Transform your dinner routine with the ultimate Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings! Imagine sinking your teeth into incredibly juicy chicken wings, infused with a sweet and spicy rub, perfectly cooked in your Instant Pot. After their pressure cooker journey, these wings are generously coated in a rich, tangy BBQ sauce and then broiled or grilled to achieve that irresistible crispy skin and caramelized glaze. This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a game-changer for anyone craving restaurant-quality wings at home without the fuss. Prepare to be amazed!
Planning a grand summer feast? Pair these delectable wings with other crowd-pleasing dishes from your Instant Pot and slow cooker. For a complete spread, consider adding our tender Instant Pot Ribs and hearty Slow Cooker Baked Beans. Don’t forget a refreshing side like our Creamy Coleslaw to balance the rich flavors.
Effortless Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings: Your New Go-To Recipe
Get ready to be captivated by these luscious, sticky, and utterly delicious Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings. They are not just a feast for the eyes but a true delight for your taste buds. The moment you see their caramelized glaze, you’ll want to add them to your menu immediately. Much like our popular Instant Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, these wings are incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
With BBQ season just around the corner and backyard potlucks filling up your calendar, it’s the perfect time to fire up your grill and, yes, your Instant Pot! My trusty digital pressure cooker has become an indispensable tool in my kitchen, consistently delivering the juiciest, most succulent results for everything from chicken breasts and wings to pulled pork and ribs. The Instant Pot takes care of the hard work, ensuring the meat is tender and flavorful. Then, all that’s left is a quick finish on the grill (or under the broiler) to achieve that signature smoky char and perfect caramelized crispiness. I love serving these BBQ Chicken Wings with classic summer sides like creamy potato salads, crisp coleslaw, and a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade. It’s the ultimate combination for a memorable meal!
Why Choose the Instant Pot for Your Chicken Wings?
The Instant Pot is a true culinary marvel, especially when it comes to chicken wings. Traditional methods often involve long baking times or deep-frying, which can be messy and time-consuming. With the Instant Pot, you get perfectly cooked, fall-off-the-bone tender wings in a fraction of the time. The high-pressure environment locks in moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out, while also allowing the flavors of your spice rub to deeply penetrate the meat. This means every bite is bursting with flavor and juiciness. Plus, using the Instant Pot means you won’t heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven for an extended period, which is a major bonus during those hot summer months. It’s an efficient, cleaner, and faster way to achieve BBQ wing perfection.
Mastering Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking BBQ chicken wings in your Instant Pot is surprisingly straightforward and yields exceptional results every time. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process to ensure your wings are juicy, tender, and ready for their flavorful BBQ sauce coating:
- **Prepare Your Instant Pot:** Begin by placing the trivet (or a steamer rack) inside the Instant Pot’s inner pot. Pour ½ cup of water into the bottom. This water is essential for creating the steam that builds pressure and cooks your wings.
- **Season the Wings:** First, ensure your chicken wings are patted thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for allowing the spice rub to adhere properly and contribute to a better texture later. In a small bowl, combine your chosen sweet and spicy rub ingredients (brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper). Generously sprinkle this mixture over the dried chicken wings, using your hands to rub it in evenly, ensuring every wing is well coated.
- **Arrange and Pressure Cook:** Carefully arrange the seasoned chicken wings on the trivet in a single layer if possible, or stacked loosely to allow for even cooking. Close the Instant Pot lid, making sure the sealing ring is properly in place. Rotate the steam release valve to the “sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on high pressure and set the timer for 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will then take approximately 10 minutes to build pressure, indicated by the float valve rising.
- **Natural Pressure Release:** Once the cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Immediately press the “Cancel/Off” button. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This “Natural Pressure Release” (NPR) is vital as it helps the wings stay incredibly juicy and tender. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the steam release valve to the “venting” position to quickly release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, it’s safe to open the lid, always tilting it away from your face to avoid the burst of steam. Gently remove the perfectly cooked chicken wings and transfer them to a large plate or bowl.
- **Sauce and Finish:** Pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the warm chicken wings. For an extra kick, now is the time to add a dash of hot sauce if you desire. Toss the wings gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated in the rich, sticky sauce.
- **Broil for Crispy Perfection (Oven Method):** For wonderfully crispy wings, arrange the sauce-coated chicken wings on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet under a preheated broiler for 2 to 5 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them to prevent burning. The goal is a beautifully caramelized, slightly charred skin. Once golden and crisp, remove from the oven, let them cool slightly, and serve.
- **Grill for Smoky Flavor (Outdoor Grill Method):** Alternatively, for that authentic smoky BBQ flavor, place the sauce-coated wings directly on a preheated outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, turning them frequently, until the BBQ sauce caramelizes and develops appealing grill marks. Remove from the grill, allow to cool briefly, and serve immediately.
