Enjoy tender, flavorful BBQ chicken legs with this convenient Instant Pot recipe. Perfect for busy schedules, these make-ahead drumsticks are seasoned with a blend of spices, pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, and finished with your favorite barbecue sauce for a delicious meal that’s ready when you are.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Preparation: Utilizing the Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time compared to traditional methods, delivering succulent chicken legs in under an hour.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the chicken legs in advance and simply reheat and glaze them when ready to serve, making mealtime stress-free.
- Customizable Flavors: Use your preferred barbecue sauce and adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- Perfect for Gatherings: These chicken legs are ideal for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners, offering a crowd-pleasing dish with minimal effort.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Chicken drumsticks
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Garlic powder
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Chili powder
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Red pepper flakes
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Water
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Barbecue sauce of your choice
Directions
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Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken drumsticks and toss until evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
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Prepare the Instant Pot: Pour water into the Instant Pot and place a trivet or steaming rack inside. Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on the trivet, stacking them crosswise if necessary to ensure proper cooking.
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Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release to vent any remaining pressure.
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Optional Grilling or Broiling: For a caramelized finish, preheat your grill or broiler. Brush the chicken legs with barbecue sauce and grill or broil for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the sauce is bubbly and slightly charred.
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Serve: Serve the chicken legs hot, accompanied by additional barbecue sauce if desired.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (including pressure build-up)
Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Variations
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Spicy Kick: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for extra heat.
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Sweet and Smoky: Use a honey-based barbecue sauce or add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the seasoning mix for a sweeter flavor profile.
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Herb Infusion: Incorporate dried herbs such as thyme or oregano into the seasoning mix for added depth of flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Storing: Allow the cooked chicken legs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Place cooled chicken legs in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, thaw frozen chicken legs in the refrigerator overnight if applicable. Warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave on high in 1-minute intervals until warm.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for drumsticks. Adjust the cooking time to 12 minutes on High Pressure to ensure they are cooked through.
Do I need to marinate the chicken before cooking?
Marinating is not necessary for this recipe, as the pressure cooking process infuses the seasoning into the meat. However, you can marinate the chicken for a few hours if you prefer a more intense flavor.
Can I cook the chicken without a trivet?
While a trivet helps keep the chicken elevated above the water, you can cook the drumsticks directly in the water if needed. Note that the texture may be slightly different.
How can I make the chicken skin crispier?
After pressure cooking, pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels before grilling or broiling. This will help achieve a crispier skin.
Is it possible to double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients to make more servings. Ensure not to exceed the maximum fill line of your Instant Pot, and be aware that the pot may take longer to come to pressure.
Can I use frozen chicken legs?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken legs in the Instant Pot. Increase the pressure cooking time to 15 minutes and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
What sides pair well with BBQ chicken legs?
Classic sides include coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, potato salad, or grilled vegetables.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Cook the seasoned chicken legs on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, then finish with barbecue sauce as desired.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill or broiler pan?
Lightly oil the grill grates or broiler pan before cooking to prevent sticking.
Can I use homemade barbecue sauce?
Absolutely! Homemade barbecue sauce can add a personalized touch to the dish and allow you to control the ingredients and flavor.
Conclusion
These Instant Pot Make-Ahead BBQ Chicken Legs are a delicious, time-saving solution for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting a casual get-together, this recipe offers juicy, flavorful results with minimal effort. Customize it to your liking and enjoy the convenience of make-ahead magic!
Print
Instant Pot Make-Ahead BBQ Chicken Legs
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Instant Pot Make-Ahead BBQ Chicken Legs are tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor. Pressure-cooked to perfection and finished with your favorite barbecue sauce, this quick and easy recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or crowd-pleasing gatherings. A no-fuss solution for perfectly cooked chicken in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
2–3 lbs chicken drumsticks
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup water
1 cup barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
Instructions
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In a large bowl, mix garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Add drumsticks and toss to coat evenly.
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Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place a trivet inside. Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on the trivet.
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Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 10 minutes.
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Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
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Optional: For a charred finish, brush cooked chicken with BBQ sauce and broil or grill for 2–3 minutes per side.
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Serve hot with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken ahead of time—but it’s not required.
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or use a honey-based BBQ sauce for a sweeter version.
Use chicken thighs or wings if preferred—adjust cooking time as needed.
Frozen chicken legs can be used—pressure cook for 15 minutes.
Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (plus time to build pressure)
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking, Broiling (optional)
- Cuisine: American
