Name: Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 8-10 frozen chicken breasts (boneless, skinless); 1 tbsp avocado oil (or your favourite healthy fat); 1/2 red onion (quartered); 1/4 cup tomato paste; 2 cups tomato sauce (or strained tomatoes); 4-5 fresh garlic cloves; 3 tsp cumin; 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (regular paprika works fine, but will lack the smoky BBQ flavour); 3/4 cup coconut palm sugar; 2 tbsp honey; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp molasses; 1 tbsp mustard; 2 tsp real salt; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; 1/2 cup water

This paleo shredded BBQ chicken cooks up quickly in the instant pot without sacrificing the tenderness and depth of flavour.

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So I’ve been a little crazy with the Instant Pot recipes lately, I know. I’m seriously obsessed – like any self-respecting cook-from-scratch, busy, WAHM oughta be. That contraption is the best thing that has happened to me since I discovered my beautiful, darling cast-iron frying pans, and now it has given me instant pot shredded BBQ chicken. #thankyoujesus

There’s a method to my madness, though.

This July I’m doing a 4-week Instant Pot Meal Planning Challenge, and the last few months have been spent getting intimately acquainted with my Instant Pot so that I could turn around and inspire you to do the same. (It’s going to be an awesome month of challenging ourselves to use our Instant Pots more often, so stay tuned for more details on how to join the fun!)

Meanwhile, this instant pot shredded BBQ chicken is over here just chilling in the repertoire of awesomeness, waiting to make its way onto your plate so it can dazzle you with its flavour and ease. It’s the perfect summertime staple, too, because you can serve it on cold biscuits, buns, or even nachos, with a side of veggies and/or salad.

And then you can high five yourself because that’s always a cool-kid thing to do. I should know. *eye roll*

It may seem like a sorta long list of ingredients, but it really only takes a few minutes to throw together. Then, once the sauce is in, the instant pot does all of the real work.

Besides, this is BBQ sauce from scratch, folks. None of that monkey business with the “3-ingredient recipes” that include a bottle of store-bought BBQ sauce. Those have like twenty-five hundred ingredients (many unrecognizable) in them, which really puts a damper on the whole “homemade” thing. Just take five minutes and make it yourself – it tastes better anyway.

If you make it and snap a pic, be sure to tag me on instagram with @redandhoney and #redandhoneyrecipes so I can see the fruits of your labour!

Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken

This paleo shredded BBQ chicken cooks up quickly in the instant pot without sacrificing the tenderness and depth of flavour.

4 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 380kcal

Author: Beth Ricci

Ingredients

8-10 frozen chicken breasts boneless, skinless
1 tbsp avocado oil or your favourite healthy fat
1/2 red onion quartered
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 cups tomato sauce or strained tomatoes
4-5 fresh garlic cloves
3 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp smoked paprika regular paprika works fine, but will lack the smoky BBQ flavour
3/4 cup coconut palm sugar
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp mustard
2 tsp real salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Add chicken breasts to the instant pot
2. Combine all other ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth to make BBQ sauce
3. Pour sauce over chicken and stir to coat evenly
4. Set instant pot to 40 minutes on manual mode and allow for NPR
5. Shred chicken with a fork, and serve

Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @redandhoney and use #redandhoney

Nutrition

13 Comments

Kim
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I just got my Instant Pot yesterday, and am so excited to try this recipe very soon. My husband absolutely loves bbq shredded chicken and this will allow me to make it without all the work I usually have to put into making pulled pork or shredded BBQ chicken. Thank you, I will definitely be checking here for recipes in the future! Thank you!

reply to this comment
- R&H Assistant
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  Thanks for stopping by, Kim! Enjoy your Instant Pot! 😀
  
  reply to this comment
Carrie
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I just found your website, and I am so happy I did! I recently purchased an IP on Amazon Prime day, and have been scouring the internet for recipes, but have found it difficult to find “whole food” type meals (i.e. does not contain cream of mushroom soup). Thank you for being all about wellness, and for putting your thoughts into a blog. I can’t wait to binge on your blog (that’s not a creepy thing to say right?). I really appreciate this recipe! I needed something to throw together for a last-minute dinner for friends, and I really need to go grocery shopping and frozen chicken and bbq sauce is basically all I have to work with 🙂

reply to this comment
- R&H Assistant
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  I’m so glad this recipe was helpful! The Instant Pot is a truly wonderful invention, isn’t it? Binge away! 😀
  
  reply to this comment
Keli E Shapiro
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I made this last night. Chicken was tough and dry. The sauce was great the chicken was not. Any suggestions?

reply to this comment
- Beth
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  Hi Keli! Sorry it didn’t turn out well for you. It’s actually really hard to make dry and tough meat in the instant pot because it cooks with the moisture of the liquid pressurized inside, so I’m wondering if maybe your instant pot wasn’t working correctly? Was your sealing valve closed? Also, did you coat the chicken in the sauce before cooking?
  
  reply to this comment
Anna
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Hi there! Would love to try this and was wondering about how many pounds of chicken you used. Also, could you use fresh? Thanks so much 🙂

reply to this comment
- R&H Assistant
  at
  
  Hi Anna!
  8-10 boneless, skinless chicken breasts will usually weigh 3-4 pounds. I bet fresh chicken would work great, but it would change the cooking time. InstantPot has cooking times on their site here.
  
  reply to this comment
  - Anna
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    Great, thank you so much!! Gonna try this out this week. =)
    
    reply to this comment
    - Elaine Graham
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      Bought my pot a few months ago but stuck just making same receipts.
      That was until I discovered your site today. Thank you for sharing all your
      Knowledge with me. Can’t wait to try this receipe
      
      reply to this comment
      - Beth
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        I hope you love it!! 🙂
        
        reply to this comment

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Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo)