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2 ingredient instant pot bbq chicken recipe
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2 Ingredient Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

This 2 Ingredient Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe is perfect for a quick family dinner. The tender shredded chicken meat is packed with barbecue flavor. It is delicious on sandwiches, tacos, salads, or for meal prepping.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword BBQ, Chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs. chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot (this helps make sure the Instant Pot comes to pressure without burning the chicken or triggering a burn notice). Place the chicken thighs on top of the water. Next, sprinkle the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. Finally, add half a cup of the barbecue sauce on top of the chicken.
  • Secure the lid to the Instant Pot. Select “Manual” and a cook time of 15 minutes. Make sure the valve is set to “Sealing”. Start the pressure cooker.
  • Once the cook time is done, manually release the pressure from the Instant Pot or let it naturally release. Next, remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and either hand shred by using two forks to pull the meat apart or with an automatic hand mixer in a bowl.
  • While the chicken is removed from the Instant Pot, select the “Saute” function. Let the remaining liquid boil down for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning.
  • Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and stir in the reaming ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
  • Serve the shredded chicken on a sandwich bun, over a salad, in a taco, or in another creative way.

Notes

It is important to add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. An Instant Pot or other pressure cooker has to have enough water to come to pressure to prevent burning and to cook properly. You may find that there is even more liquid in the Instant Pot once the chicken is done cooking. The chicken will naturally release some water. You can drain some of this liquid before using the "Satue" function to thicken the remaining liquid.