How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks In Instant Pot

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Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs

Instant Pot Best Tasting Chicken Drumsticks- 10 Minute Pressure Cooked Chicken Legs (No oil added)

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This fast and fabulous Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs recipe will liven up your dinner menu and take no time to do it. From a fun new Instant Pot cookbook full of great, easy paleo recipes!

I seem to have less and less time right now to cook but thanks to my Instant Pot and a fun new cookbook thats not a problem: The I Love My Instant Pot Paleo Recipe Book by Michelle Fagone.

I reviewed Michelles first cookbook earlier this year and shared a delicious Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken recipe.

Todays Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Leg recipe from the new cookbook is another easy peasy, fast-and-fabulous recipe.

This cookbook would make a great Christmas gift for someone with an Instant Pot or one getting one for Christmas!

How Do You Make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

  • In a small bowl combine the paprika, cumin, and garlic salt.
  • Next, sprinkle the seasoning over the drum sticks. You want to rub it all over each piece of chicken.
  • Add the water to the instant pot. You dont want the drumsticks touching the bottom so use the rack that came with the instant pot.
  • Place the lid on top and set the valve to pressure to begin cooking the chicken.
  • Set the pressure to 15 minutes to cook the chicken drumsticks. Do a quick release to natural pressure release. In just minutes, you will have the best chicken!
  • Once they are finished cooking, place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
  • Brush with BBQ sauce and broil in the oven for that nice crispy outside. It will take about 1-5 minutes. Cooking time will vary.
  • Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce.
  • Broil another 1-5 minutes until brown.
  • These drumsticks are perfect when served warm.

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

When creating this recipe I tried so many different methods for getting the perfect juicy chicken meat, the perfect brown skin with just the right amount of caramelization, and the perfect velvety gravy with tons of flavour. Heres the BEST method for getting the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks every single time:

  • Start on sauté mode. Youll be browning the chicken drumsticks first before pressure cooking, so use a bit of olive oil and make sure your Instant Pot gets nice and hot.
  • Use a fresh or thawed chicken, not frozen. Starting with frozen chicken wont work here. Be sure to thaw your chicken drumsticks completely first, before starting this recipe, or use fresh ones.
  • Pat your chicken drumsticks dry, and season generously. Patting the drumsticks dry before browning will ensure the skin becomes as brown and crispy as possible. Youre going for colour AND flavour here.
  • Brown the chicken drumsticks on all sides, turning them gently. Let the skin brown nicely, turning the drumsticks as they brown Use a pair of tongs for this, and work carefully so you dont rip the skin.
  • Brown the drumsticks in batches, not all at once. If you crowd the Instant Pot the drumsticks will steam, not brown, so brown only as many at one time as will fit in one layer in the bottom of the pot. Once theyve browned, remove them to a plate and brown the next batch.
  • Cook for 10 minutes. This amount of time will yield delicious, juicy meat thats cooked through.
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    How To Store Leftovers:

    • To refrigerate: Ensure the dish is completely cooled prior to storing. Then, transfer the Mongolian drumsticks to an airtight container, and store them for up to 4 days in the fridge. Best to reheat prior to serving.
    • To freeze: Once the chicken has cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe dish or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw: Plan in advance when ready to serve and thaw in the fridge overnight.
    • Reheat: You can reheat it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Or as an alternative you can microwave it.

    Smoked Paprika Vs Regular Paprika

    Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    This recipe uses Smoked Paprika which taste very different than regular paprika. It has a deep earthy flavor.

    For spicy food lovers you can swap it with HOT Smoked Paprika with will add some heat to the flavor.

    Whichever version you use be sure to read the label to ensure you are getting the type you want!

    Recommended Reading: What To Do When Instant Pot Says Food Burn

    Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

    • Quick: Ready to serve in 20 minutes, these BBQ chicken drumsticks are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
    • One pot: Everything in this recipe is all prepared in your pressure cooker, so clean up is a breeze!
    • Kid-friendly: This is a great dish that the whole family can enjoy, even your picky eaters will love these!

    Drumsticks In Instant Pot

    If youve never made any type of pressure cooker chicken drumsticks they are so easy and a healthy meal too! We have directions for frozen chicken legs Instant Pot but if theyre defrosted use this one.

    If you like a little crisp on the outside you just pop them under your broiler or air fryer for a few minutes. They are perfection I tell you!

    Lets start with a few basic tips:

    For reference, this is the pressure cooker I have and use for all recipe creations.

    • This is all you need!

    You can even skip the onion if youd rather but even if you dont eat them they add a wonderful flavor.

