Effortless Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks: A Flavorful Family Dinner

Craving a quick, easy, and delicious dinner that the whole family will enjoy? Look no further than this Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe! It’s a fuss-free way to cook juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken drumsticks in a fraction of the time.

Chicken drumsticks are a fantastic cut of chicken, packed with flavor. We love using them, especially in our Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. The Instant Pot makes them incredibly tender and delicious.

In today’s busy world, finding time to cook a wholesome dinner can be a challenge. And with rising food costs, we’re all looking for ways to save money without sacrificing flavor. Drumsticks are the perfect solution – affordable, flavorful, and quick to cook!

This recipe is perfect for anyone seeking a simple yet satisfying way to cook chicken drumsticks. The pressure cooking method ensures that the drumsticks are incredibly juicy and tender. Get ready to impress your family with this easy and flavorful recipe!

Why This Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe Works

This is undoubtedly our favorite method for cooking chicken drumsticks. It’s the easiest way to achieve tender, flavorful results every single time. Here’s why this recipe is a winner:

• Effortless: This recipe is incredibly simple, with clear and concise instructions.
• Quick: The Instant Pot dramatically reduces cooking time, allowing you to have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly: Drumsticks are typically more affordable than other chicken cuts, making this a cost-effective meal.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
• Incredibly Delicious: The pressure cooking process results in unbelievably moist and tender chicken. Options for crispy skin and a flavorful gravy make this recipe truly irresistible.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You probably already have these ingredients on hand!

• Chicken Drumsticks: You’ll need approximately 2 pounds of drumsticks, which is about 6-8 depending on their size.
• Chicken Stock: Use either homemade or store-bought chicken stock. Low sodium is a great choice!
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its flavor and health benefits.
• Herbs & Spices: A blend of garlic powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper creates a flavorful seasoning.

If you opt to make the gravy, you’ll also need a bit of cornstarch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

For detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a visual guide to help you through the process:

1. In a bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices: garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper.
2. Generously season the chicken drumsticks on all sides with the spice mixture. Ensure each drumstick is evenly coated for maximum flavor.

3. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the “SAUTE” function. Add olive oil and let it heat up. Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks into the pot, ensuring not to overcrowd. Sauté until the drumsticks are browned on all sides. Remove the chicken drumsticks from the pot and set aside.

4. Pour a small amount of chicken broth into the Instant Pot while it’s still in Sauté mode. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This process, known as deglazing, adds a tremendous amount of flavor to the dish and helps prevent the dreaded “BURN” notice from the Instant Pot. Once you’ve scraped up all the browned bits, add the remaining chicken broth.

5. Place a trivet or rack inside the Instant Pot. Arrange the browned chicken drumsticks on top of the trivet, slightly overlapping is fine.

6. Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the pressure release valve is in the “SEALING” position. Select the “PRESSURE COOK” (or “MANUAL”) function and set the cooking time to 10 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully perform a quick release by turning the pressure release valve to the “VENTING” position.

7. Optional Step for Crispy Skin: For extra crispy skin, you can transfer the cooked chicken drumsticks to an air fryer. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. If you don’t have an air fryer, place the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and broil in the oven for a few minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

Optional Step to Make Gravy: Remove the chicken drumsticks from the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot back to the “SAUTE” function. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the remaining liquid in the Instant Pot, whisking constantly. Allow the gravy to simmer and thicken to your desired consistency. Serve the gravy over the chicken drumsticks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Drumsticks

Are drumsticks dark meat or white meat?

Drumsticks, like chicken thighs, are considered dark meat. Dark meat is typically higher in calories and fat compared to white meat like chicken breast. However, dark meat is also richer in healthy fats, iron, niacin, riboflavin, and zinc.

What can I do with leftover chicken drumsticks?

Leftover chicken drumstick meat can be used in various dishes like Chicken Salad Sandwiches, on Thai Chicken Pizza, or in salads like CPK Copycat Thai Chicken Crunch Salad.

What’s the best way to store chicken drumsticks?

Allow the cooked chicken drumsticks to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Serve these delicious drumsticks with your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying meal. Here are a few suggestions:

• Instant Pot Garlic Rice
• Grilled Asparagus in Foil
• Air Fryer Corn Ribs
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad
• Air Fryer Broccoli

These drumsticks are also great for meal prepping! Prepare them ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week.

Consider serving the drumsticks with barbecue sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

Wine Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Drumsticks

Pair these flavorful Instant Pot chicken drumsticks with a crisp, dry white wine such as a Chardonnay or a Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio. A Sauvignon Blanc also complements the dish beautifully.

If you prefer red wine, opt for a light-bodied option like a Pinot Noir.

Essential Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

Here’s a list of the kitchen tools you’ll need to make this recipe:

• Electric Pressure Cooker: A 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is essential.
• Tongs: Use tongs to safely transfer the chicken drumsticks to and from the Instant Pot.
• Wooden Spoon: A wooden spoon is perfect for scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot.
• Whisk: Use a whisk to blend the seasonings and create the cornstarch slurry for the gravy.

More Chicken Recipes to Explore

Check out our Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for more quick and easy meal ideas. You can also try one of these other delicious chicken dinner recipes:

• Chicken Kare Kare
• Chicken au Poivre
• Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Inasal

Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for trying our recipe!