Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

Rating 5.0
| 4
| Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Instant Pot BBQ chicken is tender, flavorful and most importantly, easy! This simple recipe brings the flavors of barbecue chicken without the necessity of a grill.
Utensils Dinner
Globe New American
7
ingredients
7
steps
40
minutes
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Author Shot
Giselle Park
Giselle is a recipe developer and content creator that loves all things sweet and savory. She runs her own food blog, The Busy Spatula, and her work has been featured on Yahoo!, Marvel Studios and the Kitchn.

Ingredients

Servings:
4
8
pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks and/or thighs
1 tsp
granulated garlic
1 tsp
onion powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup(s)
water
1 cup(s)
barbecue sauce, divided
1 tsp
liquid smoke, optional
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Directions 7 steps | 40 Minutes

Step 1

Season the chicken with granulated garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Season the chicken with granulated garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Step 2

In the pot of the Instant Pot, whisk together 1 cup of water, ½ cup of barbecue sauce and liquid smoke, if using. 

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: In the pot of the Instant Pot, whisk together 1 cup of water, ½ cup of barbecue sauce and liquid smoke, if using.
Step 3

Add the pieces of seasoned chicken into the pot. Toss to coat in the sauce mixture. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and pressure cook on the manual high setting for 15 minutes with the pressure release valve set to sealing. 

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Add the pieces of seasoned chicken into the pot.
Step 4

Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release steam for 10 minutes before quick releasing.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release steam for 10 minutes before quick releasing.
Step 5

Remove the chicken from the pot and baste with the remaining ½ cup of barbecue sauce. 

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Remove the chicken from the pot and baste with the remaining ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
Step 6

Turn the oven on to broil. Broil the chicken for 4-5 minutes until the skin of the chicken is slightly charred and crisp.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Turn the oven on to broil.
Step 7

Serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe: Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Per Serving
View All
CALORIES
503
FAT
28.7 g
PROTEIN
28.9 g
CARBS
30.5 g
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4 Comments
4 Comments
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Sandra G.

Sandra

13 Jul 2022

Perfect for weekday cooking!

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Jessica S.

Jessica

13 Jul 2022

I have made quite a few instant pot chicken recipes and this one definitely had some of the best flavor to date. Will definitely be making it again...many times! Such an easy weeknight meal!

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Cozymeal Team

07 Jul 2022

I really love chicken thighs. I'd like to try this ?

Reply to this comment
Chrystal G.

Chrystal

06 Jul 2022

Love this easy method! The liquid smoke really adds to the flavor. I’m going to try it with chicken thighs.

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