Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe) 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights! #instantpot #pressurecooker #chicken #dinner #easy

Make Caramelized Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken) in 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy & tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky-smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights!

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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe) 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights!

With summer just around the corner, we’re starting to crave for all-things barbeque, the smoky scent of summer; and the summer picnics, camping under the stars, warm beach parties with delicious ice-cream…yess!!

Have a little taste of summer with this deliciously juicy & beautifully caramelized BBQ Chicken…

3 Super Easy Steps to Make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken:

  1. Pressure Cook Chicken in Instant Pot
  2. Mop on the BBQ Sauce
  3. Caramelize BBQ Chicken

Ta da! That’s it! You can do this. 🙂

Easy enough for busy nights yet delicious enough for party or potluck!

Why Make BBQ Chicken in Instant Pot?We pressure cook the chicken in Instant Pot to keep them super tender & juicy.

Then, we apply the spiced up BBQ sauce and caramelize it in the oven at the highest temperature for the shortest duration to avoid drying out the chicken.

This easy cooking method results in super tender & juicy chicken coated with finger-licking caramelized sticky sweet-smoky flavors. So good!! 🙂

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Super easy to prepare as the only essential ingredients you need are the Chicken + BBQ Sauce! 🙂

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken) Ingredients

1

Add Water & Steamer Basket


Add 1 cup (250ml) cold water and (optional) 3 drops of liquid smoke in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken): add liquid smoke and stainless steel steamer basket in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker #instantpot #pressurecooker #chickenrecipes #recipes #dinner #easy

Then, place a Stainless Steel Steamer Basket in there as well (as shown in above photo).

2

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Pressure Cook Chicken


Generously season both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper.

Then, layer 6 – 8 (2.5 – 3 lbs) chicken thighs or drumsticks on the Stainless Steel Steamer Basket (as shown in below photo).

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken): add chicken in Instant Pot on steamer basket

Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Pressure Cooking Program

If the Floating Valve doesn’t drop after 10 minutes, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting Position to release the remaining pressure.

3

Spice Up BBQ Sauce


If you are using store-bought BBQ sauce, add more depth of flavor with some garlic powder, onion powder, and white vinegar.

How to make BBQ Sauce

*Pro Tip: For reference, we added 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tbsp white vinegar to 1/3 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. Please taste & adjust accordingly.

4

Apply BBQ Sauce to Chicken


Pat dry the chicken thighs and place them on an oven tray. Generously coat both sides of the chicken with BBQ sauce.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken): coat Instant Pot Chicken with BBQ Sauce, then brown chicken under broiler #instantpot #pressurecooker #chickenrecipes #recipes #dinner #easy

5

Caramelize Instant Pot BBQ Chicken


We tested caramelizing the BBQ Chicken with the broiler in the oven vs. Instant Pot’s Saute Mode. Both methods work, but broiling in the oven works and taste better.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken): caramelize BBQ Chicken with Instant Pot or Broiler #instantpot #pressurecooker #chickenrecipes #recipes #dinner #easy
Caramelizing Results: Broiler vs. Instant Pot Saute Mode

Place the chicken thighs under the broiler for 4 – 8 minutes until the BBQ chicken is browned & caramelized (not burned).

*Pro Tip: If you use Instant Pot’s Saute Mode, be sure to constantly flip the BBQ Chicken to avoid burning the chicken.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe) 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights! #instantpot #pressurecooker #chicken #dinner #easy

Enjoy your Instant Pot BBQ Chicken!~ 🙂

Tools for Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Time for cooking BBQ Chicken in Instant Pot!

5 from 41 votes

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Author: Amy + Jacky
Make Caramelized Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken) in 3 Super Easy steps. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky-smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights!
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Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 6 - 8 (1230g or 2.5 - 3lbs) chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • Your favorite BBQ sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (250ml) cold water

Optional:

Share this Recipe so We can create more yummy recipes for you.  Thank you 🙂

Instructions 

  • Add Water & Steamer Basket: Add 1 cup (250ml) cold water and (optional) 3 drops of liquid smoke in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Then, place a steamer basket in the pot.
  • Pressure Cook Chicken: Generously season both sides of chicken with salt and black pepper, then layer chicken on stainless steel steamer basket. Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.
  • Spice Up BBQ Sauce: If you are using store-bought BBQ sauce, add more depth of flavor with some garlic powder, onion powder, and white vinegar. For reference: we added ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tbsp white vinegar to ⅓ cup Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. Please taste & adjust accordingly.
  • Apply BBQ Sauce to Chicken: Pat dry chicken and place them on an oven tray. Generously coat both sides of chicken with BBQ sauce.
  • Caramelize Instant Pot BBQ Chicken: Place BBQ Chicken under the broiler for 4 - 8 minutes until the BBQ chicken is browned & caramelized.

Video

Notes

Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you!
Calories: 574kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq chicken in instant pot, bbq chicken instant pot, instant pot bbq chicken

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 256mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 535mg | Vitamin A: 205IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1.7mg

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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe) 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights! #instantpot #pressurecooker #chicken #dinner #easy
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken (Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe) 3 Super Easy steps with a few pantry staples. Juicy tender BBQ Chicken bursting with sticky smoky-sweet flavors. Delicious family recipe for busy nights! #instantpot #pressurecooker #chicken #dinner #easy
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