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    Home » Recipes

    Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken - 3 Ingredients, 3 Steps

    Published June 14, 2017. Last modified June 15, 2022 By Gary White

    3.2K shares
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    Pressure BBQ chicken on a baking sheet
    Pressure cooker BBQ Chicken on a plate with green beans.

    This easy pressure cooker BBQ Chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender. With just 3 ingredients and 3 easy steps, this is our go-to easy dinner recipe.

    Pressure BBQ chicken on a baking sheet

    3 Ingredients, 3 Steps

    Perfect, fall-off-the-bone barbecue chicken with just 3 ingredients in 3 easy steps - Need I say more? This tender pressure cooker BBQ chicken has layers of flavor and is incredibly simple to make.

    Just marinate your chicken, throw it in your pressure cooker, then remove and toss with BBQ sauce before finishing in the oven. Use a foil-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up, and all you have left to clean at the end is your Instant Pot.

    HOW TO MAKE PRESSURE COOKER BBQ CHICKEN

    Chicken marinating in a storage bag next to a bottle of Zesty Italian dressing

    Marinate. Add chicken and dressing to a gallon-sized Ziplock bag and marinate for at least one hour (preferably overnight).

    Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken | The Foodie Eats

    Add trivet to pressure cooker.

    Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken | The Foodie Eats

    Pour all contents of bag into pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes, then allow pressure to release naturally (about 30 minutes).

    Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken | The Foodie Eats

    Carefully individually remove each piece of chicken from Instant Pot with tongs. As you remove them, dip in the BBQ sauce and place on a lined baking sheet.

    Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken | The Foodie Eats

    Then place baking sheet under a high broiler for at least 5 minutes, but basically until you have the desired char and caramelization.

    ★ Did you make this Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken?

    Please give it a star rating below! ★

    Pressure BBQ chicken on a baking sheet

    Easy Pressure Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Perfect, fall-off-the-bone barbecue chicken with just 3 ingredients in 3 easy steps. 
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Barbecue
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Marinating Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 293kcal
    Author: Gary White

    Ingredients

    • 4 lbs chicken drumsticks
    • 16 oz zesty Italian dressing
    • 2 cups BBQ sauce highly recommend the homemade BBQ sauce below

    Instructions

    Marinate

    • Add chicken and dressing to a gallon-sized Ziplock bag and marinate for at least one hour (preferably overnight).

    Cook

    • Add trivet to pressure cooker. Pour all contents of bag into Instant Pot, lock lid, cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Once cook time is complete, allow pressure to naturally release (about 30 minutes). Meanwhile – pour BBQ sauce into a medium-sized bowl. Preheat oven broiler on high.

    Char

    • Carefully individually remove each piece of chicken from Instant Pot with tongs. As you remove them, dip in the BBQ sauce and place on a lined baking sheet. Then place baking sheet under a high broiler for at least 5 minutes, but basically until you have the desired char and caramelization.

    Video

    Notes

    Here's a link to the BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe!
    • This recipe was developed in a 6qt Instant Pot.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
    • Chicken thighs can be substituted for drumsticks. The cook time will remain the same. We have not tested this recipe using chicken breasts.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 943mg | Potassium: 311mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.9mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becky

      January 30, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite way to prepare drumsticks! The bbq sauce is so flavorful and such an easy and fast way to have tender chicken.

      Reply
      • Anne Auker

        July 04, 2019 at 3:16 pm

        5 stars
        A resounding success! My husband said it’s the best he’s ever eaten. The sauce recipe- a keeper for sure! Marinated overnight; cooked 15 minutes in 8qt IP duo plus; NPR for 20 minutes, then QR. PERFECT! Dipped in sauce and broiled 7 minutes to carmelize - was a good 6-8”. Below elements. Thank you for a truly delectable recipe!

        Reply
    2. Marne Murphy

      January 04, 2019 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe CHANGED MY LIFE! it's simple and delicious! I recently got an insta pot and looking for easy recipes because I hate to cook, and i'm shouting this recipe from the rooftops! Thank you

      Reply
    3. Brie

      January 10, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      Fall off the bone, perfectly cooked with this recipe! My family loved it! I tried to dunk the drumsticks in the bbq sauce before broiling then but the meat just fell off so that didn’t work for me, I just took a spoon and covered the drumsticks with sauce before broiling. Still was a great meal!

      Reply
      • Gary

        January 10, 2019 at 4:01 pm

        Glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    4. Judy

      July 02, 2019 at 4:55 pm

      Could you cook several batches of chicken drumsticks earlier in the day, then broil them later?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        July 03, 2019 at 8:14 pm

        Definitely. But you'll want to cool them down completely or leave them on "keep warm" in the meantime.

        Reply
    5. Melanie

      July 07, 2019 at 7:22 pm

      My family does not like drumsticks. Can I use thighs? Do I need to adjust cooking time?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        July 08, 2019 at 12:23 pm

        Thighs will work just fine. Same time.

        Reply
    6. Carol

      August 29, 2019 at 5:08 pm

      Do I have to adjust the quantity of drumsticks or thighs and sauce for a 6-quart instant pot?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        September 03, 2019 at 1:07 pm

        Nope! we used a 6qt for this recipe. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Carolyn

      January 06, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and taste wonderful!

      Reply
    8. Elizabeth

      February 04, 2020 at 7:10 pm

      Do I need a trisket? Or can I use without

      Reply
      • Gary White

        February 05, 2020 at 7:55 am

        You need to use a trivet or you will get a burn notice. We used the trivet that came with the Instant Pot. If your pressure cooker did not come with a trivet, you can order one on Amazon for under $10. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lucy

      June 16, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      I’m going yo try it today. Do I need to add the 1 cup of water so that it pressurizes or will the Italian dressing be the liquid ?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        June 21, 2021 at 8:53 am

        You don't need any extra liquid other than the salad dressing.

        Reply
    10. Molly

      June 17, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      My husband does not like dark meat. Could chicken breast or tenders be ised?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        June 21, 2021 at 8:52 am

        I don't think chicken breasts will work well for this preparation.

        Reply
    11. Bobbye

      June 29, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      I used chicken thighs....and the BBQ sauce is a MUST! This recipe is repeatedly requested!

      Reply
      • Gary White

        June 30, 2021 at 9:54 am

        Thank you! I agree that this is a special sauce.

        Reply
    12. Lisa

      June 30, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      Looks delicious! Any adjustments needed for an 8 qt pot?

      Reply
      • Gary White

        June 30, 2021 at 3:06 pm

        Nope, I have done it with that size many times.

        Reply

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    I believe that food is meant to be enjoyed! Whether creating a simple recipe or taking the time to cook a recipe that's more involved, this is my goal: Creating delicious food that everyone can enjoy. Read more about me...

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