Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are the easiest chicken legs you'll ever make, and they are so juicy and full of flavor! In just 20 minutes you can whip up a delicious chicken drumstick dinner for the whole family. The meat inside stays delightfully tender, while the skin gets perfectly crispy!
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Legs
Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are just as tasty as baked drumsticks in half the time! The pressure cooker keeps the meat moist and juicy while still crisping up the skin perfectly.
Not to mention, this recipe is totally beginner-friendly (even if you are new to the Instant Pot). Nothing beats the winning combination of being easy and delicious!
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🥘 Instant Pot Chicken Legs Ingredients
You only need 4 ingredients for this simple Instant Pot recipe! My chicken, poultry, and BBQ seasonings are simple to make, but you can use your favorite brand if preferred.
- Chicken Drumsticks - 1 pound of drumsticks (5-8 chicken legs).
- Chicken Seasoning - 1 tablespoon of chicken seasoning, poultry seasoning, or BBQ chicken rub (*see note).
- Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Water - 1 cup of water or broth.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Legs
This simple recipe is practically foolproof. Just grab some measuring spoons, your Instant Pot, and a pair of kitchen tongs!
This recipe is for 1 pound of chicken legs, which serves about 4 people. You may get 5 large legs or 8 small ones, so how many you serve per person is up to you.
- Prep. Clean and pat 1 pound of chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
- Season. Rub the chicken legs generously all over with 1 tablespoon of chicken, poultry, or BBQ chicken seasoning.
- Brown the chicken. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom of your Instant Pot and set it to saute. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer and brown the outside for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Prepare to cook. After browning the drumsticks, transfer them to a plate and turn off saute mode. Add 1 cup of water (or broth) and a trivet to the inner pot. Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer on the trivet and close the lid.
- Cook. Set your Instant Pot to manual pressure cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes are up, allow your Instant pot to NPR (Natural Pressure Release) for 5 minutes.
- Serve. After the Instant Pot has released most of the pressure, turn the venting knob and manually finish venting. Transfer the drumsticks to a serving plate or plates and serve immediately.
Kids and adults will love these chicken legs! Try serving your drumsticks with macaroni and tomatoes and sauteed green beans for a quick dinner everyone will enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- I also enjoy these Instant Pot chicken legs with my Cajun or Jamaican jerk seasoning!
- For extra crispy skin, you may broil the drumsticks for a couple of minutes per side after removing them from the Instant Pot.
- To store: Leftover Instant Pot chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container (once cooled) and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. You may freeze leftover chicken drumsticks in a heavy-duty freezer bag or sealed airtight container for up to 4 months.
- To reheat: Reheat leftovers in your oven at 350°F (175°C). Add a splash of stock, broth, or water and bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You may quickly broil the drumsticks to crisp up the skin, if desired.
❓ Recipe FAQs
They can. If cooking from frozen you will need to add a few minutes to the total cook time. Start with 12 minutes, instead of 10, before doing the NPR (Natural Pressure Release).
Check your chicken has reached 165ºF (74ºC) at the thickest point. If not, cook for a few more minutes.
Yes and no. No, you should not eat rare, medium-rare, or medium chicken. Yes, it may still be slightly tinged pink due to hemoglobin in the tissues.
Do not eat chicken until it has reached 165ºF (74ºC) internally. The most surefire way to tell if your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer.
Yes! These chicken legs are pretty healthy! If you have a concern about sodium, sugar, or anything else in the seasoning, your best bet is to choose a seasoning that fits within your diet regulations.
Other than that, the chicken itself is full of protein, low carb, low calorie, and delicious!
🍗 More Chicken Dinners
- Roasted Sasso Chicken - This uniquely flavorful roast chicken is like nothing you have tried before!
- Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs - Fire up the grill because these juicy boneless chicken thighs are calling your name!
- Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas - This Tex-Mex classic is surprisingly easy to make at home, and you control the spice level!
- Chicken Marsala - Thinly pounded pan-fried chicken breast smothered in marsala sauce and mushrooms on a bed of noodles? Yes, please!
- Baked Chicken Wings - Just as delicious as fried chicken wings without any of the guilt!
- Chicken and Peppers - This classic chicken and bell peppers recipe will pair well with just about anything, and it's healthy too!
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📖 Recipe Card
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken drumsticks (5-8 chicken legs)
- 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning (or poultry seasoning, or BBQ chicken rub -*See note)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 cup water (or broth)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Clean and pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
- Season the chicken legs generously all over with chicken, poultry, or BBQ chicken seasoning.
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of your Instant Pot and set it to saute. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer and brown the outside for 2-3 minutes per side.
- After browning the drumsticks, transfer them to a plate and turn off saute mode. Add water (or broth) and a trivet to the inner pot. Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer on the trivet and close the lid.
- Set your Instant Pot to manual pressure cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes are up, allow your Instant pot to NPR (Natural Pressure Release) for 5 minutes.
- After the Instant Pot has released most of the pressure, turn the venting knob and manually finishing venting. Transfer the drumsticks to a serving plate or plates and serve immediately.
Notes
- I also enjoy these Instant Pot chicken legs with my Cajun or Jamaican jerk seasoning!
- For extra crispy skin, you may broil the drumsticks for a couple of minutes per side after removing them from the Instant Pot.
- To store: Leftover Instant Pot chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container (once cooled) and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. You may freeze leftover chicken drumsticks in a heavy-duty freezer bag or sealed airtight container for up to 4 months.
- To reheat: Reheat leftovers in your oven at 350°F (175°C). Add a splash of stock, broth, or water and bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You may quickly broil the drumsticks to crisp up the skin, if desired.
Sarah says
Good flavor but my legs didn’t get crispy. However they Definitely fell off the bone. Will make again.