Chicken quarters are an economical, budget-conscious cut of meat that cooks up tender and flavorful when pressure cooked in an instant pot.
For optimal results, season the thighs and drumsticks with your favorite rub before pressure cooking. Be sure to season both front and back of the chicken for optimal flavor.
1. Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are so much tastier when made in the instant pot! This recipe calls for bone-in, skin-on thighs that have been seasoned with an easy spice rub and then cooked in the Instant Pot.
Season your chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then brown them in oil on the “saute” setting of your instant pot. Doing this helps to lock in flavor while keeping the meat from drying out during preparation.
Once the chicken has browned, add around 1 cup of broth to deglaze the bottom of your instant pot. Doing this helps scrape away any browned bits stuck to your poultry during searing.
Deglazing the bottom of your instant pot with liquids such as water, chicken broth, pineapple or apple juice is easy. Just be sure to scrape away any browned bits stuck at the bottom.
This recipe is an ideal way to utilize any leftover broth from other recipes or meals, and the liquid makes the perfect base for gravy. Once reduced into a thick and saucy sauce, serve it with chicken thighs and additional vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli or green beans if desired.
This delicious Instant Pot recipe features tender shredded chicken covered in a spicy, creamy cilantro sauce – making it the ideal low carb, gluten free dinner to whip up on a weeknight!
Make this delicious Instant Pot chicken and rice meal by seasoning the thighs with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Next, heat the oil in your Instant Pot on “saute” setting and cook the thighs until golden brown and crisp on both sides.
Once the thighs are browned, add some cornstarch to the hot broth in an Instant Pot and whisk until smooth. Next, turn your Instant Pot on to saute setting and simmer for several minutes to thicken up sauce. If desired, you can thin out sauce by adding additional water or chicken stock.
2. Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
Pressure cooker chicken breasts are an easy and delicious choice for dinners for the whole family or meal prepping the week ahead. Add them to soups, stews and other dishes for incredible flavor and juicy tenderness.
For optimal flavor, always mix up your chicken seasonings to achieve optimal results. Experiment with Italian seasoning, chili lime or ranch. Or opt for something classic: salt, pepper and garlic powder are plenty enough.
Aside from adding flavor, a seasoning blend can also tenderize meat without the need to pound it. Make sure to give each breast a good rub and sprinkle of seasoning before cooking so they are evenly covered in spices.
For fresh chicken breasts, cooking time at high pressure takes approximately 8 minutes. Frozen poultry requires a bit more time – approximately 10-12 minutes.
Be sure to set the vent to “sealed” before closing the lid; this will allow steam to accumulate and ensure your chicken cooks evenly.
Once the cook time is up, remove the chicken from its liquid and let rest for 5 minutes before serving or shredding. This ensures that your poultry is cooked through and all juices have been infused into the meat.
You can save the cooking liquid to add flavor to soups or stews. Alternatively, thicken the juices with a corn starch slurry for gravy.
Once your chicken is done cooking, transfer it to a cutting board and shred or chop with two forks or an electric mixer. You can freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag for up to three months in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag.
Instant pot chicken breasts make for a convenient meal prep option, as you can use them as the main course or serve them with various sauces, pasta and vegetables. Not only that but these chicken breasts make quick sandwiches, salads and snacks too!
3. Instant Pot Chicken Legs
This Instant Pot recipe delivers plump and juicy chicken legs the whole family will love. Plus, they’re super quick and simple to make on busy weeknights!
These drumsticks are marinated in a simple dry spice rub made up of just 6 pantry essential spices for plenty of flavor. After they’re cooked in the instant pot, top them off with your favorite BBQ sauce for an irresistible dinner!
This dry rub is made with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley oregano, black pepper and salt to create an irresistible blend of flavors that will ensure your chicken legs cook quickly and perfectly.
For an extra kick of heat, add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the dry rub. Another option is to blend dried herbs into the blend for enhanced flavor and texture.
You can adjust this Instant Pot chicken drumstick recipe to suit your family’s preferences. For instance, adding chili powder adds an irresistible spice while fresh lemon or lime juice adds a bright and tangy note.
Once the drumsticks have finished cooking, you can serve them with sides like crack potatoes and grilled vegetables. For a more substantial meal, pair your chicken legs with rice for an even more filling meal.
If you like your meat a bit saucier, brushing on some BBQ sauce before broiling for several minutes can add an extra layer of tenderness. It will transform the skin from soggy to crispy and make the insides super tender as well.
This is an ideal option for reheating leftovers or using up those extra drumsticks! You could also use them in quick and easy soups, or as the basis of a simple homemade quesadilla.
One last tip before cooking your Instant Pot chicken drumsticks is this: make sure they are dry before placing in the cooker. Otherwise, the skin won’t crisp when cooking in the pot and your drumsticks will come out rubbery and unpleasant!
4. Instant Pot Chicken Wings
If you’re a fan of chicken wings, these Instant Pot buffalo chicken wings are sure to please. These tender and juicy wings make the ideal game day appetizer or party snack!
Start by gathering all your ingredients: fresh or frozen chicken wings, a 3-ingredient buffalo sauce and some melted butter. These quick pressure cooker wings will be ready in less than 30 minutes – perfect for game night or as a light meal at your family gathering!
You can either opt for a pre-made wing sauce, or make your own by mixing hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar and cayenne powder. Alternatively, add some melted butter for additional flavor.
Once all ingredients are prepped, place them into an Instant Pot and cook on high for 11 minutes. When the timer has finished cooking, switch the valve to venting and release all of the pressure. Carefully take off the lid before placing your chicken wings onto a baking pan with wire rack to crisp up.
Once they’ve cooled, you can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to eat them again, simply heat them in the microwave until heated through.
If you’re not a fan of spicy food, these pressure cooker wings can also be made without the heat by using an easy sauce like honey garlic or barbecue. For something different, add some paprika or chili powder!
Another simple way to make these delicious pressure cooker chicken wings is by braise them in a spicy sauce in the oven. You could also broil them, but be sure to wait for them to brown slightly before serving them.
The Instant Pot is a fantastic tool for whipping up quick, delicious recipes. One of its many uses is these chicken wings in an Instant Pot! Not only are they super simple to make but take up minimal space in your kitchen as well – not to mention affordable!