• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Recipes » Recipes

    Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 15, 2019 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken cooked a sweet and tangy sauce with pineapple is a quick and easy pressure cooker dinner made in just 30 minutes!

    Jump to Recipe -

    instant pot hawaiian bbq chicken over rice in a bowl with pineapples

    If you're looking for a super quick and easy chicken dinner your whole family will love, this delicious Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe is for you! I made this easy pineapple chicken several times already this month, and it's now one of my family's favorite easy Instant Pot recipes!

    I'm always looking for new Instant Pot recipes with chicken since we have chicken for dinner several time a week. Sound familiar?

    This Hawaiian style chicken was inspired by my  Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ pork chops recipe. People comment that they love the sweet and tangy sauce, so I decided to make the same basic pressure cooker recipe with chicken instead of pork. You guys, this chicken dinner is definitely a winner!

    What is Hawaiian BBQ Chicken?

    It's chicken (or pork) cooked in a sweet and savory sauce made with barbecue sauce, pineapple, brown sugar and spices. Some recipes use soy sauce -- mine doesn't, but you can add some for more umami flavor. This isn't the most authentic Hawaiian chicken recipe, but we love it!

    How to Make Hawaiian BBQ Chicken in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into approximately 1-inch cubes. Then, add them to the pressure cooker, along with the seasonings, and cook on saute mode. Cook only until no longer pink -- the chicken will finish cooking under pressure.

    cubed chicken breast in instant pot

    Next, add pineapple tidbits and juice. Then, add the brown sugar and BBQ sauce over the chicken, but DON'T STIR!

    Sorry for the caps, but thick sauces like barbecue may trigger the burn notice if you stir everything together. This way, the sauce goes on top, and the thinner liquid will allow the pot to reach pressure without problems. Say that last part 5 times, friends!

    cubed cooked chicken topped with bbq sauce, brown sugar and pineapple in instant pot

    After pressure cooking the chicken, give it a good stir. Then turn on the SAUTE setting, mix a cornstarch slurry using a mix of cornstarch and pineapple juice or water, and stir it into the bubbling sauce. You can skip this for a thinner sauce, but the slurry helps thicken it up and gives it a smooth, velvety texture.

    cooked instant pot hawaiian bbq chicken and pineapple on spoon

    What to serve with Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

    We love spooning this Instant Pot chicken over Instant Pot jasmine rice! And the kids like adding more pineapple tidbits or chunks over the chicken. You can also serve it with a side of peas, corn or salad greens.

    It's so simple, but so good! Best of all, this Instant Pot chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for busy days!

    bowl in instant pot hawaiian bbq chicken over jasmine rice

    More Quick and Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

    • Instant Pot Orange Chicken
    • Instant Pot Honey Mustard Curry Chicken
    • Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    Contains affiliate links. See disclosure page for more information.

    Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

    Recipe

    instant pot hawaiian bbq chicken over rice in a bowl with pineapples

    Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken cooked a sweet and tangy sauce with pineapple is a quick and easy pressure cooker dinner made in just 30 minutes! Even picky eaters love it!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 9 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 24 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 326 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil, coconut oil or vegetable oil
    • 2 pounds chicken breast boneless skinless cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup pineapple tidbits
    • ½ cup pineapple juice
    • ½ cup barbecue sauce
    • ¼ cup brown sugar

    For the slurry

    • 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • 3 tablespoons pineapple juice or water

    Instructions
     

    • Hit SAUTE on the Instant Pot, and when it reads Hot, add the olive oil and chicken
    • Stir in the sea salt, garlic powder, ginger, minced onions and pepper, and cook until chicken is no longer pink
    • Hit CANCEL, then stir in the pineapple juice. Add the pineapple tidbits, BBQ sauce and brown sugar over the chicken, but DO NOT STIR
    • Place lid on the pressure cooker, turn vent to Sealing, and hit PRESSURE COOK or Manual for 4 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then begin counting down and cook. When pot beeps, turn vent to venting and do a quick release
    • When pin drops, carefully remove lid, and stir. Hit CANCEl, then hit SAUTE again.
    • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and pineapple juice or water, then stir it into the sauce and allow to cook until sauce thickens. 
    • Hit CANCEL to turn off pot, and serve. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools

    Notes

    Recipe was made in a 6 quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. For an 8 quart, use 1 cup pineapple juice. Cook time remains the same.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 33gFat: 4gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 812mgPotassium: 788mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 13.4mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1.2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    bowl of instant pot pressure cooker hawaiian bbq chicken

    I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken as much as we do!

