Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
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You need this Instant Pot BBQ chicken breast recipe because… who doesn’t need another delicious way to make chicken?
This recipe is quick and easy to put together. It only requires a small amount of tending to, and the result is a thick, tender, juicy piece of chicken.
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Instant Pot Chicken Breast Cooking Times
One thing I love about an Instant Pot, is that I can take chicken directly from the freezer and have it cooked in minutes. I love that I don’t have to thaw the chicken!
But if you happen to have fresh (not frozen) chicken breasts, I’ll give you the cooking time for that too.
Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Manual | High Pressure | 20 minutes
Unfrozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Manual | High Pressure | 10 minutes
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Tips For Cooking Barbecue In Your Instant Pot
- Never use less than 1 cup of liquid in you Instant Pot.
- To thicken the sauce and coat the chicken, you’ll always need to cook with additional sauce on the sauté setting, after the chicken is fully cooked. Think of it as “reducing” the sauce.
- While this recipe calls for draining the liquid after cooking the chicken, you don’t have to discard it. You can use it as a seasoned chicken broth and add it to soups and other recipes.
- If you prefer to shred your chicken for sandwiches, shred it after draining the liquid, and then add the additional sauce and sauté according the the recipe, stirring frequently.
What Size of Instant Pot Can I Use?
You can use any size instant pot you like, as long as the chicken breasts can lay flat in a single layer on the bottom of the insert.
You can also multiply the recipe with the same rule.
What You’ll Need
1½ lbs. frozen chicken breasts
1 cup barbecue sauce (divided)
½ cup chicken broth (no sugar added)
How To Make This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
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Place frozen chicken breasts in your Instant Pot.
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Pour HALF the sauce over the top of the chicken.
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Pour the chicken broth over that.
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Secure the lid on your Instant Pot.
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Close the vent and press the Manual button. Adjust time according to the chicken used (see table above). Chicken should be at least 165 F. when done. Drain off any leftover liquid.
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Add the other half of the barbecue sauce to the chicken in the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button.
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Cook the breasts in the sauce, heating the sauce until it has thickened.
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Once the sauce is thick, the chicken is done.
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe
CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs. frozen chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (divided)
- ½ cup chicken broth (no sugar added)
Instructions
- Place frozen chicken breasts in your Instant Pot.
- Pour HALF the sauce over the top of the chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth over that.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot.
- Close the vent and press the Manual button. Adjust time according to the chicken used (see table in post above). When done cooking, do a quick release. The chicken should be at least 165 F. when done. Drain off any leftover liquid.
- Add the other half of the barbecue sauce to the chicken in the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button.
- Cook the breasts in the sauce, heating the sauce until it has thickened.
- Once the sauce is thick, the chicken is done.
I am confused by this recipe. Am I supposed to cook the chicken on High Pressure for 20 minutes if frozen (10 if fresh) or am I supposed to cook it on the slow cooker setting for 4-6 hours? Total time says 1 hour 5 minutes?
Karrie – Ya, that was odd. Sorry about that. All fixed.
Thank you for the fast response! I plan on trying this recipe for dinner tonight!
Karrie – Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Are you using natural pressure release or opening steam vent after cooking for 20 minutes on high pressure?
Kalcey – It’s a quick release. Hope you enjoy the chicken! 🙂
Thank you, I made it the other night, cooked for 20, and left for 10mins, was still pretty good. Will try the quick release next time
Kalcey – I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I am trying this right now I hope it turns out good and is the chicken tender ???
Charlotte – I hope you enjoy it! And yes, IP chicken is always tender. 🙂