Get dinner on the table fast with this simple and easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe. With only 5 ingredients needed, your family can enjoy tasty drumsticks in minutes in the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Do you love drumsticks but need a quicker way to make them? This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe will change dinner time at your home.
You can easily make these tender and flavorful drumsticks with very little effort. Everything goes into the pressure cooker for an amazing meal in minutes.
Check out this recipe to see how easy it is to make this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe!
From family dinner to Game Day and parties, this recipe is so simple and perfect for any occasion. Everyone will go crazy over this chicken!
Try chicken drumsticks in instant pot for a quick meal any day of the week!
We rarely have time to stand over the stove and fry anything around here but everyone loves chicken drumsticks. The instant pot is the solution!
I learned that you can easily make the best drumsticks this way with hardly any work at all. The pressure cooker does all the work.
Once they are finished cooking, simple put them in the oven for a few minutes to broil them. This will give you that amazing crispy outside everyone loves without any of the work of frying!
Everyone devoured these and now this is the only way I make them. So easy and delicious!
What all do I need to make BBQ Drumsticks?
- chicken drumsticks
- paprika
- cumin
- garlic salt
- BBQ sauce
As you can see this is the easiest recipe and just requires a few simple ingredients!
How do you make Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks?
In a small bowl combine the paprika, cumin, and garlic salt.
Next, sprinkle the seasoning over the drum sticks. You want to rub it all over each piece of chicken.
Add the water to the instant pot. You don’t want the drumsticks touching the bottom so use the rack that came with the instant pot.
In just minutes, you will have the best chicken!
Once they are finished cooking, brush with BBQ sauce and broil in the oven for that nice crispy outside.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Keep reading for the full recipe.
Try making homemade BBQ sauce for Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.
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.
You can also make frozen bbq chicken instant pot for a quick meal.
No worries if you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer. The pressure cooker to the rescue!
Try instant pot drumsticks frozen. Dinner will still be quick and easy!
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken leg quarters will be a hit!
The chicken is so tender but takes just minutes in the pressure cooker. It is perfect for parties or dinner with your family.
We love to serve the drumsticks with ranch and blue cheese. It is so good.
Throw in celery and carrots for a simple and delicious meal idea. Our entire family loves this chicken.
Dinner time is simple with 2 ingredient Instant Pot BBQ Chicken.
This really is the best chicken. If you are worried that it won’t have the crispiness you like, don’t be!
The extra step of broiling in the oven really makes the outside just so perfect and crispy. This will give you the perfect amount of crispiness to the outside of the drumsticks.
This is a family favorite and one of our favorite meals. I love how quick and easy the instant pot makes this meal.
You will need a pressure cooker to make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. I personally have an Instant Pot and so far I am loving it.
You can find the Instant pot on sale here. It’s really changed dinner time around here.
If you have been putting off trying an instant pot, I highly recommend going ahead and biting the bullet. I love using the pressure cooker when I don’t have much time.
It is perfect for frozen food or meals that normally take a while. You can toss everything in and have dinner ready in no time at all.
Those days when you forget to take something out of the freezer or wait until the last minute for dinner, the instant pot is your saving grace.
I am not exaggerating when I say it truly has changed meal time around here. We love ours and it makes soup recipes even easier.
You can also these Instant Pot Accessories to make pressure cooking a breeze. We just love to pressure cook and I am certain you will too.
Dinner time is much easier and less complicated now that I have the pressure cooker. If you are hesitant or on the fence, don’t be. You will love it!
No worries if you do not have a pressure cooker yet. You can make Crock Pot Drumsticks for a delicious meal idea.
Print this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe below:

Get dinner on the table fast with easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe. With just a few ingredients, your family can enjoy drumsticks in minutes.
- 6 lbs chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 1/2 cups bbq sauce divided
- 1 1/2 cups water
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In a small bowl combine the paprika, cumin, and garlic salt. Stir to combine
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Sprinkle over the drum sticks and rub all over.
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Pour the water in the Instant pot. Make sure you use the rack that came with the Instant pot to keep the drumsticks from touching the bottom.
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Place the lid on top and set the valve to pressure.
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Set the pressure to 15 minutes. Do a quick release to release the pressure.
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When finished place the chicken on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
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Brush half of the bbq sauce on the drum sticks. Broil for 1-5 minutes until it begins to brown.
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Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks, and brush with the remaining bbq sauce.
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Broil another 1-5 minutes until brown.
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Serve hot. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Brisket Recipe will change how you cook brisket from now on. The pressure cooker makes it quick and easy while the meat is so tender with tons of flavor.
