Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Wings: Tender, Juicy, And Quick!

Chicken wings are a popular dish for parties, game days, and summer cookouts. They can be made in an instant pot in just 30 minutes, making them a quick and easy option for your next gathering. The instant pot helps keep the wings juicy, and you can finish them off in the oven or on the grill to get a crispy skin.

To make BBQ chicken wings in an instant pot, you will need chicken wings, a dry rub or marinade of your choice, and BBQ sauce. You can also add apple cider vinegar to the instant pot to help break down the fat in the skin.

First, marinate the wings in your chosen rub or marinade. Then, place the wings in the instant pot with water and/or vinegar and cook on high pressure for around 5 minutes. Quick release the pressure and transfer the wings to a baking sheet or grill. Sprinkle with more rub or sauce and cook until the skin is crisped to your liking.

Trimming the chicken wings

Firstly, it is important to note that a chicken wing consists of three parts: the wing tip, the wingette, and the drumette. To begin trimming, use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to locate and cut through the joint between the tip and the middle part of the wing. You can choose to discard the tips or use them to make chicken stock.

Next, locate the joint between the drumette and the middle part of the wing and cut through it. This will give you two pieces of the wing to work with.

After cutting the wings into their respective parts, it is important to pat them dry with paper towels. This step will help the spice rub or seasoning adhere better to the wings.

Now, it's time to apply the spice rub. You can use a store-bought rub, your own blend, or the one provided in the recipe. The spice rub typically includes a combination of spices such as brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix generously over the wings and use your fingers to rub it in, ensuring an even coating.

Once the wings are trimmed, spiced, and ready, you can proceed with the cooking process in your Instant Pot, following your chosen recipe's instructions.

Preparing the spice rub

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic spice rub, you'll need a combination of spices such as salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. You can adjust the quantities to your taste preferences, but a good starting point is 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. If you want to get creative, feel free to experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika, ground coriander, or ground fennel seed.

Now, it's time to mix your spices. Combine all the spices in a small bowl and give them a good mix until they are evenly distributed. You can also make a larger batch of this spice rub and store it in an airtight container to use for future wing nights or even for seasoning other meats like ribs or pork tenderloin.

Once your spice rub is ready, it's time to prepare the chicken wings. Rinse the wings under cold running water and then pat them dry with paper towels. You want to make sure the wings are nice and dry so that the spice rub adheres well.

Take your spice rub and generously sprinkle it over the chicken wings. Use your hands to rub the spices evenly over each wing, making sure they are well coated. Don't be shy with the rub; you want those wings packed with flavour! You can even sprinkle a little extra on for good measure.

At this point, you have the option to let the wings marinate in the spice rub. Place the seasoned wings in a plastic bag or a covered container and pop them in the fridge. Let them marinate for at least an hour, or even overnight if you're planning ahead. This step is optional but will intensify the flavours and really take your wings to the next level.

And there you have it! Your spice rub is now ready to be used in your Instant Pot BBQ chicken wings recipe. Remember, this is just one step in the process, and there are other important steps to follow, such as cooking the wings in the Instant Pot and then finishing them off in the oven or grill for that perfect crispy skin. But a good spice rub will elevate your wings and have your family and friends asking for more!

Cooking the wings in the instant pot

To cook the wings in the instant pot, start by preparing the wings. 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 the tips or use them 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.

Then, prepare your chosen seasoning or rub. You can use a store-bought option, or make your own. One recipe suggests a dry rub with eight spices: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. Another recipe suggests a rub with smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground fennel seed, and ground black pepper.

Once you have prepared your rub, sprinkle it over the wings and toss them until they are evenly coated. You can also add melted butter at this stage. Place the wings in a bowl and put them in the fridge to marinate for at least an hour, or overnight.

Now you are ready to start cooking the wings in the instant pot. Place a trivet or steamer basket in the bottom of the instant pot and add water. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your instant pot, but most recipes suggest adding between 1/2 a cup and 1 cup of water. Place the seasoned wings on the trivet or steamer basket, making sure they are not sitting directly in the water.

Close the lid of the instant pot and turn the pressure to the sealing function. Select the manual or pressure cook setting and set the pressure to high. Set the timer for 5 minutes. The instant pot will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure, and then the timer will start counting down.

Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 5 or 10 minutes. Then, turn the knob to the venting position to release any remaining steam. Open the lid and remove the wings from the instant pot.

Finishing the wings in the oven

The oven-finish gives the wings a nice crispiness and adds a charred texture to the outside. It also helps to reduce the moisture content of the wings, making them less soggy.

First, preheat your oven to a broil setting. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminium foil. You can also use a cooling rack. Then, take the wings out of the instant pot and place them in a large bowl. Pour your sauce of choice over the wings and toss them until they are evenly coated.

Next, arrange the wings on the wire rack and place them in the oven. Broil each side for 5-10 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved. You may want to rotate the wings halfway through.

Tips for finishing the wings in the oven:

• If you want to add extra flavour, you can add liquid smoke to the water in the instant pot.
• For a healthier option, trim any loose skin from the wings before cooking. This also allows you to better taste the sauce.
• If you are using frozen wings, you can cook them from frozen in the instant pot. However, it is recommended to still try and cut off some of the loose skin and toss the wings in dry seasoning before adding them to the pot.
• For a true Buffalo Wing flavour, use a combination of hot sauce and melted butter.
• For barbecue-flavoured wings, use your favourite BBQ sauce or make your own by combining BBQ sauce, a little hot sauce, and melted butter.
• If you like your wings extra saucy, double the amount of sauce used but only add about a cup while finishing the wings in the oven.
• You can also finish the wings in an air fryer if you don't want to use an oven.

Serving suggestions

These Instant Pot BBQ chicken wings are perfect for a big feast or a party. They can be served as an appetiser or a main course.

If you're hosting a BBQ, these wings are a great option as they can be cooked in your Instant Pot, helping you to avoid heating up your kitchen by turning the oven on.

These wings are best served with a side of blue cheese dip, ranch dip, carrot sticks, celery sticks, or red pepper slices.

If you're making a big feast, you could serve these wings alongside some Instant Pot Ribs and Slow Cooker Baked Beans. For a lighter option, serve with a potato salad, coleslaw, or lemonade.

Tips for Cutting Chicken Wings

If you buy chicken wings whole, you will need to trim them. A chicken wing consists of three parts: the wing tip, the wingette, and the drumette. First, locate the joint between the tip and the middle part of the wing and cut through to separate. Discard the tips or use them 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.

Frequently asked questions