Get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with this Instant Pot BBQ chicken recipe! Perfectly sweet, tangy and sticky this BBQ chicken breast recipe is a keeper!
Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken breasts
After a busy day, I often turn to my Instant Pot for a delicious family meal that I can get on the table in minutes.
This Instant Pot BBQ chicken is loaded with flavor and it’s crazy easy to prep and cook. Rubbed with a dry spice mix before being cooked with BBQ sauce, this chicken is perfectly cooked and so damn tasty!
Be sure to try my BBQ Chicken Salad and Grilled BBQ Chicken too!
Why You’ll Love this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe:
- Quick: It takes minutes to prep this recipe before cooking it in the Instant Pot. It’s ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!
- Kid-friendly: This is such a great recipe that the whole family will enjoy. Even your picky eaters will love it!
- One Pot: Everything is cooked right in the pressure cooker, so clean up is a breeze.
How to make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Combine the seasonings and rub on the chicken breasts.
- Saute the breasts in the Instant Pot to brown.
- Place in the broth and BBQ sauce and add in the chicken.
- Cook.
- Serve with the BBQ sauce.
Can you make this with chicken thighs?
I prefer to make this recipe with chicken breast as that’s more popular in our house, but you can make this with thighs too.
You shouldn’t have to adjust the timing as we do a natural pressure release, but double check that they are fully cooked through.
Does BBQ sauce count as liquid in the Instant Pot?
Because BBQ is quite thick, I like to add in some additional broth so that it doesn’t burn. Mix it together well before adding the chicken. This will stop you from getting the dreaded burn signal.
What do you serve it with?
This Instant Pot BBQ chicken is a great weeknight family meal, and it’s great to serve with all your veggie and potato sides. Go simple with some steamed broccoli , or try one of these yummy recipes:
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated in the oven at 350F or slice cold and serve with salads.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release. If you quick release it, the chicken may not be fully cooked through.
This Instant Pot BBQ chicken is so crazy quick and easy to make, it’s so perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Packed with flavor, it’s one delicious bite!
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
- Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- Instant Pot Chicken Tenders
- Instant Pot Chicken Stock
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce divided
Instructions
- Combine the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small dish. Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the spice mixture on the chicken breasts, fully coating them.1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Add the remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot. Press the Sauté button. Once the oil is heated, brown the chicken breasts, two at a time, on each side for 2 minutes.
- Press the Cancel button. Add in the broth and ½ cup BBQ sauce and stir. Add in the chicken breasts.1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1½ cups BBQ sauce
- Press the Manual button and set the timer for 10 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce until coated to your liking.
Notes
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release. If you quick release it, the chicken may not be fully cooked through.
Penny Irby says
Amazing recipe! Was absolutely delicious. The chicken was very moist and tender The quick prep and cook time is a huge plus.
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Penny!
Shree stephenson says
Wonderful chicken. So tender and taste was awsome
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Shree!
Cindy says
Taste wise this recipe was great. Ease of instructions, not so much. This is the first recipe I made in my instant pot, there were no quantities for the broth, there was no indication as to high/low for the sauté portion, same for the pressure cooking section.
Had the instructions been complete it would have been 5 stars! But my sauce ended up too loose because i guestimated the broth quantity
Becky Hardin says
Hi Cindy, I’m so sorry this recipe wasn’t a hit for you! I am in the process of updating a lot of my recipes, and I will be sure to add this one to the list!