Mastering Instant Pot Chicken Wings: Juicy, Tender, and Perfectly Crispy

Get ready to revolutionize your chicken wing game with this incredibly easy and fast Instant Pot recipe! Whether you’re craving a fantastic low-carb meal or looking to drench your wings in your favorite sauce, these Instant Pot Chicken Wings deliver unparalleled tenderness and flavor. Forget long marinating times or endless frying; with your pressure cooker, you’ll have delicious wings ready in a flash, perfect for any occasion.

Why Instant Pot Chicken Wings Are a Game-Changer

If you’re a chicken wing enthusiast, you know that achieving that perfect balance of juicy interior and crispy exterior can be a challenge. That’s where the Instant Pot shines! Pressure cooking makes the chicken wings incredibly tender and succulent, literally falling off the bone, in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. This initial step is key to locking in moisture and flavor, creating a perfect canvas for whatever sauce or seasoning you desire. While some prefer boneless, a truly satisfying chicken wing experience, in my opinion, always comes from the bone-in variety. The bone adds depth of flavor and texture that boneless wings simply can’t replicate.

Looking for more amazing Instant Pot recipes? Don’t miss out on my Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup for a comforting classic, the sweet and creamy Instant Pot Arroz con Leche, or the hearty and flavorful Instant Pot Beef Stew. Each recipe showcases the versatility and efficiency of pressure cooking!

The Art of Seasoning Your Pressure Cooked Chicken Wings

A truly great chicken wing starts with excellent seasoning. I’m a firm believer in building flavor from the ground up. While I’ve prepared a robust spice blend for these Instant Pot chicken wings, don’t hesitate to customize it to your personal preference. Cooking is all about creativity and making a dish your own!

My go-to seasoning blend typically includes granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This combination creates a savory base that pairs beautifully with a wide range of sauces. However, feel free to experiment with smoky chili powder, a pinch of cayenne for heat, or even a dash of your favorite poultry seasoning. For those who enjoy a more aromatic profile, sautéing fresh onions and minced garlic with the chicken wings in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking can add another layer of incredible flavor. If you plan to enjoy these tender Instant Pot wings without sauce, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice after cooking and a sprinkle of chopped parsley or cilantro can elevate them beautifully.

Sauce It Up or Keep It Simple

The beauty of these pressure cooked chicken wings lies in their versatility. You can go as wild or as minimalist as you like! For this particular recipe, I opted for the classic convenience of a store-bought barbecue sauce – a quick and delicious choice when time is of the essence. However, if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade sauces truly take these wings to the next level. Last year, I crafted an unforgettable sauce for my Jack Daniels Chicken and Shrimp, and those flavors would be absolutely phenomenal on these wings. Another incredible option is the sweet and savory glaze from my honey baked turkey wings recipe.

Beyond BBQ, the possibilities are endless. Toss your wings in a spicy buffalo sauce for a classic kick, a sticky honey garlic glaze for Asian-inspired flavors, or even a tangy lemon pepper seasoning for a dry rub alternative. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; these tender Instant Pot wings are robust enough to handle any flavor profile you throw at them.

The Secret to Crispy Instant Pot Chicken Wings: A Two-Step Method

The best part about making chicken wings in the Instant Pot is the incredible speed at which they cook. The pressure cooker renders them perfectly tender in just 10 minutes! However, to achieve that desirable crispy skin that we all crave, a second step is essential. After their time in the Instant Pot, these wings get a quick finish in a hot oven (or air fryer!).

The moment the Instant Pot releases its steam, I transfer the wings to a bowl, generously toss them with my chosen sauce, and then spread them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. A quick 10-minute roast in a 450°F oven is all it takes to transform them from succulent to sensationally crispy. This two-step process ensures you get maximum flavor and texture without the fuss or grease of deep frying. The total active cooking time is an unbeatable 20 minutes – you simply can’t beat that for homemade crispy wings!

This method not only saves time but also allows you to control the level of crispness. If you like them extra crispy, a quick broil for an additional 2-3 minutes (watching carefully to prevent burning) will give you that irresistible crunch. Serve these glorious Instant Pot chicken wings on game day, at parties, or as a quick weeknight dinner with some cool ranch or creamy bleu cheese dressing for the ultimate crowd-pleaser!

Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

5 out of 5 stars based on 2 votes

Instant Pot Chicken Wings

By Julie Maestre

Instant Pot chicken wings, seasoned and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes, resulting in tender, juicy wings with a perfectly crispy finish.

Prep Time: 3 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 23 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs bone-in chicken wings
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup bbq sauce (or your favorite wing sauce)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Drizzle about 3 tbsp of oil into your Instant Pot and press the “Saute” function. Allow the pot to heat up.
2. Once the Instant Pot is hot, carefully add the bone-in chicken wings. Immediately season them generously with granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir the wings to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings. Then, pour in 1 cup of water.
4. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) function and set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure.
5. While the wings are pressure cooking, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, and place a wire rack on top.
6. Once the 10 minutes of pressure cooking are complete, perform a quick release of the steam by carefully moving the valve to the venting position. Wait until all the steam has completely escaped and the float valve drops before opening the lid.
7. Carefully transfer the cooked chicken wings to a large bowl. Pour 1 cup of your preferred BBQ sauce over the wings and toss until every wing is thoroughly coated.
8. Arrange the sauced wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack over the baking sheet.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the wings are nicely browned and crispy to your liking. For an extra crisp finish, you can switch to broiler for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
10. Serve your delicious Instant Pot chicken wings immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side, and a generous dollop of bleu cheese dressing or ranch. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

For even saucier wings, brush an additional layer of BBQ sauce onto the wings after baking for 10 minutes, then broil for another 2 minutes until bubbly and caramelized. Adjust seasoning to your taste before pressure cooking. These wings can also be crisped in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 829mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.