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RECIPES: BBQ Chicken in an Instapot vs. Airfryer

Demonstration and recipes courtesy of SIUE Nutrition Professor Kathy Mora with the help of SIUE Nutrition Major Allison Lutz

ST. LOUIS — BBQ Chicken Instapot:

6-8 Chicken breast, thighs, and/or drumsticks. (~3 pounds)

Any bar-b-que sauce of choice

Salt, pepper- to taste

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Liquid Smoke (optional)

1 Cup water

  • Pour 1 C water into bottom of instapot.
  • If using liquid smoke, add 3 drops to the water.
  • Place steamer basket or trivet in the instapot, will be sitting over the water.
  • Season both sides of each piece of chicken
  • Place the seasoned chicken pieces on the trivet/steamer.
  • Close the instapot lid, be sure to click it into place and listen for the beeping sound.
  • Select high pressure and set timer for 8 minutes.
  • Remember the cooking time is 8 minutes, but it takes a few minutes for the pressure to rise enough before the actual cooking time begins. The instapot will beep when the pressure reaches the point when it's high enough to begin cooking, and then you will see the timer.
  • After 8 minutes, the instapot will beep again and the timer will be zero.
  • CAREFULLY, turn the vent knob in the back of the lid to open, and allow the steam to escape. Usually it's helpful to use a spoon or long handle utensil to push the knob into the open vent position to avoid the rapid release of steam.
  • Once the steam has been fully released, it is safe to open the instapot, and remove the chicken.
  • Place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet.
  • Add the garlic and onion powder to your store bought BBQ sauce, adjust to taste. Generously pour and spread the BBQ sauce over the chicken.
  • Broil chicken for 5-7 minutes until the BBQ sauce caramelizes.
  • Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Air Fryer:

6-8 Chicken breast, thighs, and/or drumsticks. (~3 pounds)

Any bar-b-que sauce of choice

2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil (depending on number of pieces of chicken you are cooking)

Salt, pepper- to taste

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

  • If cooking chicken pieces with skin, there is no need to add olive oil. If you are using skinless pieces of chicken, it helps to add small amount of oil to each piece to coat, which helps with the air frying. You do not have to use a lot, just enough to seal in moisture and give the outer side a little crispness.
  • Season chicken as preferred (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, or any other seasoning of choice)
  • Place seasoned chicken in the basket of the air fryer.
  • Select 370 degrees and 18 minutes cooking time. When the air fryer has reached 18 minutes it will beep to alert you.
  • Once the chicken has cooked 18 minutes, add BBQ sauce. Pour over the chicken to coat. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook another 3 minutes.
  • Enjoy!


For BOTH recipes, chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F for safety.

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