Instant Pot BBQ Drumsticks

Do you love drumsticks but need a quicker way to make them? This Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks recipe will change dinner time at your home. Pick your favorite BBQ sauce and you will be surprised how tender and juice they are.

You can easily make these tender and flavorful instant pot BBQ chicken legs with very little effort. Everything goes into the pressure cooker for an amazing meal in minutes. From family dinner to Game Day and parties, this instant pot recipe is so simple and perfect for any occasion. You may also love Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks and Crockpot Barbecue Drumsticks for another delicious meal idea.

We Know You Will Love These Chicken Drumsticks

• Easy Dinner Idea – These drumsticks are easy to make and you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.
• Everything cooks in the Instant Pot – We love that you had all the ingredients to the Instant Pot so it easy clean up.
• Kid Approved – The whole family loves when I make these BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Even my picky eaters.

Ingredients for BBQ Drumsticks

• Chicken Drumsticks – Use fresh or frozen on-the-bone chicken or boneless chicken. Cooking time may vary if you are using frozen.
• Paprika – See Best Paprika Substitute if you are out
• Cumin – If you are out, check out these Best Substitute for Cumin
• Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute if you are out. Add teaspoon Onion Powder is also a great addition
• Favorite Barbecue Sauce – Feel free to use any type of BBQ Sauce that you prefer

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

This recipe can easily be changed for what your family likes.

• Plain – Occasional I will just make plain drumsticks. One of my kids doesn’t care for BBQ sauce so he is extremely happy when I make some without any sauce.
• Buffalo Sauce – You can add in Buffalo sauce instead of BBQ sauce. We love buffalo sauce at my house so occasional I will make BBQ and Buffalo drumsticks.
• Air Fryer Chicken – You can also put chicken drumsticks in your air fryer. They come out just as crispy.
• Spicy – For a spicy taste add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice rub

How to Make Pressure Cooker Chicken Legs

• Step 1 – Mixed together seasoning – In a small bowl combine the paprika, cumin, and teaspoon garlic powder. We also like to add in ½ teaspoon of black pepper.

• Step 2 – Rub on Chicken – Next, sprinkle the seasoning over the drum sticks. You want to rub it all over each piece of chicken.

• Step 3 – Add the water (or chicken broth) to the instant pot. You don’t want the drumsticks touching the bottom so use the rack that came with the instant pot.
  
• Step 4 – Seal the Instant Pot with lid and set the valve to pressure to begin cooking the chicken.

• Step 5 – Pressure Cook the Chicken – Set the pressure cook to 15 minutes to cook the chicken drumsticks. Do a quick release to natural pressure release. In just minutes, you will have the best chicken!

• Step 6 – Put Chicken on Baking Sheet – Once they are finished cooking, place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

• Step 7 – Brush with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler in the oven for that nice crispy outside. It will take about 1-5 minutes. Cooking time will vary.

• Step 8 – Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce.

• Step 9 – Broil another 1-5 minutes until brown.

• Step 10 – Serve and Enjoy – These drumsticks are perfect when served warm.

Instant Pot Chicken Drumstick Tips

• Cooking Drumsticks – These drumsticks can be eaten plan and right out of the instant pot. We just like to broil them to get that crispy texture.
• Rest Drumsticks – Let chicken rest before tossing with BBQ sauce. This helps to lock-in the juices.
• Trivet – Make sure to use the trivet in your instant pot so your drumsticks don’t burn.

How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

You can certainly use store bought BBQ sauce. But it is very simple to learn how to make homemade barbecue sauce with very little effort! If you like more of a sweet barbecue sauce, add a little brown sugar to the slow cooker chicken.

Chicken drumstick recipes can be prepared so easily and without much work. We love this meal and have fun trying different variations. We have even cut up chicken breast or used regular chicken legs with this recipe. Chicken thighs are also delicious.

Can I Use Different Chicken?

Yes, you can use other cuts of chicken. My kids when I make this recipe with chicken drumsticks, but other chicken works great too.

Try different cuts of chicken. Chicken Breast, Chicken Wings or Chicken Thighs. We love chicken recipes.

What to Serve with Chicken Legs

BBQ chicken drumsticks can be served as an appetizer or as a main meal. When we have friends over we usually serve as an appetizer.

• They are great to be served with a raw veggie tray.
• Another favorite side dish is homemade macaroni and cheese
• Creamed corn, Green Beans with Bacon Recipe or Steamed broccoli to complete your meal
• Potato Salad is a family favorite
• Corn muffins or corn bread would pair nicely
• If eating the chicken drumsticks plain, add your favorite dipping sauce. We recommend ranch and honey mustard.

The chicken legs work great as a main meal or as an appetizer. If serving as a main meal, add a vegetable and a potato. I just feel better knowing that my family is getting a complete meal.

How to Use Leftovers

• Make a Soup –  Shredding the chicken and adding it to a soup, make it so full of flavor.
• Sandwiches – Shred the chicken and use it to make BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. This would be perfect for a Saturday lunch or for work the next day.
• Make Quesadilla – Make BBQ Chicken Quesadilla is a great way to use leftovers. Shred chicken and place in between two tortilla’s and heat.
• Buffalo Wraps – We love to make BBQ Chicken Wraps. We drizzle ranch dressing and add in the shredded chicken and top with lettuce. It makes the perfect wrap.