Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

Chicken wings are a classic appetizer and game day snack. But traditional methods of cooking wings require deep frying or lengthy baking times. With the Instant Pot, you can make juicy, tender chicken wings in a fraction of the time. This easy Instant Pot chicken wings recipe will please even the pickiest wing lovers.

What Makes Instant Pot Chicken Wings So Good?

Instant Pot chicken wings get perfectly cooked in a fraction of the time thanks to the pressurized environment. The Instant Pot steams the wings, ensuring they stay juicy and tender. The short cook time also minimizes drying out. The result is wings with crispy skin and moist, fall-off-the-bone meat.

Quick Prep and Cook Time

It only takes about 5 minutes to prep the wings before pressure cooking. After just 15 minutes under pressure, the wings are fully cooked. Traditional oven baking takes 40-60 minutes. The Instant Pot cuts that time down by more than half.

Infuses Flavor

The sealed Instant Pot lets seasonings and sauces fully penetrate the chicken. Every bite is bursting with the flavors of your favorite wing sauce or dry rub.

Delicious Results

These Instant Pot wings come out with crispy skin and tender, succulent meat. They are just as good, if not better, than deep fried wings. The flavorful chicken and reduced cook time makes this a top choice for wing night.

Instant Pot Chicken Wing Ingredients

To make these wings, you just need a few simple ingredients:

• Chicken wings
• Oil
• Seasonings and sauces

Chicken Wings

Use bone-in chicken wings for the best flavor and texture. Avoid pre-cut wings as they won’t have the same juicy meat.

• Cut – Go for drummettes, flats, or keep wings whole. Cutting tips off whole wings gives the best results.
• Quantity – Figure roughly 5-8 wings per person for an appetizer. Adjust amount accordingly for your needs.
• Size – Opt for medium wings if available for the right balance of meat to bone.

Oil

A small amount of oil helps crisp up the skin. Avocado, olive, vegetable, or canola oil all work well.

Seasonings and Sauces

For maximum flavor, coat the wings in a dry rub, wet sauce, or both. Some tasty options:

• Dry rub – Cajun, lemon pepper, jerk seasoning
• Sauce – Buffalo, barbecue, teriyaki

Get creative and use your favorite flavors!

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings Step-By-Step

Ready to make these easy, delicious Instant Pot chicken wings? Follow these simple steps:

1. Add Oil to Instant Pot: Add 1-2 Tbsp of oil to coat the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot. Use oil with a high smoke point like avocado or vegetable oil.
2. Place Wings in Pot: Add washed and dried chicken wings to pot in a single layer.
3. Season Wings: Generously season both sides of wings with desired dry rub, wet sauce or both.
4. Secure Lid: Secure the lid and set valve to sealing position.
5. Pressure Cook Wings: Pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
6. Quick Release Pressure: After cook time is complete, use quick release method to release pressure.
7. Crisp Wings: For crisper skin, arrange wings on a baking sheet and broil 3-5 minutes on high.
8. Toss and Serve: Toss crispy broiled wings in more sauce to coat. Enjoy hot!

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Here are some tips to take your Instant Pot wings to the next level:

• Cut tips off – Cutting off wing tips before cooking helps wings cook evenly. Toss tips in sauce and enjoy as cook’s treat!
• Try a dry rub – For juicy wings with a kick of flavor, coat with a dry rub before pressure cooking.
• Quick release – Be sure to quick release pressure after cook time. Natural release will overcook wings.
• Broil after – Broiling the cooked wings crisps up the skin for finger-licking results.
• Toss in sauce – Tossing the broiled wings in sauce coats them with extra flavor.

Favorite Instant Pot Chicken Wing Recipes

The beauty of this Instant Pot chicken wings recipe is you can season them any way you like. Try these flavorful variations:

Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are a beloved appetizer consisting of fried chicken wings coated in a spicy hot sauce. The signature flaming red color comes from a cayenne pepper hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot.

The dish originated in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s and initially consisted of leftover wings deep fried and tossed in a spicy sauce. The recipe quickly became popular at bars and restaurants in the area before spreading across the country.

