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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

More Quick and Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

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Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

Recipe

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

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 9

pressure time 10

Total Time 24

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings

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!

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

Comments

Leave a Review Cancel reply

CC says

September 24, 2019 at 3:37 pm

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

- 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.
Kim says

July 24, 2019 at 8:19 pm

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

- 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.
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!

- 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.
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.

- Dee says
  
  April 17, 2019 at 11:31 pm
  
  Sounds like my husband! Thanks so much, Jackie!
Krista says

April 17, 2019 at 8:14 am

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

- Dee says
  
  April 17, 2019 at 11:31 pm
  
  Thanks, Krista! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
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!

- Dee says
  
  April 17, 2019 at 11:29 pm
  
  You made my day, James! Thanks so much!
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!

- Dee says
  
  April 16, 2019 at 1:22 pm
  
  It's super easy! I hope you guys enjoy it! 🙂
Catalina says

April 16, 2019 at 3:03 am

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

- Dee says
  
  April 16, 2019 at 1:21 pm
  
  Thank you! I hope you get a chance to make it! 🙂
Katerina @ diethood .com says

April 16, 2019 at 2:44 am

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

- Dee says
  
  April 16, 2019 at 1:20 pm
  
  My family practically inhaled this! Thanks, Katerina!
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 this

- Dee says
  
  April 16, 2019 at 1:21 pm
  
  So glad that you liked it, Kate! Thanks!
Jessica | The Novice Chef says

April 15, 2019 at 2:09 pm

Definitely making the menu this week!