This is the best Chicken Wings recipe made with dry rub seasoning and delicious BBQ sauce! The best part is you can make it in your Instant Pot in just 30 minutes! It will be a great easy appetizer for Super Bowl party or a Summer cookout!
These Chicken Wings are my new favorite party recipe! First of all, it’s super easy to make. Second, I love the dry rub seasoning that makes these classic BBQ wings spicy and aromatic.
If you are having a party or a Summer cookout, this recipe will be perfect for it!
Thanks to the Pressure Cooker, the cooking time is so much quicker than when you bake it. All it takes is 6 minutes to cook on high pressure, then naturally release the pressure for about 10 minutes. I also like to broil the wings after mixing them with BBQ sauce to get the perfect crispiness.
Why this recipe works
This recipe is all about the flavor! Thanks to the herbs and spices, you will have a beautifully aromatic meal. Once you try this recipe, you won’t do it any other way!
There are so many reasons why this is the best recipe and why you should make it! Here are a few:
- You can make it in 30 minutes from start to finish!
- The meat is super flavorful thanks to the herbs and spices!
- The meat stays juicy and doesn’t dry out!
How to make Dry Rub
This is my favorite homemade seasoning mix, which I also use in for Chicken Wings with Dry Rub and Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs.
You really can play around with the flavors. If you like it spicy, add more cayenne pepper. For more aroma, add more oregano. Also, I like to use smoked paprika in this recipe for extra smoky touch.
Here are 8 spices I use for the dry rub:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Oregano
- Thyme
Just mix it all together and it’s ready for the next step (Photos 1-8)!
How to make it
Rinse and pat dry the wings, using paper towels.
When it’s done, add the seasoning to the meat and toss well, so the spices are evenly distributed (Photos 10-12).
Now we can use the Pressure Cooker. Add 1 cup of water and put the trivet in the pot (Photos 13-14).
Place the seasoned wings on top of the trivet, so the chicken doesn’t sit in the water. Close the top and set it to Manual High Pressure for 6 minutes. Then naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (Photos 15-16).
When done, take the meat out to a large mixing bowl, add BBQ sauce and mix well (Photos 17-20).
Transfer the BBQ chicken wings to a baking sheet with a wire rack. If you have some remaining BBQ sauce left in the mixing bowl, brush it over the wings with a baking brush.
Broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and has the char.
Don’t’ have Pressure Cooker? Bake them in the Oven!
If you don’t have a Pressure Cooker but still want to make this recipe, you can still bake it in the oven. It just will take more time than making them in Instant Pot.
The first two steps will be the same, prepare the seasoning, rinse and pat dry the wings, and mix it together.
Then place the meat on a baking sheet with a wire rack and bake at 400°F for about 45 minutes. Make sure it’s cooked through and there is no pink color in the center.
Transfer the meat to a mixing bowl and toss with BBQ sauce. Then transfer back to a baking sheet with a wire rack and broil for 5-7 minutes.
Tips for best results
- Use fresh or defrosted chicken wings and not frozen ones. The reason is, we need to mix meat with the spices, so they are evenly coated. If your meat if frozen, I would advise to defrost it before cooking.
- Make sure you use a trivet or a steamer basket. You don’t want the meat to sit in the liquid. Otherwise, it will be soggy and watery.
Options and Substitutions
- Seasoning. You can easily play around with the seasoning and add your favorite spices.
- Sauce. If you want to make Buffalo sauce instead, just use ⅓ cup Frank’s hot sauce, 3 tbsp melted butter, and 1 tbsp honey. Mix with the wings and it’s ready! No need to broil!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long to cook?
You only need 6 minutes to cook 2 pounds of wings. If you double the recipe, you can cook for 7-8 minutes.
How long to broil?
After the chicken is cooked, place it on a baking sheet with a wire rack and broil for about 5-7 minutes or until the skin is crispy and has beautiful char.
How can you tell if the chicken is undercooked?
Here are a few tips to make sure your chicken is fully cooked:
- Make sure that the internal temperature is higher than 165°F (I prefer to have at least 175°F).
- If you see that the meat on the bones have pinkish color, the chicken probably needs to be cooked longer.
- Make sure that the juices from the meat run out clear without any pink color.
Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!
Instant Pot Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, mix all the seasoning together (½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp paprika, ⅛ tsp cayenne, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp thyme).
