Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for Instant pot chicken drumsticks, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken Legs – I used fresh chicken drumsticks for this recipe, but you can cook frozen chicken legs in the Instant Pot, too. It will take longer — see tips below! Herbs & Spices – A combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to use your favorite spice mixture. Try my poultry seasoning for a classic flavor, Italian seasoning for an herby taste, or lemon pepper seasoning for zesty flair. Chicken Broth – This is the liquid necessary for the pressure cooker, and makes the chicken so juicy! I often use store-bought for convenience most of the time, but have used homemade chicken broth when I had some left over. You could also use water as the liquid in your Instant Pot, but the chicken won’t be as flavorful. Olive Oil – To get crispy skin in the last step! You can also use avocado oil.
How To Cook Chicken Legs In The Instant Pot
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Tips
This recipe is pretty simple, but here are a few of my tips to make sure your Instant Pot drumsticks come out perfect every time:
Use a trivet. Although you could place the drumsticks in the chicken broth directly, placing them on a trivet prevents them from getting soggy and ensures even cooking. Increase the cooking time to 12 minutes if your chicken is frozen. It may take a bit longer for the pot to come to pressure, too. Don’t skip the natural release. For the juiciest chicken, be sure to allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for at least 5 minutes before doing a manual release. Use adequate oil for crispy skin. If you’re sauteing in the Instant Pot or even a nonstick pan, using plenty of oil (2 tablespoons was perfect) ensures that the skin doesn’t stick and fall apart. For the broiling method, the oil is still needed to get crispy results, but remember not to add it right away, or you’ll brush off the seasonings.
Storage Instructions
Store: Seal leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The skin does get soft when you store them, but you can crisp it up again when reheating. Reheat: Warm them in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes. If needed, you can broil or pan fry again to crisp the skin. Freeze: Once cooled, place Instant Pot chicken legs in a freezer bags or containers, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Chicken Legs
Need some healthy side dishes to go with your meal? Here are my go-to easy options:
Veggies – You know I can’t have a meal without vegetables! Before you start your chicken, toss some broccoli and cauliflower in the oven, make some flavorful balsamic brussels sprouts, or go for a cheesy cauliflower casserole. Rice – I prefer fresh riced cauliflower or quicker frozen cauliflower rice, but white or brown rice make simple sides. Potatoes – For an all-around quick meal, I like to make air fryer potatoes (my go-to for my kids on busy nights), but since your oven is free, you could bake a sweet potato or make classic roasted potatoes. Sauce – This chicken is flavorful all on its own, but if you love BBQ sauce, you can slather it on after crisping up the skin, or use it before broiling. I’ve also dipped these chicken legs in ranch, honey mustard, and spicy buffalo sauce (not at the same time, ha!) for a little something extra.
More Chicken Leg Recipes
If you liked this Instant Pot chicken drumsticks recipe, take a look at my other ways to make them: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Alternatively, you can crisp up the skin on the stove in a nonstick pan (which is less prone to sticking than the Instant Pot), or broil in the oven on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes (which is the most hands-off, but the chicken doesn’t brown as much this way). 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle!
