This easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe has only three easy ingredients and is incredibly easy to make. It’s always a hit and one of the best crock pot recipes for chicken.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
When it comes to easy dinners, it doesn’t get much simpler than this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken. There are only three ingredients and it only takes a few quick minutes to get into the crock pot and cooking.
It’s easy BBQ Chicken slow cooker style! It’s delicious enough to serve as is or sometimes, I serve it as Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken with some extra barbecue sauce on the side. Other times, I pile it onto rolls for Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Anyway you decided to serve it, it’s a keeper.
You know I’m a huge fan of meal planning. Planning our meals for the week is my Sunday ritual.
My meal planner and checklists make me feel sane. Really. They do.
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans, right? Yeah. They’re meant to be blown out of the water. That’s what happened to me.
You see, I had planned this amazing new chicken recipe for dinner (I’ll be posting it soon!). However, on the day I was supposed to make said chicken recipe, I woke up late. Very late. Ridiculously late.
I barely had enough time to get dressed that morning – forget prepping my meal for the slow cooker. Why, oh why didn’t I do it the night before?!?
So, I was forced to come up with a plan B. After a quick scan of the fridge, I found what was to become dinner.
The pack of chicken breasts I had and a bottle of BBQ sauce. Yes, a bottle of sauce. Don’t judge me. I’m capable of making my own BBQ sauce – remember this post?
Back to my story. As I was pouring my coffee, brushing my teeth and looking for my car keys, I managed to throw the chicken in the slow cook and pour the entire bottle of sauce on top. I’m a good multi-tasker!
I crossed my fingers, hoped for the best and bolted out the door.
Fast forward 6 six hours. The moment of truth. Could something so simple be any good?
It most certainly can! I drizzled the sauce from the slow cooker over the chicken and served it on a bed of brown rice. Now you have instant pot bbq chicken, delicious!
My guys were thrilled! And, I was thrilled because they were thrilled. Which meant we were one big happy family (with full bellies)!
When it comes to slow cookers, there are many options available – from the basic to the ultra fancy. This one is my all-time favorite. I have had a number of slow cookers over the years and this is by far my favorite. It’s easy to use and program. It’s just the right size and it has handy clips that hold the lid on securely while you’re traveling.
Be sure to check out these best slow cooker recipes of all time and my slow cooker tips and tricks.
Serving Ideas for Instant Pot bbq Chicken
- Enjoy this recipe as is, right out of the slow cooker. I serve it with this skillet mac and cheese.
- Amp up the flavor by using this Barbecue Dry Rub recipe on the chicken before cooking it.
- Shred it up (these
make it so easy!) for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken. It’s great as a topping for nachos or tacos.
- Pile it high on soft rolls for Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Top with my favorite coleslaw recipe for great flavor.
Looking for More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes?
- Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Garlic Chicken
- Crock Pot Sticky Chicken
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
- Slow Cooker Pierogies
- The Best Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef
My Favorite Slow Cooker Items
- My favorite slow cooker
- My favorite casserole slow cooker
- Disposable slow cooker liners (I can’t live without these!)
- Slow cooker travel bag
- Slow Cooker Essentials
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ⭐
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon BBQ Rub - (your favorite brand)
- 1 18 oz bottle BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Season chicken liberally on both side with BBQ Rub.
- Place chicken in an single layer in the crock of slow cooker.
- Pour BBQ sauce over top of chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
Crystal Lopez says
Now this is a true easy and crowd pleasing recipe! Certainly something I would like to rotate on my meal plan! Yum!
Christina Hitchcock says
It doesn’t get any easier 🙂
Wendy O’Neal says
I’ve made this a few times now and it’s always a hit. Everyone loves it! Yeah for slow cooker meals.
Christina Hitchcock says
My slow cooker is a hard worker in my kitchen 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I do love my BBQ chicken but sometimes the weather just isn’t cooperating. Your recipe sounds like just the thing I need for those days. YUM!! Will be trying it out soon.
Christina Hitchcock says
It’s so easy and perfect for busy weeknights.
Dana DeVolk says
Only three ingredients?! Sign me up!
Christina Hitchcock says
Right?!?! It doesn’t get much easier than that! Enjoy!
Amanda says
So good! I love how easy it is. It’s something I will be making over and over again!
Christina Hitchcock says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Marjory says
Easiest recipe ever! And, then you can do so many things with the meat. Perfect for entertaining!
Christina Hitchcock says
I use the chicken for so many other recipes. It’s so versatile!
Diana Johnson says
Is it really that easy? YES IT IS! Love BBQ chicken.
Christina Hitchcock says
Right?!?! Doesn’t get much easier than this!
pictaram says
It sounds so good. Thank you for the recipe! It’s been few weeks since the last time I cooked with slow cooker, gonna try this recipe soon.
Christina Hitchcock says
I hope you enjoy it!
Denise says
Trying this out for tomorrowa dinner. Would this go good with mashed potatoes?
Christina Hitchcock says
It sure would!
Victor Hernandez says
Wow, did the short beef ribs ,one you recommended,and they were awesome,,thank. Fixing to try chicken next.
Christina Hitchcock says
I’m so glad you liked them!! Those short ribs are on of my favorite recipes of all time!
Mom-O-5 says
Does the chicken need yo be thawed?
Christina Hitchcock says
I’ve made it using frozen chicken. It just might need a little longer in the slow cooker.
Sharon Mordarski says
Wonder what would happen if you put in more than 1 layer of chicken? My fireman son and his friends can really EAT and 2 pounds of chicken wouldn’t take the edge off their hungries, but this would sure be a time-saver! Thanks for the recipes!!
Christina Hitchcock says
I’ve done 2 layers before. It worked fine for me. Just make sure there is enough BBQ sauce.
Dianna @ The Kennedy Adventures says
I love love love BBQ chicken … making it in the slow cooker is perfect for this summer!
Kristina & Millie says
Gotta love quick and easy recipes! I do this in the oven all the time, why didn’t I think to do the crockpot?!?! New follower 🙂 Come link up to our Snickerdoodle Sunday sometime!
Christina says
Making it in the oven would be great too! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Rach @ EazyPeazyMealz says
Hi, Found this on Design It Friday Link Up, just have a question, did the chicken dry out at all? I usually hate chicken in the crock pot because it gets too dry. I want to know your secret because it looks great.
Christina says
It was good. Be careful not to cook it too long. I usually go 4 hours on low with chicken breast. If you’re worried, try using chicken thighs — they may be more forgiving. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Mika says
So juicy and flavorful!
Coming from Mix it up Monday! Visit me on my blog!
Taralyn says
I need to do more easy recipes like this! We love Famous Dave’s BBQ sauce!
Christina says
It would be great with Famous Dave’s!