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    What Makes These Instant Pot Chicken Legs So Good

    • Theyre covered in simple, yet extremely flavorful spices. A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a pinch of black pepper give these chicken legs irresistible flavor.
    • The Instant Pot does all the works! No need to worry about under or over cooking chicken. Simply place in the pot, set for 10 minutes, then return to perfectly cooked Instant Pot chicken legs every time.
    • Its the perfect recipe to throw together for a crowd! My six quart Instant Pot fits 12-15 chicken legs. This is the ideal recipe to cook a large batch of chicken for a large group of people. And because this recipe is so quick and easy, I can have a warm meal on the table in virtually no time.

    How Long Does It Take To Cook Drumsticks In The Instant Pot

    How to Cook Chicken Legs in the Instant Pot~Easy Cooking

    Chicken drumsticks cook in the Instant Pot for 10 minutes on high pressure with a quick release for fresh and 12 minutes with a quick release for frozen chicken.

    I made some yesterday that I had thawed out for about a day and were still semi-frozen. I did them for 11 minutes and they turned out perfectly. A quick release doesnt dry these out, in my experience.

    Read Also: How Long To Pressure Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs

    Want More Ideas For Chicken Dinners

    Use Chicken Recipes to see all the recipes using chicken. You can also check out The Top 20 Instant Pot Chicken Dinners or Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Recipes for more tasty options for chicken.

    Instant Pot Chicken Adobo from Manila Spoon is a classic Adobo thats marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and garlic then cooked in the instant pot.

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken from Diethood is going to be a hit with everyone who loves spicy Buffalo Chicken.

    Slow Cooker Adobo Chicken from Cookin Canuck is perfect for a delicious slow cooker version of this classic Filipino dish.

    Instant Pot Honey Teriyaki Drumsticks from Skinnytaste definitely sound like a recipe the family will devour!

    Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks from Flavor the Moments use Thai Sweet Chili Sauce for so much flavor!

    How Do You Make Instant Pot Mongolian Chicken Drumsticks

  • Sauce: First, combine the sauce ingredients in a large bowl and add the mixture to the bottom of the pot.
  • Add meat: After that, add the chicken into the sauce mixture, preferably in one layer, so the meat is covered in the sauce.
  • Pressure cook: Next, pressure cook for 15 minutes on high pressure.
  • Natural pressure release: One donee cooking, do a 10-minute natural pressure release.
  • Quick pressure release: Afterward, release the remaining pressure with a quick release by opening the valve.
  • Broil: To make the top of the. chicken crispy place it on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes.
  • Saute function: In the meantime, select the saute setting on your pressure cooker and add the cornstarch slurry to the pot to thicken the sauce.
  • Serve: Serve the meat with white rice, the sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
  • Also Check: How To Reheat Tamales In Instant Pot

    How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks In An Instant Pot

    Here is the recipe for cooking chicken drumsticks in an Instant Pot and all you need is 15-30 minutes to cook and another 5 minutes for dressing and preparing it. This American dish is ideal to be have had in lunch and dinner with your family or colleagues. Follow the instructions given below to prepare lip-smacking chicken drumsticks for yourself and your dear ones.

  • Put about a ¾ cup of water in the Instant Pot and add the trivet inside it.
  • Carefully place every piece of the chicken legs over the trivet.
  • Once all the chicken pieces have been placed, tightly close the lid of the pot and also dont forget to close the vent.
  • Press the Poultry button on the Instant Pot and depending on the number of pieces you have cooked set the time somewhere between 20-25 minutes.
  • Switch on the oven and preheat the oven to broil. Once it is preheated, place a cookie sheet with parchment paper inside it.
  • Once the timer goes off, release the pressure out of the pot naturally by opening the lid of the machine.
  • Take the drumsticks out of it one piece at a time.
  • Now apply BBQ coats over the drumsticks evenly on all sides.
  • Put the chicken drumsticks over the lined up cookie sheet. Set the drumsticks to broil in the oven for 2 minutes on each side or until the skin of the chicken pieces turns brown. However, ensure that you do not burn the pieces.
  • Your chicken drumsticks are now ready to be served. You could also grill some vegetables along with it or make a sauce to add to the taste.
  • Enjoy!

    How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks In Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

    1) Prep, clean and pat chicken dry with kitchen towel.

    2) Make the dry spice rub by mixing paprika, onion powder, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper and salt together. Add spice rub to the chicken and mix well.

    Leave chicken to marinate for 30 minutes – 12 hours

    3) Set instant pot to sautee then add vegetable oil in the inner pot of the instant pot.

    4) When oil is heated, add marinated chicken drumsticks in single layer and brown the sides. This takes about 2-3 minutes on each side.

    5) When the sides are browned, take the drumsticks out of the Instant pot and put them in a plate. Switch off IP saute mode.

    6) Add water or chicken broth to the inner pot and place trivet in the pot. Arrange chicken drumsticks on trivet then close the Instant pot with it’s lid.

    7) Set to manual pressure cook 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, do 5 minutes natural pressure release.

    8) Once the instant pot is depressurised, open the lid and take out chicken drumsticks.

