Instant Pot Chicken Wings

These Instant Pot Chicken Wings are the ultimate fusion of crispy, tender, and flavorful. Thanks to the Instant Pot, they cook in a fraction of the time but still achieve that mouthwatering crunch on the outside while staying juicy on the inside. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a game day party or just craving a simple yet delicious meal. With a few simple ingredients, you can create wings that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Customize the flavor with your favorite hot sauce or dipping sauce, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing meal in no time.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 10 chicken wings, trimmed and patted dry

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

2. Set the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and let it heat up. Once hot, add the wings and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin is crispy and browned.

3. Remove the wings and set them aside. Add the water, soy sauce, honey, and hot sauce (if using) to the Instant Pot and stir to combine.

4. Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot and arrange the chicken wings on top of it.

5. Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before doing a quick release.

6. Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a plate and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Instant Pot Chicken Wings: The Ultimate Guide for Perfectly Crispy and Juicy Wings

When it comes to comfort food, few things compare to a plate of perfectly cooked chicken wings. Whether you’re preparing them for a weeknight dinner, a game day snack, or a weekend gathering, chicken wings never fail to impress. However, traditional methods of cooking wings such as frying or baking can be time-consuming and often result in inconsistent textures. Enter the Instant Pot: this versatile kitchen appliance can transform your chicken wings into crispy, juicy perfection in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional methods.

In this article, we’ll explore why using the Instant Pot to cook chicken wings is a game-changer. We’ll also share tips on how to make your wings crispy and flavorful, and why this cooking method is becoming a favorite for so many home cooks.

Why Choose the Instant Pot for Chicken Wings?

If you’ve never used an Instant Pot to cook chicken wings, you’re in for a treat. The Instant Pot combines pressure cooking with a sauté function, making it easy to achieve the perfect balance of crispy skin and tender meat. Here’s why the Instant Pot is the best tool for cooking chicken wings:

1. Speed and Convenience
   One of the primary reasons people turn to the Instant Pot is its ability to cook food quickly. Traditional methods of preparing chicken wings, like baking or deep-frying, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more. The Instant Pot cuts that time dramatically. In just 20 minutes, you can have perfectly cooked wings, which is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.

2. Tender Meat with a Crispy Exterior
   The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking feature locks in moisture, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and tender. The beauty of this method is that the wings are cooked through thoroughly while retaining their moisture. Once they’re done in the Instant Pot, a quick sauté or broil in the oven creates a crispy exterior, mimicking the texture of fried wings but without the added oil and mess.

3. One-Pot Cooking
   With the Instant Pot, you don’t need multiple pans and appliances to cook your wings. The Instant Pot allows you to sauté the wings, pressure cook them, and even finish them with a crisp  all in one pot. This reduces both the time spent cleaning up and the number of dishes you need to wash.

4. Customizable Flavor Profiles
   The Instant Pot’s design makes it easy to infuse flavors into your chicken wings. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, smoky, or savory, you can customize your marinade, rub, or sauce to create wings that match your taste. Plus, the pressure cooking process helps the flavors penetrate the chicken, making each bite packed with deliciousness.

Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Chicken Wings

While cooking chicken wings in an Instant Pot is incredibly easy, there are a few tricks to ensure your wings turn out perfectly every time. Here are some tips to elevate your Instant Pot chicken wings game:

1. Use Baking Powder for Crispiness

To achieve that desired crispy exterior, you can toss the chicken wings in baking powder before cooking them. Baking powder helps dry out the skin, promoting a crispier texture during the final sauté or broil. Be sure to coat the wings lightly and evenly with the baking powder, as using too much can cause the skin to turn gritty.

2. Sauté for Crispy Skin

While the Instant Pot does an excellent job cooking the chicken wings to tender perfection, the skin can sometimes remain a bit soft. To get that satisfying crunch, after pressure cooking the wings, use the sauté function to brown and crisp the skin. You can also transfer the wings to a hot oven or broiler for a few minutes to finish them off, ensuring that perfect crispy layer.