Today Buffalo wings are a game day staple, often served with a cool blue cheese dressing and crunchy celery sticks to balance out the heat. This iconic spicy snack is now a fixture on sports bar menus and home kitchens alike.

BBQ Wings

BBQ wings offer a sweet and smoky take on classic chicken wings. The wings are coated in a sticky, finger-licking BBQ sauce before being fried or baked until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. BBQ sauce flavors vary by region, from tangy vinegar-based in the Carolinas to mellow, molasses-kissed Kansas City style.

Whichever sauce you choose, BBQ wings offer that perfect balance of savory and sweet. The tender chicken soaks up the sauce flavors during cooking.

BBQ wings are often served with a ranch or blue cheese dip and pickled veggies for some welcome crunch and cooling contrast to the rich sauce. A perfect combination for your next game day spread.

Jerk Wings

Transport your tastebuds to the Caribbean with jerk wings. This fusion dish combines the beloved chicken wing with the vibrant spices of Jamaican jerk seasoning. The magic is in the homemade dry rub, which typically includes a blend of spicy peppers, aromatic allspice, garlic, and citrus.

This spice mix permeates the chicken as it cooks, infusing it with heat and tangy flavor. The wings get grilled or baked until slightly charred and crispy. Jerk wings pack some serious heat, which gets balanced out by serving them with a cooling ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce.

Their bold flavors and textures make these wings a favorite for those craving an adventurous twist on classic game day fare.

Lemon Pepper Wings

Lemon pepper wings offer a tangy, refreshing take on fried chicken wings. They get their name from the lemon pepper seasoning blend coating each piece. This zesty seasoning typically contains peppercorns, garlic powder, lemon zest, salt, and other spices.

As the wings fry up crispy in the oven or air fryer, the seasoning permeates the meat, infusing it with bright lemon flavor and a bit of heat. The tart lemon cuts through the rich fried coating on the juicy wings. Lemon pepper wings are often served with ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce to balance the tang.

Their bright citrus flavor makes these wings a go-to for those who crave a lighter alternative to heavier Buffalo or barbecue wings.

Teriyaki Wings

For a flavorful Asian-inspired twist on wings, teriyaki wings deliver. The chicken gets coated in a sweet and salty teriyaki glaze before roasting or frying. The classic teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, ginger, and garlic for a savory-meets-sweet flavor.

As the wings cook, the teriyaki glaze caramelizes, sealing in the flavor. The meat soaks up the salty-sweet glaze while getting crispy on the outside. These wings pack a satisfying umami punch balanced by a slight char.

Teriyaki wings are often sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and scallions for extra flavor and crunch. Their sticky glaze and charred edges make teriyaki wings a favorite fusion for Asian food fans.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Chicken Wings

1. How long should I pressure cook chicken wings?

Cook for 15 minutes on high pressure. Any longer can make the meat mushy.

2. Should wings be broiled after pressure cooking?

Broiling helps render fat and crisp up the skin. It’s optional but highly recommended for extra crispy wings.

3. What sauce works best for Instant Pot wings?

Thick, sticky sauces like Buffalo, barbecue, and teriyaki coat the wings nicely. Thin sauces can make the skin soggy.

4. Can I use frozen wings in the Instant Pot?

Yes, but add 5 extra minutes to the cook time if starting with frozen wings.

5. How many wings will fit in a 6 quart Instant Pot?

You can fit up to 36-40 wings in a 6 quart model. Reduce amount if making more than one layer.

Enjoy Juicy, Flavor-Packed Instant Pot Chicken Wings Tonight

These Instant Pot chicken wings are guaranteed to be a big hit at your next party or family dinner. With just a few minutes prep time and 15 minutes cook time, you can have piping hot, juicy wings ready in less than 30 minutes. The pressure cooking seals in flavor and juices while the broiler crisps up the skin.

So take your wing game to new heights with this easy Instant Pot recipe. Simply toss the cooked wings in your favorite sauce and get ready to impress! From classic Buffalo to sticky teriyaki, the flavor options are endless. Make this recipe today and transform a takeout favorite into a homemade masterpiece.