These BBQ pulled chicken tacos are perfect to serve on a weeknight dinner or take to a potluck, they are so delicious you can even make them for a party! Best of all? They are super easy and quick to make and only use ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Tacos are one of those meals everyone loves, seriously, even the pickiest of eaters will love some tacos. The other great thing about them? You can customize it to fit what you like and have on hand.
That’s what I love about making them for a weeknight dinner, there’s probably no need to do a quick visit to the grocery store to load up on things to make them, just check your pantry and fridge and you’ll probably find everything you need to put some delicious, warm tacos on the table.

How easy are these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos?
Lately, I’ve been on a BBQ kick so when I realized I only had chicken for our taco night I went with it and made some BBQ pulled chicken in the InstantPot. You can also make it in a slow cooker and if you don’t mind being a bit more present when cooking you can even make it on the stovetop.
The process is super simple and you only need a handful of ingredients: chicken breasts, seasoning, BBQ sauce, a bit of tomato paste, and chicken broth. However, if you have some, a splash of beer will totally amps up the flavor of the BBQ sauce and spices. Then just place everything into your InstantPot and voila in around 15 minutes, and a quick release of pressure, and your BBQ pulled chicken will be ready to serve.
These BBQ pulled chicken tacos are perfect to serve on a weeknight dinner or take to a potluck, they are so delicious you can even make them for a party! #tacos #instantpot #bbqchicken #chickentacos #mexicanfood #taconightCan I use frozen chicken breasts for these Instant Pot chicken tacos?
Absolutely! You can use either thawed or frozen chicken breasts the same way. If using frozen chicken breasts, there will be a few more minutes added on to the time needed to get up to pressure. The cooking time in your pressure will need to have 5 minutes added to it as well.
Do I have to use an InstantPot or other pressure cooker?
If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can certainly make these in a slow cooker, or on the stove top.
Slow cooker: add all ingredients and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or high for 2-3 hours. Shred chicken and proceed as directed.
Stove top: Cook the chicken in a large pan with the broth, bbq sauce, and seasonings on low for 1 hour. Shred chicken, add remaining ingredients, and proceed as directed.
Other Recipes To Try
How to warm corn tortillas for your bbq chicken tacos.
After the protein, the second most important thing about delicious tacos is the tortilla. Your corn tortilla should be warm before serving it. Here are two ways to do it:
The long way: Grilling each one in a skillet right before serving so the borders are slightly charred.
The shortcut: Wrapping all your corn tortillas in aluminum foil and placing it in the oven at 400 degrees for around 12 minutes while you are cooking the chicken. Sure, you don’t get those charred corners but it saves so much time, I don’t mind.

What toppings use for your shredded chicken tacos:
Use whatever you have on hand! The chicken is so juicy and flavorful you can even skip toppings altogether if you don’t have anything on hand. I honestly prefer to keep things simple and only use avocado, cilantro, a good squeeze of lemon juice and a quick avocado cilantro mayo. But feel free to play with them as much as you like.
Love cheese? Add some. Prefer your tacos to be loaded with beans and rice? Bring it on.
Serving them for a party? Make a taco table! Just place all the toppings in small bowls, keep the chicken warm in your Instant Pot and the tortillas tightly wrapped in a cloth and let your guests customize their tacos.
How do I make the avocado cilantro mayo?
What you need:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 avocado
- 2-3 Tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon fresh or bottled
- lime juice
- pinch of salt
Mix all the ingredients together until as smooth as you like, then use on your BBQ pulled chicken tacos!
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup chicken stock (can use beer if desired)
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon oregano
- ½ Tablespoon paprika
- ¼ Tablespoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortillas
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Avocado cilantro mayo, or sour cream as desired
- Lemon juice
How to make your chicken tacos
- Place chicken, stock, tomato paste, spices and ½ cup BBQ sauce into the InstantPot.
- Close the lid and valve and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Manually release steam and open.
- With the help of two forks shred the chicken.
- Add the rest of the BBQ sauce and mix until the chicken is well coated.
- Assemble the tacos. Top a warm corn tortilla with BBQ pulled chicken, add some avocado slices, chopped cilantro a quick avocado cilantro mayo and finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice.
What is your favorite dish for taco night? Will you try these BBQ Pulled Chicken Tacos?

BBQ Pulled Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup chicken stock (can use beer if desired)
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon oregano
- ½ Tablespoon paprika
- ¼ Tablespoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortillas
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Avocado cilantro mayo
- Lemon juice
Instructions
- Place chicken, stock, tomato paste, spices and ½ cup BBQ sauce into the InstantPot.
- Close the lid and valve and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Manually release steam and open.
- With the help of two forks shred the chicken.
- Add the rest of the BBQ sauce and mix until the chicken is well coated.
- Assemble the tacos. Top a warm corn tortilla with BBQ pulled chicken, add some avocado slices, chopped cilantro a quick avocado cilantro mayo and finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
You can use an equal amount of bee instead of stock, if desired.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Primal Kitchen 3 Pack Organic and Unsweetned Barbeque & Steak Sauce - Whole 30 Approved, Keto, Paleo Friendly - Includes: Classic BBQ, Golden BBQ, and Steak Sauce
-
Simply Organic, Cumin, 2.31 oz
-
Simply Organic Pepper, Black Medium Grind Certified Organic, 2.31 Ounce Container
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REDMOND Real Sea Salt - Natural Unrefined Organic Gluten Free Fine, 26 ounce pouch (1 Pack)
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Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
-
McCormick Garlic Powder, 8.75 oz
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 913Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 107mgSodium 1611mgCarbohydrates 90gFiber 19gSugar 41gProtein 49g
While I do my best to make sure these numbers are accurate, please be your own best advocate and double check! Thanks
That cilantro mayo sounds divine!
These tacos look so good! Awesome that I can make it in the instant pot!
Those are gorgeous! My mouth is watering. I love that they’re from the Instant Pot, too. So easy. 🙂
So tender and delicious! And easy to make, too!!
We love taco night in our house! I haven’t added BBQ to my protein for it yet, but now I definitely will!
I love that there is so much flavor added to such a simple recipe!
Having shredded chicken on hand means tacos are ready in just minutes — brilliant recipe!
This was so tasty on Taco Tuesday and I love that I can use my Instant Pot!