Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner that the whole family will love? This easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Using an Instant Pot, you can have a mouthwatering BBQ chicken ready in minutes.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings:

Calories: 98kcal

Author: Jami Powell

Equipment

Instant Pot
Tongs
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

1 5 lb whole chicken
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup BBQ sauce divided
1 cup chicken broth
1 large onion sliced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Rub the whole chicken with the dijon mustard thoroughly, then with the spice mixture, ensuring even coverage.
Set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth, ½ cup BBQ sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
Place the seasoned whole chicken into the Instant Pot, breast side up on a trivet. Close the lid and set the valve to 'Sealing'.
Select 'Pressure Cook' on high for 6-8 minutes per pound of chicken. For a 5-pound chicken, this means cooking for 30-40 minutes.
Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Verify that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer to ensure it is safe to eat.
Carefully remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board. When cooled, shred the meat using two forks and discard the skin.
Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot. Add the remaining ½ cup BBQ sauce and stir well to combine. Let it simmer on 'Sauté' mode for an additional 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Serve the BBQ chicken on buns for sandwiches or as desired.

Notes

Storage Store leftover Instant Pot BBQ chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheat Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth to keep the chicken moist.

Substitutions

Chicken: Use chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of a whole chicken.
BBQ Sauce: Try different flavors like honey BBQ or spicy BBQ.
Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth or water can be used as alternatives.

Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition