Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Legs: Perfect Timing, Tender Meat

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal, look no further than Instant Pot BBQ chicken legs! This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you're short on time or feeding a crowd. The Instant Pot pressure cooker does all the work, resulting in tender and juicy chicken legs that are full of flavour. The best part? You can use your favourite BBQ sauce and customise the recipe with a variety of spices and seasonings.

How to make a dry rub for BBQ chicken legs

Ingredients

A dry rub is a great way to add flavour to your BBQ chicken legs. You can make a large batch and store it in an airtight container to use whenever you want to fire up the grill. Here are some ingredients you can use to make a delicious dry rub:

• Brown sugar or coconut sugar
• Salt (kosher salt or sea salt)
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika powder
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano)
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground mustard seed
• Ground chipotle powder

Making the Dry Rub

Combine all your chosen ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. You can also use a food processor or blender to ensure the spices are thoroughly combined.

Applying the Dry Rub

Place your chicken legs on a plate and sprinkle the dry rub generously over them. Massage the rub into the chicken to ensure all parts are covered. It is recommended that you let the dry rub sit on the chicken for at least 15 minutes before cooking, and you can even leave it overnight in the refrigerator. If your chicken has skin, rub some of the spice mix under the skin as well.

Cooking the Chicken

There are various ways to cook your BBQ chicken legs, including grilling, baking, using an Instant Pot, or a combination of these methods. Here are some guidelines for each cooking method:

• Grilling: Set your grill to medium-high heat, around 350-400° Fahrenheit. Grill the chicken legs for about 25-30 minutes, turning them frequently, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°-175° Fahrenheit.
• Baking: Bake the chicken in an oven preheated to 375° Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
• Instant Pot: Place a trivet or steamer basket inside your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water or broth. Put the chicken legs on the trivet and cook at high pressure for 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release. You can then finish the chicken under the broiler in the oven for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Enjoy your delicious BBQ chicken legs!

How to cook BBQ chicken legs in an instant pot

Ingredients

• Chicken legs (6-8)
• BBQ sauce
• Spices (paprika, dry mustard, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper)
• 1 cup of water or broth
• Olive oil

Method

First, make a rub for your chicken legs by mixing your spices in a small bowl. You can add a little olive oil to the rub to help it stick to the chicken. Then, rub the mixture all over the chicken legs.

Next, pour 1 cup of water or broth into the instant pot insert, followed by the trivet and finally, the chicken drumsticks. Make sure the chicken legs are not touching the bottom of the pot by using the trivet that comes with most electric pressure cookers.

Lock the lid of the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, do a natural pressure release for another 10 minutes, followed by a quick release of the remaining pressure.

Once the pressure has been released and the pin has dropped, carefully remove the lid. At this stage, the chicken is technically cooked and ready to eat. However, for that extra caramelized coating, finish the legs under the grill or in the oven.

Place the chicken legs on a foil-lined baking sheet and coat generously with BBQ sauce. Place under a preheated grill or in a hot oven for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is sticky and caramelized.

And there you have it—tender, juicy, and full of flavor BBQ chicken legs!

How to finish BBQ chicken legs in the oven

Ingredients

To finish off your BBQ chicken legs in the oven, you will need:

• BBQ chicken legs, cooked in an instant pot
• BBQ sauce
• A baking sheet
• Aluminum foil
• A basting brush

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Legs

Once your chicken legs are cooked in the instant pot, remove them and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Ensure that the chicken legs are in a single layer.

Step 2: Coat with BBQ Sauce

Using a basting brush, generously coat the chicken legs with your favourite BBQ sauce. You can also add extra spices to your sauce for more depth of flavour. For example, you could add garlic powder, onion powder, and white vinegar.

Step 3: Broil the Chicken Legs

Place the chicken legs in the oven under the broiler. Broil for around 5 minutes, or until the sauce starts to bubble and caramelize. Keep a close eye on the chicken to prevent burning, and turn the legs frequently.

Step 4: Serve

Your chicken legs are now ready to serve! You can serve them as an appetizer or as a main meal. Enjoy!

