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Chicken Drumsticks Instant Pot (Legs in a Pressure Cooker)

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Pressure Cookers

Chicken drumsticks are a great option if you want a delicious and easy dinner. They are juicy, flavorful, and easy to prepare. And now, with the Instant Pot, you can cook them up in a fraction of the time. But next, you might wonder, how long do you need to cook chicken legs in a pressure cooker?

As a general rule, cook 6 chicken legs in a pressure cooker such as an Instant Pot for 15 minutes, followed by a quick release. But for best results, coat with BBQ sauce and broil in an oven on a baking sheet for 2-4 minutes.

You also need to follow the instructions and guidelines of the instant pot chicken drumsticks recipe when cooking with the pressure cooker. You don’t want to end up with an overcooked or undercooked dish.

How to cook pressure cooker chicken drumsticks step by step

Cooking chicken drumsticks in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to make a great meal for the whole family. To begin, you’ll want to assemble the ingredients you need for your dish. You’ll need chicken drumsticks, cooking oil, your favorite seasonings, and a pressure cooker.

To begin, you’ll want to rinse the drumsticks under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Next, you’ll want to season the chicken drumsticks with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or other spice rubs of your choice. Finally, rub the seasonings into the chicken until it’s completely covered.

Once your chicken is seasoned based on your easy instant pot recipe, you’ll want to heat some cooking oil in your pressure cooker.

Once the oil is hot, add the drumsticks to the cooker and cook them for about two minutes until they are golden brown. You’ll want to turn the drumsticks occasionally to ensure they are cooking evenly.

Once the instant pot drumsticks are cooked, carefully remove them from the pressure cooker and place them on a baking sheet.

Then, add some chicken broth or liquid of your choice to the pressure cooker to help the chicken cook evenly and give it a nice flavor. After adding the cup of water, you’ll want to close the lid on the pressure cooker and ensure the pressure regulator is set to high pressure.

Let the chicken cook for about 15 minutes.

Once the cooking cycle is up, let the pressure cooker naturally release the steam before unlocking the lid. Once the lid is off, you can check the internal temperature of the drumsticks with a meat thermometer. If the temperature reads 165°F, the chicken is cooked and ready to serve.

If you are hungry for some delicious, crunchy, and juicy chicken wings, deep frying them is a delicious and popular cooking method you can consider. 

While it may seem intimidating for some people, deep-frying chicken wings is quite simple. You can check out my most recent article if you are unsure.

In the article, I explained the ideal duration for deep frying, the best temperature for deep-fried frozen chicken wings, and if frozen chicken wings take longer to deep fry than thawed.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Can you overcook chicken in a pressure cooker?

Yes, you can overcook chicken in a pressure cooker.

Pressure cookers are a great way to cook food quickly and efficiently, but they require a bit of practice and finesse to get the perfect results. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to overcook chicken in a pressure cooker, leading to dry, rubbery, or flavorless dishes.

When it comes to overcooking chicken in a pressure cooker, the main culprit is often setting the timer for too long. The pressure cooker has a preset timer, and if you don’t know the optimal time for your particular type of chicken, it’s easy to set it for too long accidentally.

Another mistake that can lead to overcooked chicken in a pressure cooker is not having enough liquid in the pot. Pressure cookers need a certain amount of liquid to build up enough pressure to cook the food properly.

To prevent the risk of burning, add at least 1 cup of chicken broth or water to your pressure cooker before you start cooking.

It’s important to release the pressure immediately after the cooking time has ended. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Instead, let the pressure cooker naturally release the steam before unlocking the lid. With the natural release, the food flavors will be more concentrated than with quick releases.

Is it better to pressure cook or slow cook chicken?

It depends. Deciding whether to pressure or slow cook can be hard when cooking chicken.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each before deciding which one is best for your meal prep.

Pressure cooking is a great way to cook chicken quickly, as it uses steam to heat the food rapidly. Depending on your delicious recipe, pressure cooking is also great for retaining the flavor and nutrients of the chicken, as it cooks at a lower temperature than traditional methods. This means the chicken will not dry out, and the natural flavor and nutrients will be preserved.

However, pressure cooking can be tricky to master, and it is easy to overcook the chicken if you’re not careful. This can cause your chicken to become dry and tough, resulting in an unpleasant texture. Additionally, it will be difficult to get it out if you leave it in the pressure cooker for too long.

Slow-cooking chicken, on the other hand, is great for creating tender and juicy results. This method is also very simple, as you need to put the chicken in the slow cooker and leave it for several hours. The low heat helps to retain the flavor of the chicken and also helps to keep it moist.

