These Instant Pot Chicken Wings made from fresh or frozen chicken are cooked in the pressure cooker until juicy and perfectly tender. These hot wings are seasoned with a simple spice rub and then smothered in irresistible savory Buffalo sauce.
These Instant Pot wings are great for game night and holiday parties. If you are looking for other amazingly delicious appetizers, take a look at my cheesy Pizza Dip and my mouthwatering delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Wings!
Instant Pot Chicken Wings
I love cooking in my Instant Pot. Pressure cookers not only cook in a fraction of the time without drying up your food, they also have the great advantage of allowing you to cook proteins, like these chicken wings from fresh or frozen. The convenience of cooking chicken from frozen (or any meat for that matter) is definitely a huge plus for me.
This easy Instant Pot chicken wing recipe is made with simple ingredients and produces amazing results. The wings are first coated in a simple spice mix and cooked to tender perfection. The flavorful and juicy wings are then tossed with hot and savory lip-smacking Buffalo sauce.
To finish them up, I place the buffalo wings under the broiler for a few minutes to get that caramelized look and taste we all love from traditional hot wings. You can make these wings as hot or mild as you want
Equipment Needed To Make Chicken Wings in Instant Pot
You will need the following:
- A Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- A trivet, or a trivet with handles or a steamer basket . Any of these work well, although the steamer basket is probably the best for the job. Instant pot wings become very tender and lifting them with the help of the steamer basket makes it easier.
- A baking sheet with a wire rack to broil the buffalo chicken wings!
Instant Pot Wings Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: Fresh, thawed or frozen chicken wings cut into drumettes and flats (also sold as party wings)
- Chicken Broth: Broth or water can be used.
- Seasoning Mix: Seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper.
- Hot Sauce: I prefer Frank’s hot sauce.
- Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter.
- Honey: You only need a couple of tablespoons. I like that it adds flavor without making the buffalo sauce sweet.
How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings
- Season the chicken wings with the spice mix.
- Pour 1 cup of water or broth into the bottom of the instant pot.
- Place the trivet or steamer basket inside the pressure cooker.
- Place the seasoned fresh or frozen chicken wings on the trivet or inside the steamer basket.
- Close the lid and turn the valve to sealed.
- Cook on high pressure and set the timer.
- After the cooking is done, do a natural release pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release the remaining pressure and remove the wings from the instant pot.
- Toss chicken wings with half of the sauce.
- Broil for a few minutes or until golden on one side, then flip the chicken wings and broil the other side.
- Brush or toss with the remaining sauce.
You have questions? We have answers!
How long do you cook Frozen Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot?
Cook frozen chicken wings in the Instant pot on high pressure for 15 minutes. When the cooking is done, allow the pot to naturally release the pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. Open the valve to release any remaining pressure.
How long to cook Fresh Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot?
Cook fresh chicken wings in the instant pot on high pressure for 10 minutes. When the cooking is done, release the pressure naturally for 5 to 10 minutes. Open the valve to release any remaining pressure.
Are Fresh Wings Better Than Frozen
Fresh chicken wings vs. frozen chicken wings. This is a question I’ve been asked several times. As long as the wings have been handled properly following food safety guidelines both are equally good. Cooking frozen chicken in the Instant pot produces the same great results as cooking fresh chicken. The only difference is that frozen chicken takes a few minutes longer to cook in the pressure cooker.
Can This Fresh or Frozen Chicken Wings Recipe Be Made In the Oven If I Don’t Have An Instant Pot?
You can use the spicy buffalo chicken wings sauce on wings cooked in the oven or in the slow cooker however, I don’t recommend cooking frozen chicken in the oven. Oven wings should be thawed out first.
How To Make Buffalo Sauce
I must admit, Buffalo sauce is my favorite chicken wing sauce. Although I have other favorites like these Honey BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings, I always go back to my first love Buffalo Wild Wing Sauce!!
This Buffalo Sauce recipe is simple and easy to make. It only has 3 ingredients:
- Hot Sauce, my favorite sauce for hot wings is Frank’s Red Hot
- Butter (if you follow a dairy-free diet you can omit it or use vegan butter substitute)
- Honey (omit if on a Keto diet)
To make this Buffalo Sauce recipe, melt the butter in a sauce pan, stir in the hot sauce and honey and simmer for a few minutes.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Wings
I love the classic combination of Buffalo chicken wings served with a side of Ranch dipping sauce, carrots and celery sticks.
Storing and Reheating Chicken Wings (Instant Pot – Cooked)
Cool the Instant Pot cooked chicken wings completely and then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
Tips for Crispy Instant Pot Chicken Wings
- This recipe calls for 3 or 4 pounds of chicken wings. If you are cooking only 3 pounds, you don’t have to use all of the spice mix if you think is too much.
- When seasoning frozen wings, the spice mix may not stick to the wings as well. It will still give them flavor.
- Broiling the wings is not required. The wings will be fully cooked out of the pressure cooker. The broiling is only to crisp up some of the skin.
- Feel free to use any spice mix or any sauce you want for your hot wings!
- Serve this amazing and super tasty Hot Wing recipe with your favorite Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce or Ranch!
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Instant Pot Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- 3 – 4 pounds bone-in chicken wings cut into drumettes and flats (party wings) fresh, thawed or frozen
For the Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup Hot Sauce (Frank’s Red Hot)
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Optional: If using fresh or thawed out wings, dry them up with paper towels. The seasoning mix will stick to the wings better if the wings aren’t as wet.
- Toss the wings with the seasoning mix.
- Pour the water or broth into the inner pot of your pressure cooker. Place the trivet at the bottom of the inner pot.
- Place the seasoned wings on the trivet (or steamed basket). Close and secure the lid. Place the vent knob on the sealed position.
- For fresh or thawed out wings. cook on high pressure and set the timer for 10 minutes.For frozen wings, cook on high pressure and set the timer for 15 minutes
While the Wings Cook Make the Buffalo Sauce
- In a small sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the hot sauce and honey. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Turn on the Broiler. Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a cooking rack on top.
- When the cooking has been completed, do a 5 minute Natural Pressure Release. Then release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and carefully remove the wings (they will be hot and tender). Place the wings in a large mixing bowl. Pour half the buffalo sauce over the chicken wings and toss gently.
- Place the chicken wings on the prepared baking sheet.
- Broil chicken wings for about 3 minutes or until golden and then flip and broil the other side.
- Brush the chicken wings with buffalo sauce and serve with any remaining sauce on the side.
Chef’s Tips
- You can use a trivet, a steamer basket or a pyrex bowl inside the Instant pot to hold the wings.
- This recipe calls for 3 or 4 pounds of chicken wings. If cooking less than 4 pounds, you most likely won’t need to use all of the spice mix.
Renee Toma says
I have made this several times. The sauce is so good and the wings are fairly easy.
Rccola says
I’ve made this a few times now and it never fails to wow us. However we like our wings extra crispy, so I bake them at 450 for about 10 minutes before I sauce them.
Kathy says
Excellent! Thank you!
Chriss says
This was the first time I made this recipe and I LOVE it, it’s so easy contrary than what I was told, easy piecy, Kathy your recipes are always soooo good thank you!!
Kathy says
Thank you so much Criss!
Elaine says
We are addicted to the fall-off-the-bone goodness and sweet spicy sauce! Great recipe!
Kathy says
Thanks Elaine!!