Instant Pot Chicken Scampi Recipe can be ready in minutes and will soon be a family favorite.
You are going to love this super easy healthy chicken tacos pressure cooker recipe. Get dinner on the table with very little effort thanks to the pressure cooker and this flavor packed meal.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe can be ready in less than an hour and served with a vegetable for a quick weeknight dinner.
Check out these drumstick recipes:
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Legs Recipe
- Instant Pot Mongolian Drumsticks
- Instant Pot Ginger Garlic Drumsticks
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Drumsticks
- Crock Pot Drumsticks
If you like this then try these easy instant pot recipes:
- Healthy Chicken Tacos Pressure Cooker Recipe
- Chicken Spinach Artichoke Pasta Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Ham and Bean Instant Pot Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Instant pot Twice Baked Potatoes
- Pressure Cooker Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Roast Recipe
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Potatoes
- Mississippi Pot Roast Pressure Cooker Recipe
- Brown Sugar Carrots Pressure Cooker recipe
- Brown Rice Pressure Cooker Recipe
- Ham and Bean Instant Pot Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Taco Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Creamy Taco Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken and Stuffing Dinner
- Healthy Chicken Tacos Pressure Cooker Recipe
- Chicken Spinach Artichoke Pasta Instant Pot Recipe
Michelle says
why did you broil them after the IP?
Carrie says
It browns them and caramelizes the sauce. It’s definitely worth it!
Lily says
If I’m using frozen drumsticks how long should I cook for?
Nancy says
My legs are partially frozen? Same time?
Dorothy says
Made this for dinner. Very tasty, and easy. I didn’t change a thing. Thank you for a great recipe.
Carrie says
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you!
Rebecca Beard says
Should we add 5 mins if using frozen drumsticks?
Judy says
What setting do I use for this recipe?
rf says
Do you use low pressure or high pressure to cook the BBQ drumsticks?
Carrie says
I use high pressure.
Carrie says
High pressure. Thank you!
Carrie says
Yes that should work!
Incitatus says
Thank you for the recipe. 🙂
Should I reduce the cooking time if I only make 3lbs of drumsticks?
Joanne says
I am going to use my 8 quart IP for the first time but I only have 2 lbs of drumsticks do I need to make an adjustment?
Courtney McGrale says
This is a FANTASTIC recipe. Thank you! I’m making it for the second time tonight. Last time I finished under the broiler; tonight I’m going to try the barbecue!
Stelisa says
Can i make in crock pot? How long should I cook?
Carrie says
Yes, this can be made in the crock pot. I would cook on low for 4-6 hours and then broil for 5-10 minutes once they are done. Thank you!
IMNotanumber says
I made this exactly like the recipe said. When the chicken was done in the instant pot, there were 1.5 cups of broth left in the bottom, so I added 3/4 cups of white rice and pushed the rice setting on my instant pot (water closing the vent again). Oh, MY GOODNESS!! Amazing chicken paired with super- flavorful rice! Great recipe!!
IMNotanumber says
I made this exactly like the recipe said. When the chicken was done in the instant pot, there were 1.5 cups of broth left in the bottom, so I added 3/4 cups of white rice and pushed the rice setting on my instant pot (after closing the vent again). Oh, MY GOODNESS!! Amazing chicken paired with super- flavorful rice! Great recipe!!
Carrie says
Great idea with using the liquid to make rice. I love it and thanks for sharing!
SNOOKERJOE says
I too, used the idea of adding white rice to the left-over liquid after the chicken was done….. WOW.. not only the chicken very good, would have been better if i had made my own BBQ sauce, rather than store-bought stuff I had to modify,……….. the the rice was absolutely wonderful………. I could have made a meal with the rice alone….LOL
Excellent idea…………….. I’ll do it again for sure………………thank you for the suggestion IMNOTANUMBER
Eva says
Can I stack the drumsticks or should I cook them in a single layer twice?
Carrie says
I stacked mine and it worked great!
Miriam Morgan says
How long do I cook my drumsticks if I am cooking 15 and do I just lie them on the rack that came with,the pot and stack them on top of each other?
Carrie says
I would use the rack and stack them on top of themselves and it should work great!
bree says
How much time do I add if there frozen and can I add potatoes
Carrie says
If the drumsticks are frozen, I would add 3-5 minutes to the cook time based on how many drumsticks you are making and yes, adding potatoes will work great!
Amanda Smith says
Do you have a crockpot version of this? I don’t have an instant pot.
Carrie says
Yes the crock pot version can be found here – https://www.eatingonadime.com/crock-pot-drumsticks/. Thank you!