Ultimate Instant Pot Chicken Wings: Crispy, Juicy, & Ready for Game Day!
Get ready for game day, your next party, or just a fun appetizer with this incredibly easy recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Wings. These delicious wings cook perfectly in the pressure cooker in no time, delivering tender, juicy results every single time!
There’s something undeniably satisfying about a plate of perfectly cooked chicken wings. Whether it’s the classic spicy kick of Buffalo wings, the sticky sweetness of BBQ, or a unique flavor you create, they are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. I often find myself craving them as an appetizer at restaurants, but the truth is, making them at home is surprisingly simple – especially with the Instant Pot!
Forget the messy deep-frying or the long baking times. The Instant Pot transforms the process, doing most of the work for you and ensuring your wings turn out incredibly tender and juicy. And with a quick finish under the broiler, you can achieve that coveted crispy skin that makes homemade wings truly irresistible. This method not only saves time but also guarantees a consistent texture that’s perfect for soaking up your favorite sauces. You’ll wonder why you ever made them any other way!
These Instant Pot chicken wings are guaranteed to be the star of your next gathering. While popular dips like Refried Bean Dip are always a hit, trust me, these flavorful wings might just be the first thing to vanish from the table. They’re that good!
How To Cook Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious chicken wings in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. The pressure cooker handles the heavy lifting, ensuring the chicken is cooked through and tender, while a quick broil delivers that crispy skin we all love. Follow these simple steps for perfect results:
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Begin by pouring 1 cup of water into the base of your Instant Pot. This water creates the steam necessary for pressure cooking. Crucially, you must use the trivet (wire rack) that comes with your Instant Pot. Placing the wings directly into the water will result in mushy, undesirable wings, so ensure they are elevated on the rack.
- Season Your Wings: Before adding them to the pot, generously season your chicken wings. I prefer using seasoned salt for a classic flavor, simply tossing the wings to ensure they are well-coated. However, feel free to experiment with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper for a kick, or even a pre-made dry rub for unique flavors. Thorough seasoning at this stage locks in taste.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Carefully arrange the seasoned wings on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Ensure they are not submerged in water. Secure the lid, make sure the sealing valve is set to “Sealing,” and set your pressure cooker to High Pressure for 10 minutes. This quick cooking time is a major advantage of the Instant Pot!
- Release Pressure and Prepare Sauce: Once the 10-minute cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. This natural release helps keep the chicken incredibly tender and juicy. After 5 minutes, carefully quick-release any remaining pressure. While the wings are cooking, this is the perfect time to melt your butter and hot sauce together, preparing your delicious Buffalo sauce.
- Sauce and Serve: Once the pressure is fully released and it’s safe to open the lid, carefully remove the cooked wings from the pot using tongs. Immediately transfer them to a large bowl and toss them thoroughly with your prepared sauce, ensuring every wing is beautifully coated.
- Optional (But Highly Recommended) Broil for Crispy Skin: This step is the secret to achieving that coveted crispy skin, just like traditional fried wings, without the mess! Arrange the sauce-coated wings in a single layer on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Slide them under a preheated broiler for a few minutes, typically 4-5 minutes, watching them closely to prevent burning. This quick blast of high heat will crisp up the skin, adding an irresistible crunch and extra layer of flavor that elevates these Instant Pot wings from good to absolutely amazing!
Making chicken wings in the Instant Pot is not only incredibly easy but also significantly faster than traditional methods. While I’ve enjoyed making Baked Chicken Wings before, which also turn out crispy and delicious, they typically require about an hour in the oven. These Instant Pot wings are ready in just 10-15 minutes of active pressure cooking, plus a few minutes under the broiler, making them an ideal, quick, and simple appetizer for anyone to prepare, even on a busy weeknight.
Cooking Fresh or Thawed Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot
For fresh or thawed chicken wings, the cooking time in the Instant Pot is optimized for tenderness and flavor. You’ll cook them for 10 minutes on High Pressure, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release. This combination ensures they are perfectly cooked through and ready for your favorite sauce and a quick crisp under the broiler.
Can I Cook Frozen Wings in the Instant Pot? Absolutely!
Yes, you absolutely can cook frozen chicken wings directly in the Instant Pot! This is one of the pressure cooker’s greatest advantages – no need to thaw in advance. The seasoning might not adhere quite as well to frozen wings, so I recommend sprinkling a little extra on top before sealing the lid. For frozen wings, increase the cooking time to 15 minutes on High Pressure, followed by the same 5-minute natural pressure release. They will come out just as tender and ready for saucing and crisping!
