How To Cook Chicken Legs In Instant Pot

Instant Pot Is A Game Changer

We rarely have time to stand over the stove and fry anything around here but everyone loves chicken drumsticks. The instant pot is the solution! I learned that you can easily make the best chicken legs in the instant pot drumsticks this way with hardly any work at all. The pressure cooker does all the work.

Once they are finished cooking, simple put them in the oven for a few minutes to broil them. This will give you that amazing crispy outside everyone loves without any of the work of frying!

Everyone devoured these and now this is the only way I make them. This recipe is so easy and delicious.

How To Make Garlic Chicken Legs In An Electric Pressure Cooker

Cris here.

Does your family insist on dinner every night like mine does? I dont know about you, but after a long day I sometimes just need a simple recipe that I can count on to turn out great every time.

So the other day when I totally forgot to put on our Crock Pot Garlic Chicken Thighs in time for supper, I decided to give it a try in my instant pot. Then I realized I was out of thighs and had chicken drumsticks instead. And that is how Instant Pot Garlic Chicken Legs were born.

Since that day we have made this as a quick low carb dinner several times and everyone always loves it. This is also one of those recipes that my family actually eats the leftovers, so it has become a regular on our menu.

Instant Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

Chicken Leg Quarters are not only delicious, but they are also economical and easy to make when cooked in your Instant Pot.

Every time that we go to the grocery store, we are always shocked at how inexpensive chicken leg quarters are. You can get a lot of meat for very little cost per pound.

However, the only real way to get them to cook properly is by roasting them in the oven. And that unfortunately, takes a long time.

So instead, we began to grill our chicken leg quarters. Although the chicken has great flavor when cooked on the grill, it is very difficult to get the end result perfectly cooked.

Either the meat is undercooked in the center or the thinner portions are so dried out that they are difficult to chew.

So instead, we now use our Instant Pot to make Chicken Leg Quarters.

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Notes On Instant Pot Garlic Chicken Legs

• This is an adaptation of our Crock Pot Garlic Chicken Thighs.
• We have tested this recipe in both our Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi, but you can use any 6 quart electric pressure cooker.
• If you are using a larger electric pressure cooker, you may need to add additional liquid to reach pressure.
• Looking for more recipes? Our Recipe Finder can help you find exactly what you need.
• Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in our .
• As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly. As a result, your nutritional content depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish. The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
• Finally, all electric pressure cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes should always be tested first in your own electric pressure cooker and time adjusted as needed.

Make Homemade Bbq Sauce:

You can certainly use store bought BBQ sauce but it is very simple to learn how to make homemade barbecue sauce with very little effort! If you like more of a sweet barbecue sauce, add a little brown sugar to the slow cooker chicken.

Chicken drumstick recipes can be prepared so easily and without much work. We love this meal and have fun trying different variations. We have even cut up chicken breast or used regular chicken legs with this recipe. Chicken thighs are also delicious.

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Smoked Paprika Vs Regular Paprika

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!

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

We have used this method over and over again and it turns out perfect every time!

You must first decided if you want to season your leg quarters or not. If you are using a dry rub, season before putting them in the Instant Pot.

If you are more of a barbecue sauce person, you can add the sauce either at the beginning or at the end of the cooking process.

Before cooking, remove the chicken from the refrigerator at least 20 minutes before placing them in the multicooker.

Although this isnt absolutely necessary if you are short on time. However, it helps the pot come to pressure quicker than if you start with cold chicken.

When you are ready to cook your chicken leg quarters, place 1 cup of water in the liner of the Instant Pot.

Then place the trivet down in the water. Next, place the chicken leg quarters stacked sideways, with the leg facing the top of the pot.

Lock the lid in place and pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes.

Remember, from a timing standpoint to allow time for the pot to come to pressure.

Then when the cook time is up, allow for the pot to Naturally Release Pressure for 8 minutes.

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A Good Instant Pot Is A Must

I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. I personally have an Instant Pot and so far I am loving it. Its really changed dinner time around here.

If you have been putting off trying an instant pot, I highly recommend going ahead and biting the bullet. I love using the pressure cooker when I dont have much time. It is perfect for frozen food or meals that normally take a while. You can toss everything in and have dinner ready in no time at all.

Those days when you forget to take something out of the freezer or wait until the last minute for dinner, the instant pot is your saving grace. I am not exaggerating when I say it truly has changed meal time around here. We love ours and it makes soup recipes even easier.

You can also these Instant Pot Accessories to make pressure cooking a breeze. We just love to pressure cook and I am certain you will too. Dinner time is much easier and less complicated now that I have the pressure cooker. If you are hesitant or on the fence, dont be.

No worries if you do not have a pressure cooker yet. You can make Crock Pot Drumsticks for a delicious meal idea.

How To Make Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Prep the chicken legs and season with salt and black pepper.

Turn on your instant pot and push the saute button, add olive oil and leave until hot. What the oil starts shimmering or instant pot reads hot, add the chicken legs skin side down and brown until the skin is browned and crispy repeat the same for the other side . Please be careful as the chicken would splatter if it gets out of hand, reduce the saute function to less from more. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside

Reduce the oil in the pan, still continuing on the sautefunction, add chopped onions and saute until soft, add the chopped garlic and cookfor a few seconds then add the butter and stir until it melts in the pan.

Add lemon zest, Italian seasoning, lemon juice and broth andstir to combine whilst you deglaze the pot at the same time. Return the chickenlegs into the pot, you can stack them if need be.

Lock the lid of the IP to safety, turning the valve to theseal position. Select the manual or pressure cook button and cook the chickenon high pressure for 15 minutes , after thecooking cycle is completed do a 5 minutes natural pressure release thencarefully do a quick release.