Serve these fantastic Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings with extra BBQ sauce on the side and a generous stack of napkins – they’re irresistibly messy and delicious!
Prepping Your Wings: How to Cut Chicken Wings
Many recipes call for chicken wings to be separated into their individual sections. If you purchase whole chicken wings, a simple trimming process is required. A complete chicken wing typically comprises three distinct parts: the wing tip, the middle section known as the wingette (or flat), and the drumette (which resembles a miniature drumstick).
Here’s how to efficiently cut them:
- **Isolate the Wing Tip:** Start by locating the joint that connects the smallest part, the wing tip, to the middle section of the wing. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, carefully cut through this joint to separate the tip. These tips have very little meat and are often discarded. However, they are excellent for making homemade chicken stock, adding rich flavor to your broths.
- **Separate the Drumette and Wingette:** Next, identify the joint between the drumette and the wingette. Again, use your knife or shears to cut cleanly through this joint. You will now have two usable pieces: the drumette and the wingette. Both pieces cook beautifully and are perfect for this BBQ chicken wing recipe. Ensure all your wings are cut this way before proceeding with the seasoning and cooking steps outlined in the recipe below.
Customizing Your Flavor Profile: Rubs and Sauces
The beauty of this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings recipe lies in its versatility. While we provide a fantastic sweet and spicy rub, feel free to personalize the flavors to your liking. You can absolutely use your own beloved homemade spice rub, or opt for a high-quality store-bought blend for convenience. Just remember the golden rule: ensure the chicken wings are thoroughly patted dry before applying any rub. This allows the spices to adhere better and creates a more delicious crust during the finishing stage.
When it comes to the BBQ sauce, the world is your oyster! You can choose any brand and flavor profile that appeals to you – from smoky and sweet to tangy and spicy. For an unparalleled homemade taste, we highly recommend trying our Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make and offers a depth of flavor that store-bought options often can’t match. Whether you go homemade or store-bought, a good quality BBQ sauce is key to the irresistible sticky glaze of these wings.
Tips for Instant Pot Wing Success
- **Don’t Overcrowd the Pot:** While you can stack wings loosely, avoid packing the Instant Pot too tightly. For larger batches, it’s better to cook in two rounds to ensure even cooking and easier handling.
- **Pat Dry for Best Results:** We can’t stress this enough! Dry wings mean better rub adherence and a crispier finish.
- **Broiler vs. Grill:** Both methods work wonderfully for crisping up the wings. The broiler is quicker and great for rainy days, while the grill adds a delicious smoky flavor. Choose what works best for your setup.
- **Spice It Up or Tone It Down:** Adjust the cayenne pepper in the rub to suit your heat preference. You can also add a splash of hot sauce to your BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
- **Make Ahead:** The pressure-cooked wings can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply coat them in sauce and finish under the broiler or on the grill.
Explore More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of cooking chicken in your Instant Pot, you’re in for a treat! We have a collection of other fantastic Instant Pot chicken recipes that are just as easy and flavorful. Expand your culinary repertoire with these highly-rated dishes:
- Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Best Instant Pot Pulled Pork
If you try this delightful Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings recipe, we’d absolutely love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate it if you enjoyed it! Your feedback helps us and other home cooks discover new favorites.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken wings cut, tips discarded
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Place trivet in the Instant Pot insert. Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of it.
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Trim chicken wings if needed (see note), sprinkle with spice mix and rub it in with your fingers. Arrange chicken wings on the trivet. Close the IP lid, set the valve to “sealing” position and make sure the IP is set to high pressure. Press “manual” setting and adjust timer to 5 minutes. The IP will beep after a few seconds and start coming to pressure.
- Once done, the pressure cooker will beep. Press “cancel/off” button. Let the IP release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Then, flip the valve to “venting” position and release any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid away from your face. Remove chicken wings and place on a plate or in bowl.
- Pour BBQ sauce over chicken wings. Toss gently to coat.
- To finish off in the oven: arrange chicken wings on aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Place under broiler and broil for 2 to 5 minutes or until the skin looks caramelized. Remove from oven, let cool and serve.
- To finish off on a grill: place sauce coated chicken wings on grill, over the fire, and cook until the sauce is caramelized, flipping over as needed. Remove, let cool and serve.
Notes
- If you buy chicken wings whole, you need to trim them. A chicken wing consists of three parts: a wing tip, the wingette and the drumette. First locate the joint between the tip and the middle part of the wing. Cut through to separate. Discard tips or use to make chicken stock. Next, locate the joint between the drumette and the middle part of the wing and cut through. Now you have two pieces of the wing to use.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.