Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks is an anytime meal that’s incredibly fast and easy to cook. They come out juicy, tender, delicious and are on the table in a flash.

» Also try cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. You will be amazed at how good it is!

Chicken drumsticks are inexpensive and easy to make. If you have an Instant Pot, you know how quick the process is. If you don’t yet have an Instant Pot, look over this post to see the benefits and reasons I think it’s the best tool in my kitchen.

Drumsticks need to cook for at least 45 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees. During the summer that’s just not something I’m prepared to do. It heats up the house so much. No thanks.

In the Instant Pot, it takes just 10 minutes, plus the pressurizing time. In just 25 minutes, dinner is ready and the house is still nice and cool.

This Instant Pot recipe is so simple, but it results in the most tender chicken drumsticks. You can crisp them under the broiler if you want, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Why Use An Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.

If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.

• Don’t Have an Instant Pot Yet? This guide can help you choose the right one.
• See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
• Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
• Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.

How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Instant Pot

You’ll need the trivet that came with the Instant Pot. If you don’t have one, you can set the chicken directly in the pot. I like the texture of the chicken more when it’s on the trivet. It’s more tender and less dense.

Pour a cup of hot chicken broth (or just plain hot water) into the base of the pot. Add the trivet. Then place the drumsticks evenly on the trivet. You can stack them up, if necessary.

Close the lid and seal the vent. Press the “pressure cook” button and set the time to 10 minutes. After this, allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.

At this point, you can serve the drumsticks as is. They are nicely seasoned and tasty. Or you can brush them with bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, or a glaze, like this delicious honey sriracha sauce, from our sister site.

You can also crisp up the skin in the oven, if you want to. I almost always skip this extra step. It’s just not necessary, in my opinion. Cooking the chicken for longer in the oven isn’t why I choose to use the Instant Pot.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Drumsticks

• You can cook the chicken drumsticks from frozen in the Instant Pot, if you want to. It will take about 2 more minutes to cook, so set the time to 12 minutes.
• You don’t need to increase the pressure cooking time in you’re cooking additional chicken drumsticks. You can cook up to 24 drumsticks at a time without increasing the time.

What to Serve With Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks really do go with just about anything. I think this Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is perfect. You might also try this Instant Pot Asparagus or this easy Instant Pot Macaroni Salad.

If you’d rather add some carbs, try our sweet and tangy Instant Pot Baked Beans, or these easy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.

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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Cooking chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot is an incredibly fast and efficient way to get dinner on the table and they're so tender!

Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot

4.50 from 14 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Pressurize Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 247 kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons dry rub
• 1 cup water adding it hot reduces pressurizing time
• 1/2 cup bbq sauce or glaze if desired

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Coat the chicken drumsticks with dry rub or seasoning.
• Pour 1 cup hot chicken broth or water into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
• Insert the trivet. Place the chicken drumsticks on the trivet. Secure the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Press the pressure cooker button and set the time to 10 minutes.
• When the time is up, allow it to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.
• Brush the drumsticks with glaze or sauce, if desired.

Notes

• You can cook from 2-24 chicken drumsticks at a time in the Instant Pot without increasing the time (as long as you don’t exceed the max fill line.
• If you cook the chicken from frozen, add 2 minutes to the cook time.
• The skin will not be crispy. If you want to crisp it, broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes.
• The drumsticks pictured are coated with honey sriracha sauce from our sister site A Food Lover’s Kitchen.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 27gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 161mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 122IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Chicken

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Laura Lynch

Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.