Get dinner on the table in under thirty minutes with this easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe! Chicken breasts are dry rubbed with a bold blend of spices before being pressure cooked to tender perfection and served with sticky BBQ sauce.
Why we love this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
This easy BBQ chicken recipe is a family favorite in my house! Here’s why I can always count on it:
- 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.
Can I make this with chicken thighs?
I prefer to make this recipe with chicken breasts 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.
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How to Store and Reheat
Leftovers will stay fresh when covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. The chicken can be reheated in the oven at 350°F or sliced cold and served with salads.
Serving Suggestions
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 side dish recipes:
- Green Beans and Bacon
- BBQ Baked Beans
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Home Fries
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes We Love
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Tenders
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Piccata
Top Reader Review
“Amazing recipe! Was absolutely delicious. The chicken was very moist and tender. The quick prep and cook time is a huge plus.” – Penny Irby
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe
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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.
How to make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Step by Step
Season the chicken: Combine 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper in a small dish. Rub 1 tbsp olive oil and spice mixture all over 4 chicken breasts to coat them.
Pressure cook the chicken: Add remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot. Press the sauté button. Once the oil is heated, brown the chicken breasts on each side for 2 minutes. Hit the cancel button, then add in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Stir, then add chicken breasts. Press the manual button and set timer for 10 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
Serve with more sauce: Coat as much additional BBQ sauce on your chicken as you’d like. Serve and enjoy!
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!