    For crispy skin, broil in the oven on each side for 5 minutes each

    9) Serve and enjoy.

    VARIATION

    INSTANT POT BUFFALO CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

    Add some buffalo sauce to chicken after step 8 then broil. Add some more buffalo sauce after broiling, mix with the chicken and serve. Buffalo sauce recipe in my instant pot chicken wings recipe.

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    Can You Stack Chicken Legs In Instant Pot

    You can definitely stack the chicken legs on top of each other in the Instant Pot! You will want to make sure that you make sure that the chicken legs are evenly seasoned before stacking them. This will make sure that the taste is even with every chicken leg you have and that the bottom layer isnt oversaturated.

    Can You Cook Chicken Drumsticks From Frozen

    Absolutely. But do note, that you want to cook your frozen chicken drumsticks on a medium temperature, or pressure cook them.

    Otherwise you can end up with dry overcooked chicken drumsticks.

    Plus, never cook frozen chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker as it doesnt get hot enough to fight off the bacteria.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Legs

    • Method 1 using enchilada sauce
    • Recipe 2 using barbecue sauce
    • 3rd recipe is chicken adobo Instant Pot style

    Both of them have the ability to be as mild or as spicy as you want.

    I will show you how to crisp up the chicken skin once your Instant Pot chicken legs are cooked.

    When you have a family it is sometimes hard to make a healthy meal that everyone loves, but drumsticks are a favorite among most kids and many times they are really inexpensive at the store.

    I say if I can feed my family of five for under $15 it is a win, and this pressure cooker chicken dinner is one of those..I share my others in this post with lots of cheap Instant Pot recipes.

    How To Make The Perfect Instant Pot Gravy

    Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks! Best you will ever have!

    Making homemade gravy from chicken drippings in the Instant Pot is SO easy!

  • Start with roast chicken drippings. Pour the drippings from under the chicken drumsticks into a glass measuring cup or bowl and let the fat rise to the top.
  • Skim the fat. Spoon off most or all of the fat, and return the drippings to the Instant Pot set to sauté mode.
  • Make a flour slurry. Mix some flour and water together in a bowl until no lumps remain and add it to the chicken drippings. This will thicken the gravy. Just be sure to cook the gravy for several minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
  • Add some wine. Add a splash of white wine for flavour as the gravy thickens and reduces. This is an optional step, so if you dont consume alcohol just leave out this step, or add a few drops of Worcestershire sauce instead for a more savoury flavour.
  • Season well. Season it to taste with salt and pepper, and add a dash of smoked paprika for flavour .
  • Strain it! Always strain gravy to prevent lumps and remove any chunks or impurities left over from the chicken.
  • Add some butter. Stir in a tablespoon of butter after straining for the perfect, velvety smooth gravy! This is the BEST homemade gravy trick ever!!
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    How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks In The Electric Pressure Cooker

    One of the things I have less and less time for right now is cooking. With a growing family, writing this in my second trimester of pregnancy, I am way too exhausted to think about pulling together dinner at the end of a long day.

    But though my husband helps a ton , sometimes I still feel the urge to get into the kitchen to cook a nice meal for us.

    He deserves something delicious, and even though I might not be making the same fancy meals I was a few months ago, I think its the least I can do in exchange for all the foot rubs.

    Thats when I turn to my Instant Pot for a helping hand.

    I mean, Ive gone through all the different ways to cook pretty much anything in the pressure cooker at this point. Yet, I am still amazed every single time at just how consistent and quick it is.

    Today, we are talking about how to cook chicken drumsticks in the electric pressure cooker. We all know this appliance is downright magical, and this how-to guide offers yet another reason why.

    Talk about a super simple way to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes! The meat comes out juicy and tender, with just the right amount of flavor from a simple homemade seasoning blend.

    I love that I can get the poultry cooked in just one pot, making it simple to clean up afterwards as well. Then I can focus on some simple side dishes at the same time.

    Heres what well cover in this guide:

    Pressure Cook And Serve

    • Layer Chicken: Now, layer the seared chicken drumsticks on top of the potatoes. DO NOT mix or stir.
    • Pressure cook: Secure the lid of the instant pot and PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for just 4 mins followed by quick release.
    • Serve: Serve the pressure cooked chicken drumsticks and potatoes in a plate and pour the sauce over the chicken and the potatoes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!

    Also Check: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot

    Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Drumsticks In Instant Pot

    Yes you can. Though do note that frozen chicken drumsticks dont come out as firm compared to air fryer chicken drumsticks.

    Instead instant pot chicken drumsticks are more like slow cooker ones that fall off the bone.

    Then you will need an air fryer lid to crisp up your chicken drumsticks. This will ensure that they are perfectly crispy.

    I have eaten many rounds of frozen chicken drumsticks in both the air fryer and the instant pot and the instant pot ones are better. This is because of how tender the meat becomes.

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