Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Chicken–with only 4 ingredients this chicken is super fast and easy! It is a dump and go recipe that takes minimal effort. It has amazing flavor because of the Dr. Pepper and Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce.
Note: this recipe can also be made in the SLOW COOKER, the instructions are listed in the recipe card below.
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Chicken
I was shocked at how yummy this chicken and sauce were! I am not a fan of sweet meat but this wasn’t over the top sweet. It had really good flavor and there was no leftovers!
- Try serving this chicken on buns or rolls like a sandwich. Add a slice of cheese and melt under the oven’s broiler. For a bonus add a couple slices of crispy bacon.
- You can also serve the chicken pieces whole instead of shredding. It’s a personal preference.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s is my favorite BBQ sauce. If you have a different favorite try using that.
- For a lower sugar version of this recipe use a low sugar BBQ sauce and Diet Dr. Pepper.
- I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they turn out more moist and tender in the Instant Pot and slow cooker. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Use the same times listed in the recipe below or for a more accurate cooking time use the chicken breast formula. Chicken thighs shrink down a lot whereas breasts don’t as much. So you may want to use only 2 pounds of meat if using chicken breasts.
- Frozen chicken pieces also work with this recipe. I used frozen thighs and they worked well. I like buying frozen boneless, skinless thighs in the big bags at Costco for around $2 a pound.
- The sauce is so tasty you may want to experiment using it with other types of meat like shredded beef or pulled pork.
- I haven’t tried this with other types of cola like Coke or Pepsi but I’m assuming it would work. It will have a slightly different taste profile.
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes…
Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Chicken
Instant Pot Mexican Queso Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Tim McGraw’s Chicken and Dumplings
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Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
With only 4 ingredients this chicken is super fast and easy! It has amazing flavor because of the Dr. Pepper and Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dr. Pepper, divided
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 cups Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce
- 1/8 tsp garlic salt
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Pour 1 cup of Dr. Pepper into bottom of Instant Pot.
- Add chicken into bottom of Instant Pot.
- In a bowl whisk together 1 cup of Dr. Pepper and 2 cups of BBQ sauce. Pour half of the mixture over the chicken and save the other half for later.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes for fresh chicken or 15 minutes for frozen chicken. When the time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Use tongs to remove the chicken pieces and place on a cutting board. Shred the chicken.
- Place the chicken in a clean bowl. Sprinkle in the garlic salt. Drizzle in the remaining BBQ sauce mixture. Toss well. If it is a little dry add in some of the liquid from the Instant Pot.
- Serve and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Pour 1 cup of Dr. Pepper into bottom of slow cooker.
- Add chicken into bottom of slow cooker.
- In a bowl whisk together 1 cup of Dr. Pepper and 2 cups of BBQ sauce. Pour half of the mixture over the chicken and save the other half for later.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Use tongs to remove the chicken pieces and place on a cutting board. Shred the chicken.
- Place the chicken in a clean bowl. Sprinkle in the garlic salt. Drizzle in the remaining BBQ sauce mixture. Toss well. If it is a little dry add in some of the liquid from the slow cooker.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can also make this in your 8 quart pot. Halve in the 3 quart pot.
I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they turn out more moist and tender in the Instant Pot and slow cooker. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Use the same times listed in the recipe below or for a more accurate cooking time use the chicken breast formula.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
It was very easy and very good. I used mostly thighs and some breasts. It didn’t need any additional liquid at the end. It was good topped with homemade dill pickles.
★★★★★
homemade pickles mmmmmmmm
This recipe sounds delicious. Can I substitute chicken breasts for thighs and would that change the cooking time?
Thanks for the great recipes
★★★★★
Yes you can! Keep same time.
Could I double this? 2/3lbs of thighs never makes enough for leftovers at this house!
Yes you can! Double chicken keep sauce the same…or you can also double sauce. It’s up to you.
Sugar free DP & sugar free bbq sauce. I used frozen chicken thighs….oh my gosh! Absolutely delish! And so freakin’ easy! Thank you!!
★★★★★
You’re so welcome!
I made this with Diet Dr. Pepper and it was so good. I had this with your Pandora Express Chow Mein the flavor together was delicious
Thanks Karen
★★★★★
Oh awesome that diet tasted good! Thanks for the info!
Family loved this bbq chicken making it again today!!
Woo hoo! Love it when the recipe is a repeater!
Substitute root beer?
Sure you could try that!
I have used root beer with both pork& chicken for years. Very good base for BBQ sandwiches
Could you make this with Diet Dr Pepper?
Thanks – Heather
She says in the post that you can use Diet DP and low sugar Baby Ray’s if you want it more healthy.
Yes you can!