On the days when I need a simple, speedy, kid-friendly dinner, I always reach for my Instant Pot. It’s one of my most used kitchen appliances, and this Instant Pot chicken drumsticks recipe is one of my family’s favorites. I toss juicy chicken drumsticks in a simple seasoning blend, top with chicken broth, and then cook them under high pressure for just 15 minutes. The result is always perfectly cooked and tender chicken that falls right off the bone!
What’s in this Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe?
A few basic ingredients (that you may already have on hand) come together to make the most delicious and stress-free chicken drumstick dinner.
Chicken: Use fresh or frozen skin-on, bone-in chicken drumsticks for this recipe. Frozen chicken will need 5 minutes extra cooking time. Seasonings: A mix of smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper give these chicken drumsticks plenty of flavor. Chicken Broth: This helps cook the chicken and keeps it juicy! You can use homemade low-sodium chicken broth or store-bought; the choice is yours. BBQ Sauce: This is optional but highly recommended. Use your favorite BBQ sauce (mine is honey BBQ sauce), or make your own from scratch.
Variations to Try
You can use whatever seasonings you have to hand for this recipe. Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper would all be delicious! Also, I love coating these chicken drumsticks in BBQ sauce, but you could also use buffalo sauce, teriyaki sauce, or honey mustard – whatever you’re in the mood for! We also love Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks!
How to Store and Reheat
You can keep any leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat in the oven at 400°F or an air fryer at 375°F until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Let your Instant Pot chicken drumsticks fully cool to room temperature before freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Notes and Tips
I always let my chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving/coating it in BBQ sauce. It helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken extra juicy. You must use a trivet in your Instant Pot; otherwise, the chicken will burn. Tossing in BBQ sauce and broiling are both optional. You can toss in the BBQ sauce without broiling, the same way you can serve them straight from the Instant Pot without any BBQ sauce. It’s up to you! Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Step by Step
Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Add 5 pounds of chicken drumsticks to the bowl and toss to coat with the seasoning mixture. “Excellent & easy!” – Deborah Green Cook the Chicken: Add a trivet to your Instant Pot and place the chicken on top. Pour 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth over the chicken, seal the cooker, and set to HIGH pressure for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes if the chicken is frozen). Once the time is done, release the valve and let the pressure release. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before moving on to the next step or serving. Add BBQ Sauce (optional): You can serve your Instant Pot chicken drumsticks as is, but I like to add some BBQ sauce. Add the cooked chicken drumsticks to a bowl and coat with your favorite BBQ sauce. Use as much or as little sauce as you’d like! Broil the Chicken (optional): This is another optional step. Broiling caramelizes the BBQ sauce on the chicken and adds a delicious charred flavor – so while optional, I highly recommend it. Set your broiler to 550°F and place the chicken drumsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Broil for 2-4 minutes or until browned. If using, toss in a little more BBQ sauce before serving.
More Chicken Drumsticks Recipes We Love
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks Baked Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Easy Chicken Adobo
