BBQ chicken shredded in a bowl
Craving a taste of home-style comfort food that’s both quick and delicious? Look no further than these Pioneer Woman inspired Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs! This recipe brings the hearty, flavorful essence of Pioneer Woman’s cooking right to your kitchen, but with the speed and convenience of your Instant Pot. Get ready for incredibly tender, fall-apart chicken thighs smothered in your favorite BBQ sauce, perfect for a weeknight family dinner or a casual weekend gathering.
close up shot of bbq chicken in instant pot
Why choose Instant Pot chicken thighs? Chicken thighs are naturally more flavorful and moist than chicken breasts, making them ideal for BBQ dishes where you want that melt-in-your-mouth texture. And when cooked in the Instant Pot, they become unbelievably tender in a fraction of the time compared to slow cooking or oven baking. This recipe simplifies everything, making it perfect for busy cooks who don’t want to compromise on taste or quality.
This Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it piled high on buns for classic BBQ chicken sandwiches, toss it into a vibrant salad for a protein-packed lunch, or create a comforting BBQ chicken plate with your favorite sides like coleslaw and cornbread. Meal prepping for the week? This chicken is your new best friend!
Simple Ingredients for Flavorful Chicken
This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with simple pantry staples and, of course, juicy chicken thighs. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for this recipe for their rich flavor and quick cooking time. You can use bone-in, skin-on thighs, but cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- Chicken Broth or Water: A liquid base is essential for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and ensures the chicken stays moist.
- Flavorful Spices: Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika create a delicious dry rub that infuses the chicken with savory depth.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness that complements the smoky BBQ sauce perfectly.
- Grated Onion: Freshly grated onion adds moisture and a subtle pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This umami-rich sauce adds complexity and depth to the BBQ flavor profile.
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: The star of the show! Choose a BBQ sauce that you and your family love. Sweet, smoky, tangy – the choice is yours!
bbq chicken served on bun with coleslaw
Easy Steps to Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thigh Perfection
Making Pioneer Woman style Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs is surprisingly easy. Just follow these four simple steps:
- Layer Ingredients in the Instant Pot: Pour chicken broth (or water) into the bottom of your Instant Pot. This prevents the dreaded “burn” notice. Next, add the chicken thighs, followed by onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, BBQ sauce, grated onion, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Do not stir! Keeping the liquid at the bottom is crucial for proper pressure cooking.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to “sealing.” Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high pressure and set the cook time for 15 minutes.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes after cooking. Then, perform a quick release to vent any remaining pressure.
- Shred and Thicken Sauce (Optional): Remove the cooked chicken thighs and shred them using two forks. If you prefer a thicker sauce, press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and simmer the liquid, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and toss to coat in the delicious BBQ sauce.
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, consider browning the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot using the “Sauté” function before pressure cooking. This adds an extra layer of depth, but is optional for a super quick meal.
overhead shot of bbq chicken in instant pot with white background
Serving Suggestions for Your BBQ Chicken Thighs
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility! Here are a few serving ideas to get you started:
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches: Pile the shredded chicken high on toasted buns with coleslaw and your favorite toppings for a classic BBQ sandwich.
- BBQ Chicken Salad: Create a hearty and flavorful salad with romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, ranch dressing, and of course, your delicious BBQ chicken thighs.
- BBQ Chicken Plates: Serve alongside your favorite BBQ sides like mac and cheese, potato salad, cornbread, baked beans, or grilled vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
- BBQ Chicken Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with BBQ chicken, cheese, jalapenos, and all your favorite nacho toppings for a fun and crowd-pleasing appetizer or dinner.
image for pinterest – overhead shot of bbq chicken in instant pot with white background
Expert Tips for the Best Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Don’t Skip the Liquid: The chicken broth or water is essential for the Instant Pot to function correctly and prevent burning.
- Choose Quality BBQ Sauce: The flavor of your BBQ chicken is heavily influenced by the BBQ sauce you use. Experiment with different brands and flavors to find your perfect match.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet BBQ chicken, reduce the amount of brown sugar or choose a BBQ sauce that is less sweet.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and gluten-free BBQ sauce to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce is a readily available gluten-free option.
- Chicken Breast Option: While chicken thighs are highly recommended for their moisture and flavor, you can substitute with chicken breasts. Reduce the cooking time to 10-12 minutes for chicken breasts to prevent them from drying out.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes to Explore
Looking for more quick and delicious Instant Pot meals? Check out these other family-friendly recipes:
chicken and rice in white bowl with fork topped with cheese
Instant Pot Southwestern Chicken and Rice
close up of sausage lentil soup being scooped with ladle
Sausage Lentil Soup
overhead shot of chicken, broccoli, and rice on white plates topped with chips and cheese
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice
gluten-free chili in white bowl topped with sour cream and cheese
Gluten-Free Chili
Enjoy this Pioneer Woman inspired Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to leave a comment and rating below if you try it – I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
