If you love the flavor of Dr Pepper then you are going to love this quick and easy Instant Pot Dr Pepper Chicken recipe. Whether you’re looking for a different taste for your chicken and rice dish or you fancy Dr Pepper chicken on a roll, this Dr Pepper chicken recipe is sure to go down well with the whole family.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Surprisingly Delicious: The Dr Pepper chicken imparts a unique, sweet and tangy flavor to the chicken.
- Effortless Cooking: Utilize your Instant Pot for a hands-off, foolproof marinating process.
- Versatile Dish: Serve Dr Pepper Chicken as a main dish or use in salads, wraps, or tacos.
📋 Ingredients
There are a few key ingredients that go into making a great Dr Pepper chicken recipe in the instant pot.
- Skinless Chicken Thighs (Or Chicken Breasts): The main protein of the dish. Thighs are typically juicier and more flavorful, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Sweet BBQ Sauce: Adds a tangy sweetness that pairs well with the savory chicken and the unique flavor of Dr Pepper.
- Dr Pepper: Adds a unique depth of flavor to the marinade - its caramel notes and slight fruitiness complement the BBQ sauce and enhance the overall taste of the chicken.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Soda Substitutes: Experiment with similar cola-based sodas like Coca-Cola or Pepsi for a different sweetness and caramel note, or try mixing cola with a splash of Dr Pepper to balance the flavors.
- Enhanced Aromatics: Boost the marinade by adding minced garlic, chopped onions, or a touch of ginger. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can also elevate the overall flavor profile when pressure-cooking.
- Acidic Twist: Incorporate a bit of acidity—such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice—to cut through the sweetness and tenderize the meat further, adding a tangy balance to the marinade.
- Protein Adaptations: While designed for chicken, this marinade works well with pork chops, turkey cutlets, or even ribs. Adjust the cooking time in the Instant Pot accordingly for your chosen protein.
🔪How To Make Dr Pepper Chicken Marinade In Advance
- Step 1: To make the marinade, simply pour a half cup of Dr Pepper into a bowl. Combine with BBQ sauce and stir,
- Step 2: Add your skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast into the Dr Pepper marinade and refrigerate for two hours. You can skip this step if you're in a hurry or using frozen chicken pieces.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Dr Pepper Chicken
- Step 1: Pour ¼ cup of Dr Pepper into the Instant Pot. Place the marinated chicken thighs over the Dr Pepper liquid and stir with a wooden spoon. Pressure cook for 20 minutes and naturally release for 10 minutes. Shred the chicken in a bowl.
- Step 2: Add about 1 Cup of the sauce from the bottom of the Instant Pot to the shredded chicken, coating the chicken but not making it soupy. Serve with baked potatoes, buns, sliders, or with a side salad.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Combine Dr Pepper, minced garlic, a splash of apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and your favorite dried herbs. Let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse.
- Balance Sweetness with Acidity: The natural sweetness of Dr Pepper is beautifully balanced with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. This contrast helps tenderize the chicken while adding complexity to the marinade.
- Preheat and Sauté: Use the Instant Pot’s sauté function to lightly brown the marinated chicken. This step not only develops a rich caramelization but also locks in the flavors before pressure cooking.
- Deglaze for Richness: After browning, deglaze the pot with a bit more Dr Pepper or chicken broth. This ensures you capture all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom, enhancing the overall depth of your dish.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Lock in the flavors by cooking the chicken on high pressure for about 8–10 minutes, depending on the cut. A natural release method helps retain moisture, resulting in tender and juicy chicken.
- Optional Sauce Reduction: For a thicker, more concentrated sauce, remove the chicken after pressure cooking and set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode. Let the remaining liquid simmer until it reduces to your desired consistency, then drizzle over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
- Finish with a Fresh Touch: Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions just before serving to add a vibrant, fresh note that complements the rich, savory-sweet marinade.
💭 FAQs
In a nutshell, Dr Pepper BBQ chicken is chicken that has been marinated in Dr Pepper, then cooked in the Instant Pot or crockpot until tender and juicy. The result is a delicious taste of barbecue chicken with a hint of sweetness from Dr Pepper.
Dr Pepper has a sweet and unique flavor that many people love. It is also quite refreshing, making it the perfect beverage for hot summer days!
No! This recipe calls for the chicken to be shredded at the end as it is served. This makes it perfect for serving on sandwiches, in tacos, and more.
The amount of time that you can marinate chicken will depend on the recipe, but most recipes call for allowing at least 2 hours or overnight.
Some marinades may need to be refrigerated and soaked for up to 24 hours. It’s important to read your specific recipe carefully so that you can be sure that the chicken is marinated fully.
Keep Instant Pot Dr Pepper Chicken fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days; cool completely before airtight storage. Maximize longevity by freezing for three months; thaw before reheating to maintain flavors.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Dr Pepper Chicken:
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes: Crispy spuds tossed in garlic, parmesan, and herbs complement the sweet tang of Dr Pepper Chicken.
- Honey Glazed Carrots: Roast carrots with a touch of honey for a vibrant, sweet side that balances the savory marinade.
- Quinoa Salad with Fresh Herbs: A light, herb-infused quinoa salad contrasts the rich Dr Pepper Chicken
- Lemon Garlic Green Beans: Sautéed green beans with a burst of lemon and garlic provide a bright, citrusy kick.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Dr Pepper Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Pounds Skinless Chicken Thighs Or Chicken breasts
- 1 Bottle Sweet BBQ Sauce 2 Cups
- 1 Cup Dr Pepper Divided in half
Instructions
- Pour ¼ cup of Dr Pepper into the Instant Pot.
- Place the chicken thighs over Dr Pepper liquid
- In a large measuring cup mix together the remaining Dr Pepper and barbecue sauce.
- Pour this Dr Pepper marinade over the chicken thighs and stir with a wooden spoon.
- Cover Instant Pot and lock the lid closed. Set the valve to sealing position. Program the manual button to “pressure cook” on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the electric pressure cooker to naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes before a quick release of the remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the Dr Pepper chicken from the Instant Pot and using two forks, shred the chicken. If you didn't use boneless chicken remove any bones.
- Add about 1 cup of the sauce from the bottom of the Instant Pot to the shredded chicken, coating the chicken but not making it soupy. Serve with baked potatoes, buns, sliders, or as it is.
- To make the marinade, simply pour half cup of Dr Pepper into a bowl.
- Add your skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast into the dr pepper marinade and refrigerate for two hours. You can skip this step if you're in a hurry or using frozen chicken pieces.
- When you are ready to cook the chicken, simply place the chicken into your Instant Pot!
Notes
If you are feeding a crowd or want to save time, simply cut the cooked chicken into small pieces before serving! So if you’re looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal that your whole family will love, then try this Instant Pot Dr Pepper chicken Recipe bbq style! Barbecue fanatics love it!
Nutrition
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