Instant pot chicken drumsticks will give you that melt-in-your-mouth kind of moment. There are so many things to love about this recipe; the least is how quick and easy it is to make.
Tasty chicken drumsticks are an excellent choice for a party snack or as the hero in the main meal. They’re also just a really great budget meal.
Some days you get home and need to get a meal on the table as fast as possible. Keep this recipe in the back of your mind because it is that simple and delicious every time.
Why You’ll Love Making Instant Pot Chicken drumsticks
There are so many reasons. It’s tough trying to narrow them down. Chicken drumsticks are pretty simple to cook, but these are fast, thanks to the Instant Pot.
One of the best points about this recipe is that it takes less than half the time to cook with the Instant Pot compared to what it would take in an oven.
The meat falls off the bone with Instant pot chicken. Everyone loves tender chicken, tasting it and talking about how delicate it is. If it’s tender – you’ll hear about it.
The ingredients are easy to find, so there’s no need to hunt around town to get this dish together.
You can cook these in advance and use them for lunch the next day or prepare for a party. I’m crazy about how you can add nearly any flavor combination to these drumsticks. Asian, Italian, Portuguese, Thai…the list is endless.
Ingredients you need
Here is the super simple list of ingredients you’ll need to make my version of this recipe:
For the rub:
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper
For the chicken:
- 10 pieces of chicken drumsticks
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 TBS butter
- 1 cup chicken stock
How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in an Instant Pot
Here are the (almost) too easy steps to cooking my recipe for chicken drumsticks in an Instant Pot:
Step 1
Mix all the spices together in a medium bowl to create a rub.
Step 2
Roll the chicken drumsticks in the seasoning and coat evenly.
Step 3
Turn the Instant Pot onto saute mode, add the oil and butter and allow them to melt together.
Brown the chicken drumsticks for 2 – 3 minutes a side. You want to get the chicken skin a lovely golden-brown color. Cook 2 or 3 drumsticks simultaneously to avoid them steaming in the pot. They will become a beautiful golden color.
Step 4
Add the liquid stock and scrape off any bits stuck to the side. Lay the drumsticks onto a trivet in the Instant Pot. Place the lid securely onto the pot, and turn the vent to seal.
Choose the pressure cook/manual selection and cook for 10 minutes at high pressure. At the end of the cooking cycle, gently release the pressure for around 10 minutes. This is what gives you that “melt-in-your-mouth” chicken.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, thicken it up at this point with a thickening agent of your choice. Flavor and season the sauce, and get ready to serve!
Instant Pot Chicken Legs Cooking Tips & Tricks
- You can use different pieces of chicken to create a varied dish. Try using a pair of juicy drumsticks, breasts, or wings for a change. If the breasts have the bone in, you may need to cook it a little longer.
- While it’s challenging to get the skin to crisp up in the Instant Pot, you can get them nice and brown to get that golden, caramelized goodness. Remember that the fats will give this a lovely brown color, together with the pot’s heat.
- If you’re craving some crispy chicken, try popping the pieces under the grill for a few minutes.
What to serve with chicken drumsticks
The list is endless. Take a hint from the style of rub you use on the meat. If you’re using Italian dried herbs, serve this with a lovely Italian side, such as a pasta salad or polenta. For a Thai-style rub, choose an Asian noodle and a side salad.
If you include garlic, oregano, and dried rosemary then cook up some Greek-style potatoes as a side or if you’re going for a mix of Indian spices then serve your drumsticks with a bowl of turmeric rice.
FAQ
How many drumsticks can you put in an instant pot?
12 is the recommended amount of chicken drumsticks at a maximum. Anything from 2 to 12 is OK to add without increasing the recipe’s cook time.
How much time does it take to cook drumsticks?
It takes roughly 10 minutes to cook chicken drumsticks in the Instant pot, plus the pressure time of another 10 minutes. There aren’t too many chicken dishes (especially chicken on the bone) that’ll take 10 minutes to cook. It’s crazy how satisfying this quick dish is.
Can you overcook chicken in a pressure cooker?
If you don’t set a timer on a pressure cooker, you can overcook chicken! If you follow the recipe, you’ll be fine. Chicken drumsticks are more forgiving than dry chicken breasts because they are on the bone. Don’t worry; you’re more likely to get a melt-in-your-mouth result.
How long do I cook frozen chicken in my Instant Pot?
This depends on the size and weight of the cut of chicken. Whether or not the piece of chicken is bone-in or out also makes a difference. Bone in chicken will need a little longer in the cooker than boneless chicken.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
- 6-8 ounce chicken pieces – cook for about 10 minutes at high pressure, 10 minutes pressure release.
- 9-10 ounce chicken pieces – cook for around 14 minutes at high pressure, 10 minutes pressure release.
- 12-ounces chicken pieces – cook for 16 minutes at high pressure, 10 minutes pressure release.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 10 pieces chicken drumsticks
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 TBS butter
- 1 cup chicken stock
For the rub:
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together in a medium bowl to create a rub.
- Roll the chicken drumsticks in the seasoning and coat evenly.
- Turn the Instant Pot onto saute mode, add the oil and butter and allow them to melt together.
- Brown the chicken drumsticks for 2 – 3 minutes a side. You want to get the chicken skin a lovely golden-brown color. Cook 2 or 3 drumsticks simultaneously to avoid them steaming in the pot. They will become a beautiful golden color.
- Add the liquid stock and scrape off any bits stuck to the side. Lay the drumsticks onto a trivet in the Instant Pot. Place the lid securely onto the pot, and turn the vent to seal.
- Choose the pressure cook/manual selection and cook for 10 minutes at high pressure. At the end of the cooking cycle, gently release the pressure for around 10 minutes. This is what gives you that “melt-in-your-mouth” chicken.
Wrapping it up
This Instant pot chicken recipe will be the life and soul of your parties from now on. It’s game night food, a birthday snack, a family meal, and a dinner for two.
Have a go with this recipe, and let me know if you love it as much as I do!