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Home > 30 Minutes Meals > Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

By: Imsen | Posted: December 18, 2022 | Updated: March 6, 2023 | 10 Comments

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This is probably The BEST Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe ever! The result is juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken that is moist and flavorful, thanks in large part to the Instant Pot’s magic. Seasoned with a dry rub and smothered with a nice bbq sauce on top! This is just pure heaven.

Looking for another effortless chicken dinner recipe? check my Instant Pot Chicken Tenders, and Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas or you can try my ultimate Quick & Easy Gouda Mac and Cheese for a perfect weeknight!

close-up of chicken drumsticks on white dish

Why You’ll Love Making These Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

When I need to have dinner on the table quickly, I usually turn to my trusty Instant Pot!

These Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are simple to prepare and turn out precisely every time. Just what you need after a long day!

It’s ideal for days when I have a lot on my plate and need to get supper on the table fast, as well as days when I forget to defrost the chicken! This recipe can be made with frozen chicken.

Life. Saver.

seasoned chicken drumsticks in instant pot

What You’ll Need

This is just an overview of the ingredients needed to make the recipe, the full detailed list and steps are down below in the recipe card.

The chicken legs covered in the dry rub seasoning

  • Paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper 
  • Chicken drumsticks – For this Instant Pot chicken meal, you’ll need roughly 10 pieces. I usually allow about two pieces for each adult.
  • Olive oil and butter – These two fats work together to brown the outside of the chicken legs. The butter adds a lot of flavors and the oil has less saturated fat. It also provides for an excellent sear while avoiding burning.
  • Chicken stock or water – This will generate steam during the pressure cooking process. Although it never directly touches the chicken, it contributes moisture and taste. This liquid can be strained and thickened later to make a lovely gravy.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Collage of four images showing how to cook the instant pot chicken drumsticks

  • Combine paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Season the chicken on all sides with the seasoning.
  • In the Instant Pot, place the drumsticks on a trivet.
  • Pour the broth over everything.
  • Set the pressure cooker on high. Release.
  • Toss the drumsticks in the barbecue sauce.
  • Cook for 5 minutes in the oven.
  • Toss another time in bbq sauce and Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

  • For Crispy Skin. to get that nice golden and crispy skin, just put some oil on top of the chicken drumsticks and a noisette de beurre (butter) and transfer everything to a baking sheet and to the oven over high heat for a few minutes. Thank me later!
  • Size of the instant pot. The dish can be made in either a 6 or an 8-quart Instant Pot.
  • The number of drumsticks. You can cut the recipe in half if you have fewer drumsticks. You can also create more while keeping the cooking time the same.
  • Beautifully browned. Don’t scrimp on the butter and oil for the first browning. As you may expect, the butter adds a lot of taste, but if you use it on its own, it may burn. Because of the oil, it can cook for a bit longer.

Seasoning Variations

Each time you make this delectable recipe, change up the dry rub. Every time, it’s like eating a whole different dish!

Alternatively, omit the dry rub. Season with salt and pepper to begin, then brush with BBQ sauce before finishing in the oven, as I did.

8 cooked chicken drumsticks on a white plate and parsley on top

How long do you put drumsticks in the Instant Pot?

In the Instant Pot, cook the chicken drumsticks for 10 minutes under high pressure. It will take about 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach high pressure before cooking. After that, broil them in the oven for a few minutes per side to get them nice and crispy!

Ways to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Drumstick

Drumsticks are naturally kid-friendly since they are enjoyable to pick up and eat with your hands. They’ll like having a selection of sauces to dip their chicken in. So think about serving them with buffalo sauce. or with some herb-roasted potatoes.

Can you Make Them Ahead of Time?

If you want to be ahead of the game, season the chicken drumsticks a day ahead of time and store them in the fridge covered. Leftovers can be stored for up to 4 days.

Can you Reheat Them?

You may eat any leftover cooked drumsticks cold; they make a terrific quick lunch when shredded over a salad. You can alternatively reheat them in the oven at 325°F for about 25 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.

More Delicious Easy Recipes :

  • Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Artichokes
  • Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup
  • Instant Pot Fried Rice
  • Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
close-up of chicken drumsticks on white dish

Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

These Instant Pot chicken Drumsticks are a must-try recipe! They come out wonderfully juicy and ready to serve in 20 minutes after being seasoned with spices and covered in BBQ sauce.
4.93 from 14 votes
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Course: Appetizer, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Broiling: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Imsen
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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Chicken Drumsticks
  • 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups chicken stock

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix all the spices to form a dry rub seasoning.
  • Season all the chicken drumsticks with the dry rub.
  • Put all the drumsticks in the trivet of the instant pot.
  • Pour the broth over the chicken drumsticks, and cook for 15 minutes under high pressure.
  • After that release the pressure valve, and wait for another 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet with cooking paper on top. Rub with your favorite bbq sauce.
  • Drizzle with the olive oil on top, and butter to give it that crispy skin.
  • Transfer to the oven set to 550F, and cook for 5 minutes, to give it that nice golden crispy skin on top.
  • When it's done, toss with more bbq sauce on top and serve with a dish of french fries alongside your favorite ketchup or mayo!

Recipe Notes

  • Broiling and sauce are both optional. The texture is nicer when grilled, but the drumsticks are acceptable straight from the instant pot.
  • Storing. Refrigerate them in an airtight jar for up to 2 days when they have totally cooled. Transfer to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • If you're using frozen drumsticks, increase the cooking time by 10 minutes.
  • The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Refrigerate overnight before reheating as usual.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Amount per Serving
Calories
150
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Cholesterol
 
73
mg
24
%
Sodium
 
443
mg
19
%
Potassium
 
183
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
175
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
13
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Follow @ambitiousfoodieblog on Instagram, take a shot, and tag it #ambitiousfoodieblog! I love to see what you are making!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katherine

    January 25, 2023 at 1:41 PM

    5 stars
    SO succulent in the IP! I love the seasonings.

    Reply
    • Imsen

      January 25, 2023 at 2:04 PM

      5 stars
      thanks for your comment! 🙂 glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Carrie Robinson

    January 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM

    5 stars
    These look absolutely delicious! And bonus points for being made using the instant pot. 🙂

    Reply
    • Imsen

      January 25, 2023 at 2:04 PM

      5 stars
      yeah, the instant pot makes it much much more easier to make!

      Reply
  3. traci

    January 25, 2023 at 2:23 PM

    5 stars
    These Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are so easy! We make them all the time. Can’t go wrong and everyone loves them! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Imsen

      January 25, 2023 at 2:46 PM

      5 stars
      so glad you liked them! 😀

      Reply
  4. Stephanie

    January 25, 2023 at 2:33 PM

    5 stars
    i love the way these drumsticks turned out! I did the trick with the butter before popping them in the oven and it was definitely a game changer.

    Reply
    • Imsen

      January 25, 2023 at 2:47 PM

      5 stars
      yes! this is my very first time making those drumsticks and it turns out magnificent! happy you liked them too!!

      Reply
  5. Tara

    January 25, 2023 at 2:42 PM

    5 stars
    Oooh, these drumsticks look so good. I love the flavor from the paprika and how easily they come together in the instant pot.

    Reply
    • Imsen

      January 25, 2023 at 2:47 PM

      5 stars
      the instant pot makes it very easy and no brainer!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Imsen!

I am the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you’re wondering what’s for dinner, you’ve come to the right place.

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