How to make BBQ chicken legs in an instant pot with frozen chicken

Ingredients:

• 8 frozen chicken legs
• 1 cup of water or broth
• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce

Utensils:

• Instant Pot
• Small bowl
• Large bowl
• Basting brush
• Foil-lined baking sheet
• Oven

Method:

First, mix the spices and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place the frozen drumsticks in a large bowl and rub with the spice mixture. Make sure the frozen drumsticks are coated well so that none of the seasoning falls off.

Next, add 1 cup of water or broth and the trivet to the inner pot of the instant pot. Place the chicken legs on the trivet. Pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce on the legs and spread with a basting brush.

Lock the lid of the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Then, release the rest of the pressure manually.

Preheat the broiler of your oven. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Carefully place the chicken legs on the foil in a single layer. Use a basting brush to brush the remaining BBQ sauce on the chicken legs.

Place the chicken legs in the oven under the broiler and broil until the sauce starts to bubble and caramelize. This should take about 5 minutes.

Tips:

• If you don't have a trivet, you can use anything oven-safe that will fit in the instant pot and will keep the meat off the bottom. A metal steamer basket would work well.
• You can use any BBQ sauce you like, but if you want to keep the recipe keto-friendly, opt for a sugar-free sauce.
• You can also make your own BBQ sauce!
• If you want to add extra crunch to your chicken legs, you can place them under the broiler for 2 minutes on each side after brushing with BBQ sauce.
• You can serve these chicken legs with a variety of sides, such as a green salad, pasta salad, baked potatoes, or corn on the cob.

What to serve with BBQ chicken legs

BBQ chicken legs are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Here are some ideas for what to serve with BBQ chicken legs:

• Potato Salad: A classic side dish that pairs well with BBQ chicken. It is creamy, hearty, and delicious. You can make it even more filling by adding hard-boiled eggs to the mix.
• Corn on the Cob: This classic side dish is perfect for backyard barbecues. Slather on some butter, salt, and pepper, and you're ready for summer. It is a crowd-pleaser that is sweet, crunchy, and buttery.
• Mac and Cheese: A comforting side dish that is always welcome at any party, especially barbecues. The cheesiness complements the smoky and savory flavors of the barbecue.
• Baked Beans: A classic BBQ side dish that combines navy beans, bacon, onion, molasses, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. It can be made in a crockpot or on the stovetop.
• Coleslaw: Whether you prefer a rich and creamy mayo-based slaw or a tangy vinegar-based one, coleslaw is a perfect pairing for BBQ chicken. It has light and zesty flavors that balance out the smokiness of the meat.
• Cornbread: Another long-time staple at barbecues. Homemade cornbread with some butter or honey on top is a perfect side dish. You can also serve it with jams or jellies for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Biscuits: Fluffy, homemade biscuits are a classic comfort food that goes great with BBQ chicken, beans, and all the fixings. Spread some butter on top for an extra touch of flavor.
• Greek Pasta Salad: A refreshing side dish that pairs well with the savory main dish. It is filled with fusilli pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
• Wedge Fries: These wedge fries are baked, not fried, but they still taste incredibly sinful. The key is to boil them for 3 minutes before baking to break up the starches and make them super crispy.
• Sweet Potato Sides: Sweet potatoes make for a satisfying and flavorful side dish. You can make sweet potato fries, baked sweet potatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes to satisfy a hungry crowd. The sweetness cuts through the richness of the barbecue.
• Corn Pudding: A classic comfort food that is super easy to make. Just combine all the ingredients, pour them into a casserole dish, and bake. It is sure to be a favorite at any get-together.
• Fried Okra: A slightly less traditional side dish, but these bite-sized delights are a perfect addition to any barbecue. Simply coat the okra in cornmeal batter and fry until golden and crispy.
• Fried Green Tomatoes: This dish uses firm, unripe, green tomatoes that are sliced and soaked in cornmeal batter before being fried to perfection. The result is subtly tart tomatoes with a crunchy and savory batter.
• Watermelon: A must-have at any backyard BBQ, especially during the summer. Cut up thick wedges of watermelon and watch them disappear! You can also grill fruit like peaches, nectarines, and watermelon for a smoky twist.
• Rice: A simple and starchy side dish that beautifully soaks up the smoky sauce of the chicken. For a healthier version, use brown rice or quinoa.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless! Get creative and choose sides that complement the flavors of BBQ chicken legs and that your guests will love.

Frequently asked questions