The Ultimate Guide to Crispy & Tender Instant Pot Chicken Wings
Get ready to elevate your game day experience, delight guests at your next party, or simply enjoy a fantastic appetizer any night of the week with this incredibly easy and delicious Instant Pot chicken wings recipe. Forget the deep fryer mess or long oven bake times; your pressure cooker is about to become your secret weapon for perfectly tender, juicy wings that are ready for a quick crisp under the broiler!
There’s something undeniably satisfying about a plate of perfectly cooked chicken wings. Whether drenched in a classic spicy buffalo sauce, glazed with a sticky BBQ, or seasoned with a savory dry rub, wings are a universal crowd-pleaser. For years, making restaurant-quality wings at home felt like a daunting task, often involving messy frying or lengthy baking. However, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot, achieving that ideal balance of tender meat and crisp skin is now simpler and faster than ever before. This recipe harnesses the power of pressure cooking to deliver flawlessly cooked wings in a fraction of the time, making them an ideal choice for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
These Instant Pot chicken wings are guaranteed to be the star of any spread. While classic party dips like Refried Bean Dip are always a hit, prepare for these succulent wings to be the first to vanish from the table. Their irresistible flavor and texture make them truly addictive!
Why Cook Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot?
If you’re wondering what makes the Instant Pot the best choice for chicken wings, here’s why:
- Speed: Pressure cooking drastically cuts down cooking time. What might take an hour or more in the oven or deep fryer is done in 10-15 minutes of active cook time in the Instant Pot.
- Tenderness: The high-pressure environment tenderizes the chicken meat beautifully, making it practically fall off the bone.
- Less Mess: No splattering oil from deep frying means significantly less cleanup in your kitchen.
- Efficiency: Once you set the Instant Pot, it’s a hands-off process, allowing you to focus on preparing sauces, dips, or other dishes.
- Consistent Results: The controlled environment of the pressure cooker ensures consistently juicy and tender wings every time.
Mastering Instant Pot Chicken Wings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious chicken wings in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked wings every time:
- Prepare Your Instant Pot: Begin by pouring 1 cup of water into the base of your Instant Pot. This water creates the steam needed for pressure cooking. Crucially, place the trivet (wire rack) that came with your Instant Pot into the pot. This keeps the chicken wings elevated above the water, preventing them from becoming soggy. Wings submerged in water will steam directly and result in a mushy texture, which is not what we’re aiming for!
- Season the Chicken Wings: Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere better and also aids in crisping them up later. Season generously with seasoned salt, tossing them gently in a bowl to ensure an even coating. You can also experiment with other dry rubs or spices at this stage, such as garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, or a specialized chicken rub.
- Load and Pressure Cook: Carefully arrange the seasoned chicken wings on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Try to place them in a single layer if possible, or stack them loosely, ensuring good air circulation. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, make sure the sealing valve is set to ‘Sealing,’ and set the pressure cooker to cook on HIGH pressure. For fresh or thawed wings, set the timer for 10 minutes.
- Natural Release & Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. This is called a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) and helps keep the chicken tender and prevents it from drying out. After 5 minutes, carefully switch the sealing valve to ‘Venting’ for a Quick Release (QR) to release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, the lid can be safely opened.
- Sauce Your Wings: While the wings are cooking, prepare your favorite sauce. For traditional Buffalo wings, melt butter and hot sauce together in a saucepan. Once the wings are cooked, carefully remove them from the Instant Pot using tongs and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour your chosen sauce over the wings and toss until each wing is beautifully coated.
- Broil for Ultimate Crispiness (Highly Recommended!): This is the game-changer step that gives your Instant Pot wings that coveted crispy skin, just like traditional fried wings, without the oil. Arrange the sauce-coated wings on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet (this allows air to circulate, promoting crispiness). Place the baking sheet under a preheated broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the skin achieves your desired level of crispiness. Keep a close eye on them, as broilers can vary in intensity, and wings can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly! This step is optional, but it truly elevates the texture and flavor.
This method is significantly faster than traditional baking (which can take about an hour for Baked Chicken Wings) and avoids the mess of deep frying. With just 10-15 minutes in the pressure cooker and a quick broil, you’ll have perfectly cooked wings ready to enjoy!