Open the lid and spoon the pan sauce on the chicken and serveas desired. If you want a crispy skin, broil the chicken for another 5 minutesand serve.

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Why Cook Chicken In An Instant Pot

• Its fast and easy!
• It keeps chicken moist instead of drying it out because its cooked with liquid .
• Makes meal prep super easy so you can prepare lots of chicken for a week of meals.
• Its a hand-off cooking method, so you dont have to constantly check if its done.
• You can cook frozen chicken fast, no thawing required.
• An easy way to cook chicken to prep for shredding or dicing.

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Legs Recipe

Back to my instant pot lemony chicken legs or quarters as also called is basically the part of the chicken that consist of chicken thighs and drumsticks together. These chicken parts would cook differently in a pressure cooker but if you are using the leg then the cooking time would be subjected to the thickest part of the chicken, in this case, the thighs. that way you are sure the chicken is safe to eat without further broiling or baking.

Unlike this instant pot chicken thighs that were cooked on a trivet, this chicken legs recipe is cooked in chicken broth, spices and aromatics. This cooking method works perfectly with frozen chicken, while the chicken thaws and cook in the pressure cooker, it soaks up all the garlicky lemony flavour from the marinade. Although it takes longer to cook than fresh chicken, you end up with a great tasting fall off the bone chicken

Frozen chicken typically would take between 4 hours or overnight to thaw, thanks to the pressure cooker, you can have this instant pot chicken legs on the table in less than 45 minutes. All you need is add 10 minutes to time this recipe called for. Please note that if using frozen chicken, you wont be able to brown it before cooking.

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Why Youll Love Making Instant Pot Chicken Legs

Can I Stack Chicken In An Instant Pot

Ideally, no. Butyes.

Placing chicken in the pressure cooker in a single layer will give you the best results to make sure its evenly-cooked. However, this limits how many pieces of chicken you can cook at once.

If were going by total amount, you can certainly fit more chicken with stacking . Just be aware that you may need to increase cooking time if you do this, and be sure to check internal temp.

If you are using frozen chicken, keep it to a single layer, no stacking.

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How To Make Fresh Chicken Thighs In An Instant Pot

Cooking perfect Instant Pot chicken thighs is a no-brainer. Check out the recipe overview below:

• Trim and Season Chicken: Trim any excess fat and skin from your chicken thighs. Massage the seasoning all over the thighs until they are completely coated.
• Brown the Chicken and Onions: On the sauté setting, brown the outside of the chicken thighs. Remove the chicken. Cut onion into half rings and sauté in the brown bits leftover from browning the chicken.
• Pressure Cook Chicken: Return the chicken to the Instant Pot, nestling the thighs on top of the onions. Seal and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Allow the chamber to have a natural release for an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

The Best Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Legs

Published: · · About 6 minutes to read this article.

The Best Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Legs recipe – easy chicken legs covered in BBQ sauce – from frozen recipe included too!

Crispy, crunchy, juicy chicken legs covered in BBQ sauce are one of my favorite easy meals – they are full of flavor, can be made keto, and are everyone’s favorite finger food meals.

My Crunchy Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe has been viral at Sweet C’s for years – but I am constantly asked if the chicken drumsticks can be made from frozen.

If you’re planning a chicken leg dinner, but don’t have time to defrost, this Instant Pot Chicken Leg recipe is for you – because you can make it with chicken legs right out of the freezer, no thawing required!

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Using Other Cuts Of Chicken

You can use this recipe to cook other pieces of chicken, such as thighs or breasts.

For BBQ chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, cook for 9 minutes at high pressure and finish with a quick pressure release.

For chicken breasts, cook at high pressure for 6 minutes, then finish with a quick pressure release.

How To Cook Chicken Thighs In The Instant Pot :

Set instant pot to saute setting. Add oil. Season chicken with desired seasonings. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until skin is crispy brown. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Add 1 cup of liquid to the bottom of the instant pot, scraping up any browned bites that have stuck from searing the skin.

Place trivet inside and add chicken thighs on top. Place lid on the instant pot and make sure the vent is set to sealed.

Pressure cooking times for fresh and frozen thighs:

• Boneless Thighs: Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes for fresh or 12 minutes for frozen thighs.
• Bone-in Thighs: Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes for fresh, or 15 minutes for frozen thighs.

Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.

If desired, test chicken with a thermometer it should reach 165 degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Store leftover cooked chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Also Check: Instant Pot Frozen Pork Chops

How To Make Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Legs

This BBQ Chicken Legs recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

This simple recipe calls for just seven simple ingredients. Garlic powder, chili powder, and red pepper flakes add a bit of heat to the legs before cooking. To finish off the dish, coat the cooked chicken in your favorite barbecue sauce to coat the chicken legs.

To get the sticky, caramelized coating on your chicken legs after pressure cooking, finish the legs on a grill. You can also do this in the oven under the broiler. If you use a broiler, be sure to keep a close eye on the chicken and turn the legs frequently to prevent burning.

What Setting Do You Cook Chicken On In An Instant Pot

Instructions

Read Also: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

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.

Instant Pot Garlic Chicken Legs

• This is an adaptation of our Crock Pot Garlic Chicken Thighs.
• We have tested this recipe in both our Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi, but you can use any 6 quart electric pressure cooker.
• If you are using a larger electric pressure cooker, you may need to add additional liquid to reach pressure.
• Looking for more recipes? Our Recipe Finder can help you find exactly what you need.
• Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in our .
• As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly. As a result, your nutritional content depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish. The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
• Finally, all electric pressure cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes should always be tested first in your own electric pressure cooker and time adjusted as needed.

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