Spice up dinnertime with these delicious Instant Pot BBQ chicken legs. Super simple and super tasty. Be sure to add this chicken drumstick recipe to your dinner rotation. Your family will love it!
Have you ever been in a mood for a particular dish but it had to be cooked in a quick and easy way? Well that’s exactly how this recipe came about. I was in the mood for barbecued chicken but didn’t want to wait for the oven cook time. And as far as firing up a barbecue grill goes, let’s just say grilling is not my forte (yet) and this momma ain’t got time for that after being at work all day.
Besides, these chicken legs were ready in a short time and were just as delicious!
I had made chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot before but this was the first time adding barbecue sauce. In true NOLA girl fashion, I also kicked it up a notch by making a cajun dry rub to coat the chicken legs with.
I ended up making the most tender, juicy fall off the bone chicken that I’d had in a long time!
Here are the ingredients needed:
- 6 – 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Legs
Making these chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot is easy peasy. First, you simply place the chicken legs in a bowl and then season them on all sides with the cajun spice rub. If you have time, I recommend setting the chicken legs aside to marinate for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Then you place the chicken legs into the Instant Pot with one cup of chicken broth. Note: you will need the trivet that came with your Instant Pot or a steamer basket for this step.
Afterwards, you cover the chicken legs in barbecue sauce and then cook to tender perfection for total of 20 minutes. Total cook time includes the 12 minute pressure cook time followed by an 8 minute natural release of remaining pressure.
After the pressure has been released, remove the chicken legs from the inner pot, place on a foil lined baking sheet and coat with barbecue sauce.
Finally, place them under the oven broiler for 4 to 5 minutes. Done.
Does BBQ sauce count as liquid in the Instant Pot?
Because the Instant Pot cooks food using steam, water or a water-based liquid should be placed into the pot when in use. Barbecue sauce typically has a thick consistency and contains sugar so it would not be recommended for use as a liquid in the Instant Pot. Sauces that contain sugar tend to burn more easily in the Instant Pot. Therefore, you may get a burn notice if you try using only barbecue sauce as a liquid.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 6 -8 Chicken Drumsticks
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup barbecue sauce divided
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Add dry spices to a bowl and mix together to make the cajun dry rub. Place chicken into a bowl and season on all sides with the spice mixture.
- Cover chicken and set aside to marinate for 20 minutes. (Optional)
- Add one cup of chicken broth to the inner pot and insert the trivet or steamer basket into the instant pot.
- Place the chicken legs into the trivet and cover with ½ cup of barbecue sauce. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the valve to “sealing.”
- Set the Instant Pot to the manual setting and set the cook time to 12 minutes then allow it to naturally release 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, quick release the remaining pressure.
- Remove chicken legs from the Instant Pot and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Use a basting brush to coat the chicken legs with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- Place chicken in the oven under the broiler for about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken from the oven, serve and enjoy!
Trying this tonight! Can’t wait to taste it!