These Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks are coated in a zesty, homemade BBQ sauce and are the perfect easy dinner or appetizer! Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect dinner or appetizer, and you can make Instant Pot Chicken Legs right alongside them! They're coated in a sweet, zesty homemade BBQ sauce and cooked in the Instant Pot until they're fall-off-the-bone tender.
Chicken Drumsticks are always a great choice for an easy dinner. They're affordable and flavorful, and you can do so much with them, like with this chicken drumsticks instant pot recipe! One of my favorite ways to cook chicken legs and chicken drumsticks is in the Instant Pot, and it's easy to see why with this sweet and zesty recipe.
Why I Love These Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
The Instant Pot is a total game-changer. If you're one of the few people out there who isn't using one, you need to change that! This Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe is so quick and easy to make because the Instant Pot uses pressure to quickly cook these chicken legs until they're so tender the meat falls off the bone.
The homemade BBQ sauce is a huge selling point for me, too. I'm a big believer in making my own BBQ sauce. It's easier to control the flavor and the salt, and I always know what's going in it. This BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy, and a bit zesty - the perfect kind for chicken.
Finally, this is a great recipe for family dinners or for bringing to parties. You can make as many or as few of these chicken legs as you like, so you can feed your family or an army. Or both, depending on how big your family is!
Are you looking for more Easy Dinner Recipes like our Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks?
Check out these easy Dinner recipes on The Rebel Chick if you like recipes like our Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks. I am always adding new recipes, like our recent Dutch Oven Chicken Thighs!
- Barbecue Chicken Flatbread
- Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole
- Mediterranean Flatbread
- Broccoli Rice and Cheese Chicken Casserole
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
To make these chicken legs and Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks, you'll just raid your pantry or head to the grocery store to gather up the ingredients. Then, you'll mix your sauce, coat the chicken, and cook it for just a few minutes. That's it!
This Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe is a marvel of simplicity and deliciousness, and you'll be hooked on it from the first bite!
Ingredients you will need for Instant Pot Chicken
This recipe only takes a few simple ingredients, and you'll most likely have all of them in your kitchen right now. The only thing you might have to shop for is the chicken.
All the ingredients for these chicken legs drumsticks are listed here, but you can find their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Chili powder
- Vegetable oil
- Chicken legs (bone-in)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- White vinegar
- Ketchup
- Molasses
- Worcestershire sauce
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Directions for how to make Instant Pot Chicken
This Instant Pot Chicken recipe only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, and it's so easy even beginners can make it. When you're all done, you'll have sweet, tangy, tender chicken legs that will have everyone coming back for more.
The recipe highlights are right here, but be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of the post for exact instructions.
Brown the chicken legs on all sides in the Instant Pot on sauté.
Sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken legs.
Mix all the wet BBQ sauce ingredients.
Pour the mixture over the chicken legs.
Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure. Quick release the pressure and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations of our Instant Pot Chicken Legs
- Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce if you prefer.
- This recipe can be made with chicken wings or thighs.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Top Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Chicken Legs and Drumsticks
- Be sure your Instant Pot registers "hot" before sauteing the chicken legs to get the best sear.
- Quick-releasing the pressure is key for these chicken legs. They cook so quickly that if you release the pressure naturally, they'll overcook and become mealy.
- Pat your chicken legs dry with a paper towel before sauteing them to reduce spattering and get a better color.
Share these Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks with your friends and family on social media!
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If you do make the recipe, I hope you’ll share that you tried it on Pinterest! I love it SO MUCH when readers share their feedback!
What to make for dessert:
- Applesauce Coffee Cake
- White Chocolate Easter Bark
- Bunny Peeps Smores Dip
- Apple Cinnamon Pie with Cinnamon Rolls
Click the printable recipe card below to print or email this Instant Pot recipe!
I know that many people still like to print out recipes and keep them in a recipe binder, or simply have the printed recipe sitting in front of them when it comes time to cook! You can also email this recipe!
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 chicken legs bone in
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup white vinegar
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat instant pot to sautee. Once instant pot display reads "Hot" add vegetable oil. Carefully place chicken legs into instant pot and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
- Turn off instant pot.
- Mix together garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and chili powder and sprinkle on top of chicken legs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, ketchup, molasses and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour on top of chicken legs.
- Cover and seal shut. Close the pressure release valve. Set the instant pot to manual, high pressure for 12 minutes. When cooking is complete, quick release pressure and carefully open the instant pot.
- Serve chicken hot.
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