Quick & Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Succulent instant pot chicken drumsticks can turn an ordinary dinner into a delightful culinary adventure.
Hearty protein meets effortless cooking with this simple method.
Tender meat falls right off the bone, creating a meal that feels like a warm hug.
Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
Zero complicated techniques mean you can whip up a satisfying dish faster than ordering takeout.
Juicy, seasoned drumsticks emerge perfectly cooked, promising a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Let’s dive into this foolproof recipe that makes cooking feel like a breeze.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks That Save You Time
Pressure-Cooked Chicken Drumstick Seasonings
Meat Protein:Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:Cooking Liquid and Support:Instructions for Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Step 1: Prepare Drumsticks
Grab your chicken drumsticks and give them a delicious flavor boost.
Massage the drumsticks with olive oil, then sprinkle on a magical blend of seasonings:Coat each drumstick thoroughly, ensuring every inch gets some love.
Step 2: Crisp Up the Exterior
Fire up your Instant Pot’s Sauté mode and add a splash of olive oil.
When the pot is hot and sizzling, gently place the drumsticks inside.
Brown each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden crust.
Transfer the drumsticks to a nearby plate.
Step 3: Create Flavor Base
Pour chicken broth into the Instant Pot.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom – this is where the extra flavor magic happens!
Step 4: Pressure Cook to Perfection
Set up your Instant Pot for success:Step 5: Release and Rest
When the timer sounds, quickly release the pressure by turning the valve to venting.
Open the lid and gently remove the drumsticks using tongs.
Step 6: Serve with Flair
Transfer the juicy drumsticks to a serving platter.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra freshness.
Enjoy your tender, flavorful chicken straight from the Instant Pot!
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FAQs
The trivet prevents the chicken from sitting directly in the liquid, allowing it to steam and cook evenly without becoming soggy, which helps maintain the meat’s texture and prevents it from becoming waterlogged.
While searing is optional, it adds a delicious golden-brown color and enhances the flavor by creating a beautiful caramelized exterior on the drumsticks, making the final dish more appetizing and flavorful.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the drumstick. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and perfectly cooked through.
The Instant Pot cooks drumsticks quickly and keeps them incredibly tender and juicy, reducing cooking time compared to traditional oven methods while locking in maximum flavor and moisture.
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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks bring tender, juicy meat infused with bold spices in mere minutes. Crispy-skinned drumsticks emerge perfectly seasoned, offering a delightful meal you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 8 chicken drumsticks (skin-on or skinless)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic powder
Liquid:
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth or water
Garnish:
- Optional: fresh parsley
Instructions
- Infuse the drumsticks with a harmonious blend of seasonings by massaging olive oil into the meat, then generously coating with a sophisticated mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function, creating a sizzling surface with a touch of olive oil, and strategically brown the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes on each side to develop a golden, crisp exterior.
- Deglaze the pot with chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to liberate the caramelized flavor fragments clinging to the bottom.
- Position the metal trivet inside the Instant Pot, carefully arranging the seasoned drumsticks atop the elevated platform to ensure even cooking.
- Secure the lid, align the steam release valve to sealing position, and initiate a high-pressure cooking cycle for precisely 12 minutes, allowing the intense heat to transform the chicken into tender, succulent morsels.
- Upon completion, swiftly release the pressure by shifting the valve to venting, creating an immediate steam escape.
- Extract the drumsticks with culinary precision, transferring them to a serving platter and optionally adorning with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Seasoning Boost: Marinate drumsticks overnight in buttermilk or yogurt for extra tenderness and deeper flavor penetration.
- Crispy Skin Hack: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum browning and crispiness during searing.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular spices with low-sodium alternatives or use herb blends like Italian or Cajun seasoning for varied taste profiles.
- Temperature Safety: Always verify internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to guarantee safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Daniel Bruns
Founder & Culinary Innovator
Expertise
Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis
Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.