Marianne Martinez
Chicken drumsticks are a versatile and economical cut of meat that can be cooked in many ways. They are also a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, as they can be prepared in an instant pot in under 30 minutes. Instant pot chicken drumsticks are juicy and tender, with a fall-off-the-bone texture that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. In this article, we will explore different ways to cook chicken drumsticks in an instant pot, including various seasoning and sauce options, to create a delicious and flavourful meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken drumsticks, olive oil, butter, chicken stock or water, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cornstarch, parsley |
| Equipment | Instant Pot, oven (optional), tongs |
| Preparation | Wash and pat dry chicken drumsticks, create a paste with olive oil and spices, rub paste all over chicken, add chicken broth to Instant Pot, place drumsticks on a trivet inside the pot, secure the lid and set the vent to sealing, set to pressure cook/manual and cook for 10 minutes at high pressure |
| Post-cooking steps | Allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, release remaining pressure, remove drumsticks from Instant Pot, place on a baking sheet, broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy (optional), thicken sauce by setting Instant Pot to saute mode and adding cornstarch mixed with water, pour sauce over chicken |
| Tips | Use both butter and oil for initial browning to prevent burning and add flavor, marinate chicken before pressure cooking for extra flavor, cook frozen chicken drumsticks for 15 minutes instead of 10 |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a dry spice rub
Here's a guide on how to make a dry spice rub for chicken drumsticks cooked in an instant pot.
First, decide on the blend of spices and herbs you want to use. A simple blend could include paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add dried thyme, coriander, or basil for more herbal notes. If you like your chicken spicy, add some cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. For a sweeter flavor, include some brown sugar. You can also add a pop of citrus with lime, lemon, or orange zest. If you want to make a paste, add olive oil to your blend.
Once you have chosen your blend, mix the ingredients together in a small bowl. You can store the blend in an airtight jar for later use, or use it right away.
When you are ready to cook your chicken drumsticks, pat them dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the dry rub onto the chicken and use your fingers to massage the spices into the meat. Make sure to coat all sides of the chicken.
Now your chicken is ready to be cooked in your instant pot. You can also use this dry rub for other cuts of chicken, such as breasts, thighs, wings, or a whole chicken.
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Preparing the instant pot
If you want to brown the skin, you can use the Instant Pot's 'Saute' or 'Brown' function. Add butter and oil to the pot, as this will prevent burning and add flavour. You can then add the chicken drumsticks and brown for 2-3 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in batches.
If you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the chicken drumsticks before cooking. One option is to make a paste or rub with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt. You can also add other spices like oregano, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Rub the paste all over the chicken and leave to marinate for a few hours if you have time.
Once you've browned and/or marinated the chicken, you can begin pressure cooking. Place a trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot and stack the chicken drumsticks on top. Pour in enough water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to create steam and help build pressure. The liquid should not cover the meat. You can also add any remaining marinade to the pot.
Secure the lid and set the pressure valve to 'Sealing'. Select the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' setting and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes for fresh chicken drumsticks or 15 minutes for frozen. It will take around 6-7 minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure.
When the cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5-10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and remove the chicken drumsticks from the pot using tongs.
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Cooking the drumsticks
First, prepare your chicken drumsticks. You can choose to remove the skin if you want to cut down on the fat content. Wash the chicken legs and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Next, make your dry spice rub. In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. For example, you could use red paprika, black pepper powder, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Add this spice rub to the chicken and mix well so that all sides of the chicken are seasoned.
Now, you can start to use your Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE function and add some oil to the pot. Once the oil is hot, add your chicken drumsticks in a single layer and brown the sides. You should do this for around 2-3 minutes on each side. You may need to do this step in batches.
After browning the chicken, deglaze the pot by adding chicken broth or water and scraping off any stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pot. This step is important as it will prevent a "burn" message from appearing on your Instant Pot. Place a trivet in the Instant Pot and stack your chicken drumsticks on top.
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the vent to SEALING. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL setting and set the cooking time for 10 minutes at high pressure. It will take around 6-7 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cooking time starts.
When the cooking program ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Remove the drumsticks from the Instant Pot using tongs and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Finally, if you want to crisp up the skins of your chicken drumsticks, place them in the oven on a high broil setting for 4-5 minutes, or until the skins are brown and crispy.
Your Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are now ready to serve!
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Making a sauce
Firstly, decide on the type of sauce you want to make. A simple gravy can be made by using the liquid that is left behind after pressure cooking the drumsticks. You can thicken this liquid by setting the Instant Pot to saute mode and adding a slurry made from cornstarch or flour mixed with water. Whisk this mixture until it thickens, and season with salt to taste. You can also add butter for extra flavour.
Alternatively, you can make a sauce with more complex flavours. For example, a Hawaiian-style Shoyu sauce can be made by combining soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, mirin, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pour this sauce over the drumsticks before pressure cooking, and serve the remaining sauce on the side.
If you prefer a drier rub, you can combine spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper with olive oil to make a paste. Rub this mixture all over the chicken before cooking. You can also add BBQ sauce to your drumsticks before serving, either straight from the bottle or by making your own with ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, and soy sauce.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different sauces and seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can also serve your chicken drumsticks with a variety of dips, such as buffalo sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or yum yum sauce.
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Serving suggestions
Instant Pot chicken drumsticks can be served as a starter or as part of a main course. For a starter, consider serving the drumsticks with a side of buffalo sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or yum yum sauce. For a main course, the drumsticks can be served with a variety of sides, such as:
- Baked potatoes
- Baked beans
- Creamy lemon pasta
- Air fryer roasted potatoes
- Avocado cucumber salad
- Sweet potato wild rice salad
- Veggie pasta salad
- Kale pasta
- Mediterranean pasta with artichokes and olives
- Creamy pumpkin risotto
- Butternut squash quinoa risotto
For a game day snack, the drumsticks can be served with a homemade queso dip and crispy Brussels sprouts.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive meal, the drumsticks can be served with a simple salad and a side of bread. You can also make a gravy to go with the drumsticks by transferring the cooked drumsticks to a serving plate and setting the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add a mixture of cornstarch and water to the sauce and whisk until it thickens, adding more salt to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped parsley leaves.
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