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This Instant Pot chicken drumsticks recipe is fast and low-effort. The results are moist, fall-apart chicken drumsticks with a gorgeous crisp exterior and layers of savoriness.
As much as we love grilling chicken drumsticks, I dare say we love pressure cooking them even more. It’s just as hands-off as air fryer chicken drumsticks, but the added moisture from the broth makes them even more tender and juicy.
Why I love this recipe
- Low-effort. All I have to do is season the chicken, toss everything in the pressure cooker, and check back in 10 minutes.
- Flexible. The seasonings I listed are just a suggestion. Feel free to experiment with different spice blends or sauces.
- The best leftovers. My favorite thing about dark meat is how the leftovers are just as tender and juicy as on day one, and this recipe is no exception!
If you love cooking chicken in the Instant Pot, try my Instant Pot chicken breast, Instant Pot chicken thighs, Instant Pot whole chicken, and Instant Pot chicken wings next.
Key ingredients
- Bone-in chicken drumsticks. I usually prefer skin-on drumsticks for grilling or air frying, but in this case, you can use skinless drumsticks. They won’t have as crispy an exterior, but they’ll be even more tender.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Smoked paprika and garlic powder. My two favorite spices for versatility and flavor.
- BBQ sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce. I like to use sugar-free BBQ sauce.
- Water (or chicken broth). We need a bit of moisture when cooking in the pressure cooker. I tested both chicken broth and water, and I didn’t notice much difference in flavor.
How to make Instant Pot chicken drumsticks
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Season. Toss the chicken in a bowl with the seasonings.
Step 2- Assemble. Pour the liquid into the pot, place a trivet in it, and add the drumsticks in a single layer.
Step 3- Pressure cook. Seal the lid and cook on High Pressure. Allow for natural pressure release for several minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
Step 4- Serve. Serve the drumsticks warm, tossed in sauce.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Don’t have a steaming rack? That’s okay. It’s technically optional, though I prefer it because it helps prevent sticking.
- Sear the chicken first. I like to sear the chicken in some oil before adding the broth. This is totally optional, but it does add some nice browning.
- Make a gravy. You’ll notice some brown bits stuck to the pot when you remove the chicken. Turn on the Sauté mode and use a spatula to scrape up the brown bits. Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, add this to the liquid, and cook until it thickens. Add more salt to taste and serve with the chicken. If it’s rich enough, you can even skip the BBQ sauce.
Storage instructions
To store: Let the chicken cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To freeze: Wrap the leftover chicken in aluminum foil and freeze it in a freezer bag for 3-4 months. Let it thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes or until warm. Or microwave the chicken in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Frequently asked questions
I’ve found the culprit for tough chicken is overcooking or not letting the pressure cooker naturally release pressure. Manually releasing the pressure causes the liquid to quickly steam, and the lack of moisture makes for tough chicken.
Yes! When done right, using a pressure cooker for chicken is a great way to guarantee juicy, tender meat.
Yes, if you’ve forgotten to defrost chicken drumsticks, just add 5 minutes of cooking time, then naturally release pressure for 5 minutes.
More easy chicken recipes
If you tried this Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the chicken drumsticks with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Pour water or chicken broth into the Instant Pot. If desired, place a trivet or steaming rack inside.
- Add the seasoned drumsticks to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. Let it naturally release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Remove the drumsticks and toss them in BBQ sauce.
Notes
- Use other cuts of chicken. When I can’t find drumsticks, I’ll use chicken thighs or large chicken wings.
- Brown sugar. For a touch of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to the spice mixture. I find this also helps if you’re planning to brown the chicken first.
- Use a spice rub. Swap the spices I listed for your favorite spice rub, or experiment with thyme, oregano, onion powder, or cayenne pepper for some heat.
Arman, I made this last night for an easy dinner and it was sensational. I used half the amount of BBQ sauce.
Wow- I had leftover frozen chicken drumsticks and used them to make this recipe and loved it. I did add an extra 5 minutes because they were frozen. The chicken was soooo moist.