Expert Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings
Achieving restaurant-quality wings at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- Always Use the Trivet/Wire Rack: This is a non-negotiable step. The trivet keeps your wings out of the cooking liquid, allowing them to steam perfectly under pressure. If you’ve misplaced your Instant Pot trivet, you can fashion a makeshift rack using crumpled aluminum foil balls or even a heat-safe steamer basket, ensuring the wings are elevated above the water.
- Broiling is Your Best Friend for Crispiness: While not strictly mandatory, broiling the chicken wings after pressure cooking is highly recommended. It’s the secret to replicating the crispy skin texture of traditional fried wings. If you don’t have a broiler, an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-8 minutes or a very hot oven (450°F/230°C) can achieve similar results. Just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Handle with Care After Pressure Cooking: The Instant Pot makes wings incredibly tender, which means they can be delicate. Use tongs to remove them from the pressure cooker one at a time. Avoid pouring them out, as this can cause the meat to fall off the bone or lose that delicious skin, which you’ll want intact for crisping.
- Toss with Your Favorite Sauce: Buffalo sauce is a classic for a reason, but the beauty of these Instant Pot wings is their versatility! Experiment with a variety of sauces: tangy barbecue, sweet chili, savory garlic parmesan, zesty lemon pepper, or even a honey-sriracha glaze. Toss the wings while they’re still warm to ensure the sauce adheres beautifully. You can even warm your sauce slightly before tossing for an even better coating.
- Batch Cooking for Crowds: If you’re feeding a large group, you can easily cook Instant Pot chicken wings in batches. The cooking time remains the same. Just ensure you don’t overcrowd the pot in each batch to allow for even cooking.
- Serving Suggestions: Classic pairings include cool and creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing, along with crisp celery and carrot sticks to balance the richness and spice.
Serving, Storage, and Reheating Your Delicious Wings
Once your Instant Pot chicken wings are perfectly crisp and sauced, they are best served immediately. Arrange them on a platter with your favorite dips – classic blue cheese or ranch dressing are always a hit – and don’t forget some fresh celery and carrot sticks for a refreshing crunch. For an extra touch, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives.
Storage:
Should you have any leftovers (a rare occurrence with these delicious wings!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to store them without extra sauce, or with minimal sauce, if you plan to reheat them for crispiness.
Reheating:
To bring your leftover wings back to their crispy glory, avoid the microwave if possible. The best methods for reheating include:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place wings on a baking sheet and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
- Air Fryer: Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and hot.
- Broiler: A quick minute or two under the broiler can also revive their crispness, but watch them very carefully to prevent burning.
If you’re reheating plain wings, you can toss them in fresh sauce after they’ve crisped up.
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes to Try
The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen powerhouse, perfect for more than just wings! 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
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp seasoned salt
Sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce
- 3 Tbsp butter
Instructions
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Toss chicken wings evenly with seasoned salt.
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Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the wire rack (trivet) inside the pressure cooker, ensuring it’s elevated.
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Carefully place the seasoned wings on the wire rack. Cover, lock the pressure cooker lid, ensure the sealing valve is closed, and set it to High Pressure for 10 minutes if using thawed or fresh wings, or 15 minutes for frozen wings.
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While the wings are cooking, melt the butter and hot sauce together in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir until well combined.
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Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully finish with the quick release by turning the sealing valve to “Venting.”
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Using tongs, carefully remove the cooked wings from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Toss immediately with the prepared buffalo sauce until all wings are evenly coated.
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For crispy skin, place the sauced wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Broil for 4-5 minutes, watching closely, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
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Serve your crispy Instant Pot chicken wings immediately with additional sauce and your favorite dips, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Conclusion: Your Go-To Recipe for Perfect Instant Pot Wings
There you have it – a foolproof method for creating mouth-watering chicken wings right in your Instant Pot. This recipe delivers all the flavor and texture you crave in a fraction of the time, with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, planning a casual get-together, or simply treating yourself to a delicious appetizer, these Instant Pot Chicken Wings are sure to impress. Their juicy interior and perfectly crisped exterior, coated in your favorite sauce, make them an instant hit. So, grab your Instant Pot, pick your favorite sauce, and get ready to enjoy some of the best homemade wings you’ve ever tasted!
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