3. Don’t Overcrowd the Pot

While it’s tempting to throw all your wings into the Instant Pot at once, overcrowding can affect the cooking process. If there are too many wings in the pot, they may not cook evenly or release enough moisture, resulting in less-than-perfect wings. For the best results, cook wings in batches if necessary, especially if you’re preparing a large quantity.

4. Experiment with Marinades and Sauces

The Instant Pot makes it easy to infuse flavors into your chicken wings. For maximum flavor, marinate your wings for at least an hour before cooking, or coat them in a sauce during the last few minutes of sautéing. Whether you’re in the mood for classic buffalo sauce, honey garlic, teriyaki, or something more exotic, the Instant Pot helps lock in those flavors beautifully.

5. Use the Trivet for Even Cooking

For even cooking and to avoid soggy wings, use the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot. This allows the wings to sit above the liquid, which ensures they cook evenly and don’t get too wet from the steam. The result is a crispier skin and a perfectly cooked wing.

Instant Pot vs Traditional Cooking Methods

When comparing Instant Pot chicken wings to wings cooked via traditional methods like frying or baking, there are clear advantages to using the Instant Pot. Let’s break down the differences:

Cooking Time

Baking wings in the oven can take up to 45 minutes, and deep frying usually requires about 15-20 minutes of cooking time plus additional time for heating oil and frying. In contrast, the Instant Pot cooks wings in as little as 10 minutes, saving you time and allowing you to prepare your wings faster.

Crispiness

While deep frying creates that golden crispy skin, it also comes with the downside of excess oil and calories. The Instant Pot’s sauté function allows you to achieve a crispy exterior without the need for deep frying. You can also finish the wings in the oven or broiler for that extra crunch.

Flavor

The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking feature locks in moisture and allows the flavors to infuse into the chicken wings. On the other hand, deep-frying can sometimes result in oil-heavy wings, and baking doesn’t always infuse flavors as deeply as the Instant Pot method.

Health Factor

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of oil you consume, the Instant Pot is a much healthier option compared to frying. Pressure cooking doesn’t require any oil to cook the wings, making it a great alternative for anyone following a lower-fat diet.

Customizing Your Instant Pot Chicken Wings

One of the best parts of making chicken wings in the Instant Pot is how easy it is to experiment with different flavors. Whether you’re craving something spicy, sweet, or savory, you can tweak the recipe to fit your preferences. Here are some flavor combinations to try:

1. Buffalo Wings
   Classic buffalo wings are a crowd favorite. Simply toss the wings in hot sauce, melted butter, and a pinch of garlic powder before cooking them in the Instant Pot. After they’re done, toss them in more buffalo sauce for that spicy, tangy kick.

2. Honey Garlic Wings
   For a sweet and savory twist, try honey garlic wings. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a dash of ginger for an Asian-inspired marinade. The Instant Pot will lock in the sweetness of the honey and the depth of flavor from the garlic.

3. Teriyaki Wings
   Teriyaki sauce adds a savory-sweet richness to chicken wings. You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Marinate the wings for a few hours and pressure cook for a flavorful treat.

4. Lemon Pepper Wings
   For a zesty, citrusy bite, toss your wings with lemon juice, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper before cooking. The Instant Pot will lock in the fresh lemon flavor, making for a refreshing wing experience.

Conclusion:

Cooking chicken wings in the Instant Pot is a game-changer for home cooks. This method ensures perfectly cooked, juicy wings with minimal effort and time. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking feature helps lock in moisture while the sauté function adds a crispy exterior. Whether you like your wings spicy, sweet, or savory, the Instant Pot makes it easy to experiment with different flavors and sauces.

By following a few simple tips and tricks, you can master the art of making crispy, juicy chicken wings in the Instant Pot. The result? A meal that is not only quick and easy but also packed with flavor. So next time you’re craving wings, skip the deep fryer and reach for your Instant Pot your taste buds will thank you!