Get ready for effortless flavor-bursting comfort food—these Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders deliver fork-tender chicken bathed in sweet, smoky sauce, all tucked into pillowy slider buns for the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether you need a fast family dinner, party snack, or game-day treat, this recipe keeps things easy without sacrificing one ounce of bold taste!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast and Easy: Just 20 minutes from freezer to table, your Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting—no thawing required.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders make the ultimate party snack—tender, saucy, and built for sharing.
- Naturally Crowd-Pleasing: The irresistible combo of juicy chicken and sweet-smoky BBQ sauce pleases both picky kids and grown-up tastebuds alike.
- Customizable Toppings: Go classic or get creative—these sliders are a blank canvas for your favorite crunchy slaws or zesty pickles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Believe it or not, you only need a handful of kitchen staples to whip up these Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders. Each simple ingredient plays a key role in delivering that signature balance of flavor and comfort that makes these sliders so addictive!
- Chicken Breasts (frozen): One of the best parts? You don’t even need to thaw them—just pop them right into the Instant Pot for ridiculously juicy results.
- Water: Essential for pressure cooking; it keeps the chicken moist and prevents any burning.
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: Choose a sauce you genuinely love—whether it’s smoky, sweet, tangy, or spicy, BBQ sauce is the heart of the dish.
- Melted Butter: Brushed onto the buns, it adds richness and helps those slider tops turn gorgeously golden and flavorful.
- Kosher Salt: Sprinkled on to enhance every other flavor—don’t skip this finishing touch!
- Freshly Cracked Pepper: A quick grind wakes everything up and adds a hint of peppery warmth—perfect with BBQ flavors.
- Slider Buns: Soft, pillowy buns hold that saucy, shredded chicken—mini brioche, Hawaiian rolls, or classic potato buns all work wonderfully.
Variations
What I love most about Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders is how endlessly adaptable they are. Feel free to get playful with add-ins, swap out sauces, or make them work for any crowd or dietary needs—your sliders, your rules!
- Spicy Twist: Stir a spoonful of chipotles in adobo sauce or sriracha into your BBQ sauce for sliders with a kick.
- Low-Carb Version: Serve the BBQ chicken over lettuce wraps or stuffed in mini bell peppers for a lighter take.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the butter or use a plant-based spread—your sliders will still be incredibly saucy and delicious.
- Pulled Pork Variation: Swap chicken for pork loin or shoulder and increase the cooking time, for classic BBQ pork sliders with the same easy method.
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Add Chicken and Water to Instant Pot
Start by placing your frozen chicken breasts directly into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Pour in one cup of water—this not only prevents sticking, but gives you ultra-moist chicken that’s ready for shredding. No defrosting needed, and no extra dishes, either!
Step 2: Pressure Cook That Chicken
Secure the lid and make sure the steam valve is set to “sealing.” Hit the Manual (or Pressure Cook) button, set the timer for 15 minutes, and let your Instant Pot work its magic. The chicken will cook perfectly every time—tender, juicy, and ready to soak up all that BBQ goodness.
Step 3: Quick Release and Shred
Once the timer beeps, carefully switch the steam valve to “venting” to release pressure quickly. When it’s safe, open the lid, drain off any extra water, and use two forks to shred the chicken right in the pot. It practically falls apart!
Step 4: Sauce It Up
Add your chosen BBQ sauce straight to the shredded chicken and stir until everything is coated in that tangy, vibrant flavor. Let it sit for a minute or two so the chicken really absorbs all those saucy juices.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Brush the tops of your slider buns with melted butter, then arrange the saucy chicken on each bottom bun. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper for extra punch. Add your favorite toppings, pop the lids on, and get ready to serve up smiles!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders
- No-Thaw, No Problem: For perfectly shredded chicken, use frozen breasts straight from the freezer—just make sure they aren’t stuck together for even cooking.
- Sauce Matters: Use a BBQ sauce you’d gladly eat by the spoonful, and don’t be stingy—more sauce equals juicier sliders.
- Slider Toasting Hack: For extra flavor and structural integrity, toast the butter-brushed buns in a hot skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Shred and sauce your chicken up to 2 days ahead—just reheat gently when ready to assemble for stress-free entertaining.
How to Serve Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders
Garnishes
Classic coleslaw is a favorite topper, lending crunch and creaminess that plays perfectly with the saucy chicken. For a fresh bite, try thinly sliced red onions, crisp pickle chips, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. You could even add a slice of cheddar or pepper jack for a melty cheese twist!
Side Dishes
Pair your Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders with baked beans, a heap of potato salad, corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. For game day, nothing beats kettle-cooked chips or a tray of crunchy veggie sticks alongside your sliders.
Creative Ways to Present
Party time? Arrange the sliders on a big board with bowls of different garnishes so guests can build their own. For a fun family night, let everyone “build their own slider” with a toppings bar. Or try mini slider skewers—stack a slider, a pickle, and a chunk of cheese on a toothpick for the cutest grab-and-go bites ever!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chill any leftover shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container—the flavors deepen beautifully overnight. It will stay fresh and tasty for 3–4 days in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or weekday lunches!
Freezing
The cooked, sauced chicken freezes like a dream. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer bags or containers. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months—simply thaw in the fridge before reheating to relive slider night anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm your BBQ chicken in a saucepan over medium-low, adding a splash of extra sauce if needed. In a pinch, you can microwave it in short bursts, stirring between each interval. Assemble fresh sliders and enjoy as if they were just made!
FAQs
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Can I use fresh chicken breasts instead of frozen?
Absolutely! If using fresh (unfrozen) chicken breasts, reduce the Instant Pot cooking time to 8–10 minutes. Everything else stays the same, and your Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders will still be incredibly tender and juicy.
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What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
The easiest method is using two forks right in the Instant Pot—just pull the breasts apart until shredded. If you want to save time, you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for extra speedy shredding!
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Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
Yes! You can double or even triple this recipe with a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot. Make sure not to fill past the max line, and add a bit of extra cooking time if needed for larger quantities. The results are just as delicious and totally party-approved!
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Do the Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders get soggy if made ahead?
Assemble the sliders right before serving for the freshest texture. You can prep and store the saucy chicken ahead of time, then quickly warm and build your sliders for the perfect bite every time without soggy buns.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something quick, comforting, and absolutely irresistible, these Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders are calling your name. Give them a try—your family and friends will love every saucy, bite-sized morsel. I promise, one batch will never be enough!
Print
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 Sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick meal or party appetizer. Tender shredded chicken coated in tangy BBQ sauce, served on soft slider buns with a hint of buttery goodness.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 Chicken Breasts, Frozen
- 1 cup Water
- 2 cups Favorite BBQ Sauce
- 2 TBSP Butter, Melted
- Kosher Salt
- Pepper, Freshly Cracked
Instructions
- Place chicken breast in the Instant Pot. Add one cup of water.
- Lock the lid in place and close the steam valve. Push the Manual button and set the time for 15 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked, switch the steam valve to open and let all the steam escape. Drain off any water and shred the chicken with two forks.
- Stir in BBQ sauce and serve on slider buns with favorite toppings. Brush each bun with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slider
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
