)
- BBQ sauce
- Hamburger buns
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Our Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Begin by placing the sliced onions in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Place chicken breasts on top of the sliced onions.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sprinkle the seasonings on top of the chicken breasts.
- Pour the chicken broth as close to the side of the bowl as possible to try and avoid washing the seasonings off of the chicken.
- Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce over top of the seasoned chicken breast.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, secure it, and turn the valve to the SEALING position.
- To get it started, press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK and set the timer for 20 minutes
- After the timer runs out, let the Instant Pot natural release for 5 minutes and then turn the valve to the VENTING position to release the remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and take the chicken out to shred it. You can use two forks or throw it into your stand mixer with a paddle attachment to speed things up a bit.
- Once all of the chicken is shredded, add it back into the Instant Pot and stir it into the remaining juices.
- Serve it on some hamburger buns, pour a little more BBQ sauce, and any of your other favorite toppings!
Recipe Notes
Have you ever made your own hamburger buns? They aren’t always the easiest, but they can take a burger or sandwich to the next level.If you want to try it out, take a look at this 40-minute hamburger buns recipe from Taste of Home and taste the difference for yourself!
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sandwiches:
One of our favorite things to pair with these sandwiches (either on the side or right on top), is our Easy Apple Slaw. It adds the perfect sweet, tangy crunch to the savory, saucy chicken. We also love adding a big ol’ potato salad or macaroni salad with it, too.
Enjoy More Delicious Chicken Main Dishes
Chicken is an all-time favorite for weeknight dinners, but so many of us end up making the same few dishes over and over again. Explore our comprehensive collection of chicken recipes.
- Cheesy Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Sausage Stir Fry
- Crispy Fried Chicken
- Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
- Juicy Baked Chicken Legs
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Chicken Sausage
- Sheet Pan Honey Lemon Chicken and Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Chili Lime Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup chicken broth, or water
- 1½ cups BBQ Sauce, divided
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Place sliced onions in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Place chicken breasts on top of the onions.
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle on top of chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth on the side of the chicken (try to not wash off any of the seasonings you just topped with chicken with.
- Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce on top of the chicken.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, press the MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) button and set the timer for 20 minutes.
- When the timer is done, let the pressure do a NATURAL RELEASE for 5 minutes. Then move the valve from sealing to VENTING and let the rest of the pressure release.
- Remove chicken from Instant Pot and shred using 2 forks (it should fall apart fairly easily). Place shredded chicken back in the Instant Pot with all the juices and stir together.
- Serve over hamburger buns and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
I’m making this recipe for lunch today, so please respond ASAP. Should the Pressure Cook button be set for 20 minutes on Hi or Lo???
Made this for the first time tonight and it was delish!!! Loved loved loved it!!! It was easy and quick-I used pillsbury grands instead of hamburger buns. Will definitely be making this again! Thank you!
Has anyone ever doubled this recipe? How did that go?
DELICIOUS! Definitely going in the recipe binder.
How would I convert to make in a slow cooker?
This could easily be adapted to the slow cooker. Just add it all in and cook on low for about 6-7 hours. Here is another recipe that is similar and so delicious – https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/slow-cooker-cheesy-bbq-chicken-bacon/
What would we need to do in order to double this recipe?
Be sure to use the biggest Instant Pot to have room for all of the chicken.
Can the chicken be frozen?
You can easily freeze the leftovers with this recipe.
I loved this recipe so much! My chicken was slight frozen and I had a lot of juice but it wasn’t dry. I will try again with thawed out chicken and same liquid to see if it comes out less juice. Also, since it was partially frozen I P.C. 22 minutes on H. And a NR after 6/7 minutes only because I was busy and didn’t hear the alarm go off. Lol. I took pictures and even made homemade BBQ sauce because I didn’t have any last night to make this recipe. But overall, it was delicious and I will be making it again for sure!!!! Thank you
I think the other 1/2 c bbq sauce goes in after shredding? It’s in the instant pot right now. Can’t wait!!
This was delicious! I got lots of compliments! The chicken was tender. I was worried it would be dry. I and saving this recipe!
This recipe is so good! I have made it several times. Can this be a freezer meal? It would lose the layering in a freezer bag. What about the cooking time from frozen? Thank you!
Why not pour the liquid in before adding the seasonings? Then you don’t have to worry about washing the seasonings off