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!
Check Out These Favorite Recipes From Lemon Blossoms
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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
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.
Becki says
First time EVER making wings. This recipe is perfect. The meat fell off the bones and the sauce was awesome with the added butter and honey. Thank you!
Kathy says
Thank you! Happy to hear you liked them.
Addie Bambridge says
Can I make these in my Ninja Foodi?
Kathy says
I am not familiar with a Ninja Foodi but you can make it in any pressure cooker. I actually have an IP and a gourmia brand. Instant Pot is just a brand like crock pot!
Elizabeth says
So easy and oh so good every single time!
Susan says
My husband gave this recipe a 4.98.????.I used the I.P.for 15 minutes as recommended. He liked that the meat fell off the bone.
Will save the sauce for another batch.
Kathy says
Thank you!!
Anita V. says
My husband has had a hankering for wings and this recipe did it. It was very easy and quick to make. I don’t cook with season salt, so I substituted Bold Taco Seasoning and Greek Seasoning (Penzey’s). He loved them!! Thank you!
Kathy says
So happy you liked it!! Thank you
Melissa Barber says
These wings are easy to make from frozen wings and taste amazing! We didn’t use the rack in the oven because of the cleanup and they still came out great.
Kathy says
Thank you!!
Kazlin T says
Would I have to use drumettes and flats?
Kathy says
You should separate them yes
Lisa says
Huge hit at our house!! Super easy to make. The only thing I did different was I used bbq sauce instead of the hot sauce (we aren’t heat fans..lol). But this recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank You!! 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks Lisa. So happy you enjoyed them.
Suzy says
I think you mean fresh instead of frozen:
HOW TO COOK FRESH CHICKEN WINGS
For frozen or thawed out chicken wings, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes followed by a 5 minutes Natural Pressure Release.
Kathy says
Thank you! Fixed
chloe says
Just made these from frozen drumsticks. So delicious and easy! I skipped making the buffalo sauce and added hot sauce and honey to bbq sauce instead. I’ll have to stock up on Frank’s and try the original recipe later. 🙂
jacque says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Karly says
Amazing! Love how easy these are!
Kathy says
Thank you! I know super easy!
Julian says
These wings look amazing! I love that you can cook them from frozen. Thanks for all the tips.
Kathy says
Thank you