These easy Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are juicy, tender, and lightly seasoned with a simple blend of smoked paprika and garlic powder. They're quick to cook, too, ready within 30 minutes! In this post, instructions for cooking thawed chicken legs and how to cook chicken legs from frozen are shared. If you want extra-crispy skin on the outside, just toss the chicken drumsticks under your air-crisp lid or under the broiler.
If you are looking for a kid-friendly meal that the whole family is sure to enjoy, look no further than this Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Personally, I think drumsticks are always a fun meal.
Even better, this Instant Pot chicken leg recipe is so easy. Just season the chicken, then let the electric pressure cooker handle the rest.
The result is fall-off-the-bone tender chicken drumsticks with an irresistibly delicious flavor.
Make sure you check out my archives for more Instant Pot recipe suggestions. Or head right over to some of my favorites like easy Instant Pot shredded chicken, Instant Pot red potato salad, Instant Pot spaghetti squash, and Instant Pot jasmine rice.
Simple Ingredients
For a little heat, add cayenne pepper. Other great additions are onion powder and oregano.
Reader review
"This recipe is AMAZING! Best drumsticks I've ever tasted & sooo easy to make!" —Kristen
Tips & Tricks
- An Instant Read Thermometer is the best way to tell when the chicken is done. When you make this chicken drumsticks recipe in the Instant Pot, you want to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- If you can, season the chicken a day ahead of time to help give the meat maximum flavor.
- For the most tender meat, allow all of the pressure to release naturally. This will take a little longer than the quick release method, but it does make a difference if fall off the bone tender meat is what you are looking for. You can do this for any IP chicken recipe where you want super tender meat.
- Want to get saucy? Coat the drumsticks in your favorite BBQ Sauce before you place them in the broiler or under your air crisp lid to finish.
Serving Suggestions
- If you’re serving up Instant Pot Chicken Legs as a game day snack, this Homemade Queso Dip is another crowd favorite!
- Add a little green to your plate with Crispy Ninja Foodi Grill Brussels Sprouts that still give you that satisfying crunch. It is my go-to side dish.
- Jalapeno Ranch Dip makes an amazing dipping sauce and comes together in a matter of minutes!
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice is a great low-carb side that the entire family will love.
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese is so full of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Cook Drumsticks from Frozen?
You bet! In fact, electric pressure cookers are a great way to safely cook frozen foods.
Just increase the cook time to 12 minutes, and keep in mind that the drumsticks will take a little longer to come up to pressure.
How can I make the skin crispy?
Just use an air-crisp lid or broiler for a few minutes before serving.
I used the air crisp lid in this Instant Pot chicken recipe, and you can see how crispy they got!
Can you stack chicken legs in the Instant Pot?
It’s completely fine to stack your drumsticks in the pot, meaning you can fit about eight easily.
Unlike baking or air frying where everything needs to be in one layer, Instant Pots are great for cooking stacked foods.
This makes it so convenient for cooking in large batches!
If you are looking to air crisp at the end of cooking this Instant Pot chicken recipe, you may want to work in batches for this portion of the recipe so that the crisper lid can brown all of the chicken.
What is the trivet in the Instant Pot?
The trivet is simply a raised steam rack that you set in the bottom of your Instant Pot. It keeps the food above the liquid to cook via steam instead of boiling. For dishes like this Chicken Drumsticks Instant Pot recipe, steam will give us the most tender meat.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Coat the chicken with the seasoning mixture.
Pour the broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, then set the trivet inside. Place the drumsticks on top of the trivet.
Seal the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is set to sealing and set it to high pressure for 10 minutes.
When the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 5 minutes.
If desired, use the air crisp lid or broil to crisp up the skin.
Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks (Fresh or Frozen)
Equipment
- Air Crisp Lid optional
Ingredients
- 3 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken with the seasoning mixture. Place a trivet on the bottom of the Instant Pot, pour the broth in, and place the drumsticks on top of it.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to high pressure for 10 minutes. For frozen, cook for 12 minutes.
- When the time is up allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. (If you want fall off the bone tender meat, allow it to release naturally.) If desired, use the air crisp lid or broiler to crisp up the skin.
Jenny says
This was delicious!
Foodie Digital says
Thank you!
Kristin McMillan says
This recipe is AMAZING! Best drumsticks I've ever tasted & sooo easy to make!
Wendy Polisi says
I am so glad that you enjoyed it! It is a favorite at our house too!
Helen says
What do I do with the chicken broth underneath?
Wendy Polisi says
You can toss it or strain it and use it in another recipe.
Gigi says
Hello I don't have a trivet can this be made without one?
Wendy Polisi says
Yes - this will work fine without the trivet.
Toni says
Very good! Will be making again. Was going to broil with BBQ sauce, but great just as they are! Thanks for a great recipe
Katrina Wildey says
This has become my favorite go to meal when life gets busy.
I love it with mashed potatoes and burnt corn.
Toni says
SO GOOD! I was going to cook them then put BBQ sauce on them, so good I just ate them. Only thing I did different was added Cajun seasoning to ing. Wonder if I can use thighs for this, and for how long.
kulinerekstrim says
They are also quick to cook, ready in 30 minutes!Loved it.
Linda says
Is it really necessary to put chicken broth at the bottom of the trivet? would water suffice?
Wendy Polisi says
You can use water if you don't have broth - it works just fine!
Cassy Mathews says
Thanks so much! Worked great. Kids loved it. Now I wanna know if I can make rice and frozen chicken in the instant pot at the same time.
Charles says
Loved it. Then I did it with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I rolled the thighs onto the trivet. Absolutely delicious!
Melissa Cerny says
I don’t usually leave comments but this recipe has been a huge life saver. Super easy and it is 100% of the time a win with my kids. Thank you!