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes on the blog

    • Snickers apple salad with chopped snicker bars in a bowl
      Snickers Apple Salad Recipe (3 Ingredients)
    • Cadbury mini egg cookies with mini eggs on a blue plate
      Mini Egg Cookies (Easter Cookies)
    • cherry fluff salad with maraschino cherry in a white bowl
      Cherry Fluff Recipe (Dessert Salad)
    • lemon chicken salad recipe in a croissant roll with lettuce
      Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe with Apples

    You May Also Like

    bowl of instant pot cheesy chicken and rice with peas on the table
    Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    instant pot BBQ chicken in a pulled chicken sandwich on a plate
    Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
    bourbon street chicken with rice on a plate
    Easy Bourbon Street Chicken Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. CC says

      September 24, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      Can the brown sugar be omitted? OR will it impact the taste or consistency?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 24, 2019 at 5:19 pm

        Yes, you can omit the brown sugar. It won't taste exactly the same, and the sauce won't be as thick, but if you add the slurry, it should be fine.

    2. Kim says

      July 24, 2019 at 8:19 pm

      Hi. How many people will this be enough for? Thanks

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 25, 2019 at 12:50 am

        We got about 6 servings from this recipe, but you could get more or less depending on the size.

    3. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      April 18, 2019 at 3:28 am

      I need to try this immediately, it looks so good! I have to put this on my menu!5 stars

      Reply
      • Tim hoover says

        February 16, 2021 at 1:42 pm

        I have a 10 quart electric pressure cooker, I'm wondering if I could just double the recipe.

      • Dee says

        February 16, 2021 at 2:24 pm

        You should be able to double everything in the 10 quart -- as long as it doesn't go over the max fill line.

    4. Jackie says

      April 17, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      I made this last night and had enough for leftovers today! My husband actually at the leftovers because he loved it so much.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 17, 2019 at 11:31 pm

        Sounds like my husband! Thanks so much, Jackie!

    5. Krista says

      April 17, 2019 at 8:14 am

      I have to add this to my menu this week! Looks great!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 17, 2019 at 11:31 pm

        Thanks, Krista! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

    6. James says

      April 17, 2019 at 6:24 am

      Had this last night. Easy and awesome! The kids want it again before the week is over!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 17, 2019 at 11:29 pm

        You made my day, James! Thanks so much!

    7. Lora says

      April 16, 2019 at 3:29 am

      I'm making this tonight for the kids...they will love this sweet sauce and I love how easy it is to make!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:22 pm

        It's super easy! I hope you guys enjoy it! 🙂

    8. Catalina says

      April 16, 2019 at 3:03 am

      This chicken looks fabulous! I want this for dinner tonight!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:21 pm

        Thank you! I hope you get a chance to make it! 🙂

    9. Katerina @ diethood .com says

      April 16, 2019 at 2:44 am

      My family would LOVE this! It looks and sounds SO delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:20 pm

        My family practically inhaled this! Thanks, Katerina!

    10. Kate Berkey says

      April 15, 2019 at 9:36 pm

      I was looking for a chicken recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:21 pm

        So glad that you liked it, Kate! Thanks!

    11. Jessica | The Novice Chef says

      April 15, 2019 at 2:09 pm

      Definitely making the menu this week!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • baked breaded pork chops with panko bread crumbs and mashed potatoes on plate
      Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • ground beef pasta, creamy shells and beef, in creamy tomato sauce in dutch oven
      Creamy Shells and Beef
    • Easter bunny bait snack mix with popcorn and candy in glass bowl
      Bunny Bait Snack Mix
    • easy strawberry jello fruit salad on plate
      Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
    .feast-image-round, .feast-image-round img { border-radius: 50% !important; }
    • baked kielbasa and sauerkraut in casserole dish with parsely
      Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • no bake banana pudding with cool whip and nilla wafer cookies and sliced bananas
      Easy No Bake Banana Pudding
    • slices of grandma's nut roll with swirls walnut filling on a white platter
      Grandma's Nut Roll Recipe
    • easter lamb cake decorated with buttercream frosting, colored coconut and jelly beans
      The Best Easter Lamb Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama