If my Instant Pot is on, there’s a good chance it’s cooking up this Instant Pot BBQ chicken recipe! I dry rub the chicken breasts with a bold blend of spices before pressure cooking them to tender perfection, then serve them with a generous helping of BBQ sauce. It’s my favorite 30-minute dinner solution and is perfect for meal prep, too!
I know I’m onto a winner when even my picky eaters go back for seconds! This Instant Pot BBQ chicken breast recipe is so easy, so delicious, and seriously hard to beat. I love the flavor dry rub adds to the chicken and then topped with BBQ sauce… I mean, do I need to say more? This recipe has become a staple in my household, and I’m so excited to share it with you.
What’s in This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe?
I only use a handful of ingredients and my Instant Pot for this recipe, meaning less prep and fewer dishes to clean!
- Chicken: I always use skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs also work great! You don’t need to adjust the cooking time if using thighs, but always double-check they’re cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Spices: Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper combine to make the best seasoning for this BBQ chicken recipe.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and browns it nicely in the Instant Pot.
- Chicken Broth: For a little liquid in the Instant Pot to build up pressure, add flavor, and prevent burning.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own. I love using a tangy, slightly sweet sauce for this recipe.
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How to Store and Reheat
Leftovers will stay fresh when covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken can be reheated in the oven at 350°F, but I love slicing and serving it with salads for lunch the next day.
How to Freeze
Once cooked, you can freeze these Instant Pot BBQ chicken breasts for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re fully cooled to room temperature before freezing. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Notes and Tips
- It’s so important to let the Instant Pot do a natural release! If you try to a quick release it, the chicken won’t cook all the way through.
- Searing the chicken before adding the sauce helps create a nice crust and keeps the chicken tender.
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
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: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Rub the spice mix and 1 tablespoon olive oil onto 4 chicken breasts until evenly coated.
Brown the Chicken: Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to your Instant Pot and press the saute button. Add the chicken breasts to the hot oil, two at a time, and cook for 2 minutes per side until browned. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
Add the Sauce: Press the Cancel button on your Instant Pot. To the empty Instant Pot, add 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Add all 4 chicken breasts back into the pot, making sure they are nestled in the sauce.
Cook the BBQ Chicken: Click the Manual button and set the timer for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the valve and removing the chicken from the pot.
Brush with Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the Instant Pot and place them on a plate or chopping board. Brush all sides of the chicken with 1 cup of BBQ sauce (total) until you’re happy with the amount of sauce on your chicken.
I Love This Recipe… My family loves Dark near…. Work very Well…!!!!
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Recipe calls for broth, but does not list broth in the ingredients. How much do you use?
Enough to coat the bottom
How much chicken broth do you mix in with the BBQ sauce?
Just like 1/4-1/2 a cup, enough to coat the bottom!
How much broth? It isn’t on the recipe.
Just like half a cup, enough to coat the bottom!
Making this today! Can I double the recipe?
If your instant pot can!
Broth? Chicken broth?
Any works!
Should i adjust cooking time if i use thin sliced chicken breasts?
Yes! You don’t want to overcook it!
I have a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker. What temp do I set it on to cook this?
You’ll follow the same instructions even with a different brand!
There is no measurement for the chicken broth.
Enough to coat the bottom and some!
Was very easy and tasty. However, recipe instructions say “add broth” but the ingredients don’t mention broth. I added 3/4 cup. Worked well.
Thank you for letting us know!