However, slow cooking has a long cook time, so it’s not suitable for when you need a quick meal. Additionally, it can be easy to overcook the chicken if left in the slow cooker for too long.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook chicken that retains its flavor and nutrients, then pressure cooking may be the best choice.

Air fryer pressure cooker combos offer the perfect solution for busy home cooks as they combine the convenience of an air fryer and the speed of a pressure cooker.

But with so many options available, knowing which air fryer pressure cooker combo is best for your needs can be difficult. My most recent article has some of the best air fryer pressure cooker combos on the market to make buying decisions easier.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Can you cook chicken in pressure cooker without water?

No, you cannot cook chicken in a pressure cooker without water.

Pressure cookers are designed to use water to create steam, which is what cooks the food. Without water, the pressure cooker cannot create the pressure necessary to cook food.

However, there are ways to cook chicken in a pressure cooker without immersing it in water. The most popular method is to use a steamer basket or other similar device to hold the chicken above the bottom of the pot. This allows the steam from the water in the bottom of the instant pot to circulate the chicken and cook it.

Another way to cook chicken in a pressure cooker without water is to use a recipe that calls for a sauce or broth to be used in the cooking. The sauce or broth liquid will provide moisture for the pressure cooker to create the steam that cooks the food.

It is also possible to cook chicken breast in a pressure cooker without water using a recipe that calls for a marinade. The marinade can season the chicken and provide moisture for the pressure cooker to create steam and cook the food.

Finally, depending on your instant pot chicken recipes, it is possible to cook a piece of chicken by using a recipe that calls for a liquid that is not water. This includes adding broth, stock, juice, or even beer to the bottom of your instant pot.

These liquids can provide moisture for the pressure cooker to create the steam that cooks the food.

Can you stack chicken legs in the Instant pot?

Yes, you can stack chicken legs in the Instant Pot. Stacking the chicken legs in the Instant Pot pressure cooker can help you cook multiple pieces of chicken simultaneously, making it a great option for larger meals in less time.

When stacking the chicken legs in the Instant Pot, it is important to ensure that the pieces are properly arranged. First, you should arrange the chicken legs so they all face the same direction. This helps to ensure that each piece of chicken will cook evenly.

Additionally, you should ensure that the legs are spaced apart so that the steam can circulate properly.

You should use the appropriate setting when cooking chicken legs in the Instant Pot. Once you’ve selected the appropriate setting, you should add the appropriate liquid to the pot. You should use roughly 1 cup of liquid for every 1.5 pounds of chicken legs. After adding the liquid, add the chicken legs and close the instant pot lid.

By stacking the chicken legs in the Instant Pot, you can cook multiple pieces of chicken simultaneously, saving you time and effort. Just make sure to arrange the tender meats properly and use the appropriate setting and amount of liquid.

Pressure cookers are the perfect tool for busy cooks who want to prepare a meal quickly and those who want to reduce their energy consumption.

But, with all the benefits of pressure cookers, many are concerned if pressure cookers are safe.

If you have similar concerns, you should visit my most recent article to learn more. There I explored the safety features of pressure cookers, as well as how to use them safely. But have some really exploded?

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Is a drumstick the same as a chicken leg?

No, a drumstick is not the same as a chicken leg. When buying chicken legs from the grocery store, it can be easy to think that a drumstick is the same as a chicken leg, but that isn’t the case.

The drumstick is the lower part of the leg, nearest to the foot. It consists of a thigh and drumette, which are covered with skin side and contain bones. It is the part usually used for eating. The chicken leg is the entire leg, which includes the thigh and the drumstick.

The drumstick has a different texture and flavor than the other parts of the chicken leg.

It is usually tender and juicier than the other parts, making it a popular choice when cooking. The drumstick also has less fat and calories than other chicken parts, making it a healthier choice.

When cooking drumsticks, it is important to remember that they cook faster than other chicken parts. You can also cook them in different ways, such as roasting, grilling, and frying. Drumsticks are also great for making easy-recipe soups, stews, and stir-fries.

When using the pressure cooker, it’s important to note that chicken drumsticks need to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F for it to be safe to eat.

If you’re worried about overcooking your chicken and not reaching the safe temperature, you can always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Final Thoughts

For a quick and easy meal that’s sure to please the whole family, Chicken Drumsticks in the Instant Pot is an excellent choice. The drumsticks come out tender and juicy, and the Instant Pot makes it easy to cook them in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.

Adding spices and seasonings gives the chicken a delicious flavor that can be enjoyed as-is or used as a base for other dishes. You can have a few simple ingredients ready for your delicious chicken meal.

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Jeff Campbell
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