Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 lb Chicken Drumsticks (About 10 drumsticks); 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 cup Chicken Broth (or water); 1 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Onion Powder; 2 tbsp Brown Sugar; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 2 tsp Italian Seasoning; 1 tsp Salt; 2 tsp Chili Powder

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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks are fall off the bone tender, so easy to make and full of flavor! When you can't get outside to barbecue chicken drumsticks, use your Instant Pot!

A plate is full of the Instant Pot Drumsticks

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When I first made this recipe, my whole family loved it! I really should have doubled or tripled the recipe with how much they ate! It is so full of flavor and the chicken drumsticks stay so moist and tender, they couldn't believe it!

Now, whenever my grocery store has chicken drumsticks on sale, I always grab a package or two and freeze them. That way, I can make this quick and easy weeknight dinner any night of the week!

Don't forget to check out these other Instant Pot chicken recipes!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It comes together quickly! Chicken drumsticks usually take a good amount of time. A lot of time, people will tell you to boil the chicken before cooking or barbecuing the chicken. This recipe comes together in less than a half hour!
It's hard to overcook! Because the Instant Pot is actually steaming the chicken, it is keeping moisture in the chicken. That means it is very unlikely that you will overcook the chicken and you'll have perfectly cooked chicken each time you make this recipe!
All you need are a few simple ingredients! I've given a recipe for a dry rub, but if you have one you love using, use that! You really only need chicken, a rub, and some water for this delicious chicken leg recipe!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Drumsticks

Chicken legs- You'll want 2 pounds, or 10 drumsticks.
Spices- Turmeric, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and chili powder are used in the dry rub.
Chicken broth- You can also use water. The liquid will be used to steam the chicken legs while they cook in the Instant Pot.

Using Frozen Drumsticks

If you only have frozen drumsticks, you can still make this recipe! Simply, increase the cooking time to 20 minutes instead of 12 minutes. You can use the same dry rub and the same directions, you would just need to increase the cooking time.

An overhead shot of the Instant Pot drumsticks.

Equipment You'll Need

How To Make Instant Pot Drumsticks

In a large bowl, mix together the dry rub.
Add the drumsticks to the large bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon so all the drumsticks are covered in the dry rub.

The seasoning blend is added to a bowl — Mix the dry rub together.

The chicken legs are added to the bowl. — Mix the dry rub together.

Set your Instant Pot to "saute" and let it come to temperature.
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot.
Place the chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot for 2-3 minutes on each side until the skin has browned. Do this in two batches.

The drumsticks are added to the Instant Pot. — Saute the chicken drumsticks.

The drumsticks are sautéing in the instant pot — Saute the chicken drumsticks.

Once all the chicken has been browned, place trivet insert into the Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water or broth to the Instant Pot.
Place all the drumsticks on the top of the trivet. It's ok to overlap them and to lay them on top of one another. They do not have to be in a single layer.
Close the Instant Pot and set the pressure to "High Pressure" for 12 minutes. Make sure the lid is set to "sealing".

Broth is added to the bottom of the Instant Pot — Add the trivet to the Instant Pot.

All the drumsticks are in the Instant Pot. — Add the trivet to the Instant Pot.

After 12 minutes, quick release the pressure.
OPTIONAL STEP- Set your broiler to high. After the pressure has been released, place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and broil them for 2-3 minutes until the skin is crisped to your liking. This will get that crispy skin everyone loves! You can also use the air fryer to crisp of the skin if you don't want to use the broiler.

Tips and Tricks

You'll need a 6 quart or 8-quart Instant Pot for this recipe. Anything smaller and you will not be able to close the lid of the Instant Pot.
The optional step of broiling the drumsticks will crisp up the skins. If you do not like to eat the skin of the chicken, simply skip this step.
It's ok to place all the chicken back in the Instant Pot on top of each other. At this point we are steaming the chicken, so it does not have to be in a single layer.
Use your favorite type of dry rub! If you have a dry rub that you absolutely love, use that one! This is the rub my family loves and I use for a lot of my meat recipes.
The internal temperature of chicken should be 165 degrees. If you are ever concerned about whether your chicken is cooked, use an internal meat thermometer and make sure it hits 165 degrees.

A plate of the Instant Pot drumsticks is on the right side of the frame.

How To Serve Instant Pot Drumsticks

Slather these drumsticks with your favorite BBQ sauce before you place them in the broiler. This will caramelize the barbecue sauce while also crisping the skins.
Make them spicy! Instead of slathering barbecue sauce on the chicken legs, slather them with your favorite buffalo sauce! Everyone loves a good chicken wing, but a buffalo chicken drumstick would be a game changer!
Make it Asian! Slather your chicken legs with teriyaki sauce and serve them over white rice. That would make a delicious and filling meal any night of the week!
Serve these at your next party with air fryer smashed potatoes, chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad, orzo pesto pasta salad, or grilled quinoa salad!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store Instant Pot drumsticks?

If you have any leftover chicken, place the leftover drumsticks in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat drumsticks, place them in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2-3 minutes. You can also place them on a baking sheet and bake them again for 15-20 minutes or until they are heated through.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken legs?

Yes! If you wanted to add some chicken thighs to this you could. Brown the skin with the chicken legs and add them to the Instant Pot.

I got the "Burn Warning" on my Instant Pot, what does that mean?

That means that there is not enough water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. In order to create the steam and to properly cook the chicken, the bottom of the Instant Pot needs to be covered with water. Do not let the water touch the drumsticks though. That will boil the chicken instead of pressure cooking it.

Other Recipes To Try!

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