Instant Pot Chicken Wings: Fresh vs. Frozen
One of the many advantages of the Instant Pot is its versatility with both fresh and frozen ingredients. Here’s how to adjust your cooking for different types of wings:
How to Cook Fresh or Thawed Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot
For fresh or fully thawed chicken wings, the cooking time is straightforward. Pressure cook them on HIGH for 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural release before a quick release. This duration ensures the wings are thoroughly cooked, tender, and ready for saucing and broiling. Ensure your wings are separated and not frozen together before placing them in the pot for even cooking.
Can I Cook Frozen Wings in the Instant Pot? Absolutely!
Yes, cooking frozen chicken wings directly in the Instant Pot is one of its most impressive features and a huge time-saver! There’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Since seasoning doesn’t stick as well to frozen wings, I recommend sprinkling a little extra seasoned salt or your preferred spices over the top once they’re in the pot, just before you put on the lid. For frozen wings, increase the cooking time to 15 minutes on HIGH pressure. Again, follow this with a 5-minute natural release and then a quick release. The longer cooking time accounts for the temperature difference and ensures the wings are cooked through and tender.
Essential Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Wings (and other flavors!)
Achieving perfectly tender and crispy Instant Pot chicken wings is easy with a few key tips:
- Utilize the Trivet Rack: The wire trivet that comes with your Instant Pot is crucial. It keeps the wings out of the cooking liquid, allowing them to steam rather than boil, which is essential for texture. If you don’t have a trivet, you can fashion a sling out of aluminum foil to keep the wings elevated, or use a steamer basket designed for pressure cookers.
- Don’t Skip the Broiler (Unless You Prefer Steamed): While cooking the wings in the Instant Pot makes them incredibly tender, the broiler is what transforms them into crispy, restaurant-style wings. This step creates that desirable crunchy skin that is often associated with traditional fried wings. It’s optional if you prefer a softer texture, but highly recommended for that classic experience.
- Handle with Care: After pressure cooking, the wings will be very tender. Use tongs to carefully remove them from the Instant Pot one at a time. Avoid pouring them out, as this can cause the meat to separate from the bone or lose some of that precious skin. Gently transfer them to your saucing bowl.
- Experiment with Sauces: While buffalo sauce is a timeless classic and a personal favorite, the beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to toss your perfectly cooked wings in any sauce you love!
- Classic Buffalo: The go-to for spicy and tangy flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Sweet, smoky, and always a hit.
- Teriyaki Glaze: For an Asian-inspired twist.
- Garlic Parmesan: Creamy, savory, and rich.
- Lemon Pepper Dry Rub: For a zesty, non-sauced option, simply toss the broiled wings in lemon pepper seasoning.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your wings hot with classic accompaniments like celery sticks, carrot sticks, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing. A side of cooling dip is perfect for balancing the heat of buffalo wings.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat and re-crisp, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. The air fryer is also excellent for reheating wings!
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes to Try
The Instant Pot is a game-changer for so many delicious meals. If you loved these wings, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic Instant Pot dinner recipes:
- Instant Pot Jambalaya
- Instant Pot Pork Tacos
- Instant Pot Tortilla Soup
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
Instant Pot Chicken Wings
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings (flats and drumettes)
- 1 cup water (for the Instant Pot base)
- 1 Tbsp seasoned salt (or your preferred dry rub)
For the Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
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Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the seasoned salt until evenly coated.
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Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the wire trivet (rack) inside the pressure cooker, ensuring it sits above the water.
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Arrange the seasoned wings on the wire rack in the Instant Pot. Cover, lock the pressure cooker lid, ensure the sealing valve is set to ‘Sealing,’ and set to cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes if using fresh or thawed wings. For frozen wings, cook for 15 minutes on HIGH pressure.
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While the wings are pressure cooking, prepare your sauce. In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the hot sauce until well combined. Set aside.
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Once the Instant Pot cook time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes (NPR). After 5 minutes, carefully perform a Quick Release (QR) by turning the sealing valve to ‘Venting’ to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, open the lid.
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Using tongs, carefully remove the cooked wings from the pot and transfer them to the bowl with your prepared buffalo sauce. Toss gently until all wings are thoroughly coated.
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For crispy wings, preheat your oven broiler. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and arrange the sauced wings on the rack. Broil for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway, until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Watch them closely to prevent burning.
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Serve immediately with additional buffalo sauce, blue cheese or ranch dressing, and celery sticks if desired. Enjoy your perfectly tender and crispy Instant Pot Chicken Wings!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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