- Rinse and pat dry 2 pounds of chicken wings. Add the seasoning and toss well until it evenly covered.
- In the Pressure Cooker, add 1 cup water and place the trivet in the pot.
- Put the seasoned meat on top of the trivet.
- Close the pot with the lid and set it to Manual High Pressure for 6 minutes.
- When done, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.
- Then, take the wings out to a large mixing bowl, add ½ cup BBQ sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the BBQ chicken wings to a baking sheet with a wire rack. If you have some remaining BBQ sauce left in the mixing bowl, brush it over the wings with a baking brush.
- Broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and has char.
Video
Notes
- Make sure that the internal temperature is higher than 165°F (I prefer to have at least 175°F).
- If you see that the meat on the bones have pinkish color, the chicken probably needs to be cooked longer.
- Make sure that the juices from the meat run out clear without any pink color.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2019, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and FAQs in Feb of 2020.
Turned out fabulous! I made half BBQ and half buffalo. They went quick and you’re right – I’ll never cook them any other way. YUM!!
Spot on! Perfect! Thank you!
My husband is SOOOO picky and he said these are the best wings he ever had!! I followed the recipe exactly and bought Primal Kitchen Buffalo sauce in Costco. Hubby wants to know when I can make them again!
Thank you so much, Robin! I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed this recipe 😉
Huge hit with my son and me and my husband gonna make it agian super easy
Thank you, Sarah!
Can you use the instapot air fryer lid instead of the oven broiler.
I have been searching for such a recipe. Sometime ago I made some wings much like this; didn’t keep it and am so happy to see this. Only made a few then and shared with a friend. She will be thrilled to know we’re back in business. They are the BEST wings I’ve ever had AND i LOVE WINGS! The instant is a real time saver for me. Thanks and I won’t lose this one. I’ve never written a response to anything, but had to do one here.
Thank you so much, Lela! I’m so happy you like the recipe 😉
If I cook 4 lb do I have to use more than one cup of water
Hi Donna, you can use the same amount of water for 4 lb of meat.
Is that a side of ranch in the pic?
Hi Julie! Yes, it’s ranch.
This is such a great recipe. I just made this and my husband and my kiddos loved it. Disappeared in minutes.
I will definitely be making it again.
Thank you so much, Sam! So happy your whole family love these wings!
Would love to try the recipe but my oven doesn’t work at the moment. Can the broiling be skipped?
Hi Marie! We broil the chicken in the end to get a crispy caramelized finish. You can skip this step if you want and just mix the wings with BBQ sauce, but they wont be crispy.
If one canno broil, stick on BBQ for a few minutes.
This recipe sounds great. I can’t wait to try it because hubby and I both LOVE spicy wings. My only question is: I just got the Air Fryer Lid for my Instant Pot – do you think it would be okay just to switch the lids instead of using the oven? Should I use the Air Fry or Broil setting on the Air Fryer Lid?
Hi Ramona! I never tried the air fryer lid before, so I’m not sure how it works. I put the wings under the broiler after they are cooked to get the crisp and caramelize BBQ sauce. Let me know if you try air fryer, I’d like to know how it came out!
How did the air fryer work out? I bought a dehydrator rack to be able to air fry many wings at one time, since they have to be kept apart, and I’d Iove to hear your results.
Great recipe, thanks! I replaced the water with a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, a 1/2 cup of pineapple sage hard cider and a teaspoon of liquid smoke.
That’s a great idea! I need to try it as well. I bet you got a great flavor!
I don’t have a wire rack. What else can I use instead?
Hi Babs! you also can use a steamer. Just make sure the wings don’t sit in the liquid, otherwise they will be soggy.
The recipe looks amazing – but I have read a number of sources who strongly advise against rinsing chicken as it spreads bacteria everywhere. Your thoughts?
You just need to sanitize your sink and a working surface after working with chicken, and everything will be good!
I just got a instant pot, and I bought a trivet. I was wondering, this recipe calls for 2 pounds of wings. Can you layer the wings on top of each other? Or just a single layer on trivet.
Hi Andrew! You can put the chicken on top of each other in Instant Pot. And then, when you broil it with BBQ sauce, put in a single payer. Hope that helps!
This recipe was so easy to follow. I made them today and they just turned out AWESOME! This was the first time I made chicken wings by the way! Your pictures were the ones that drew me here & I’m hooked!
Thank you, Harini! I’m so happy you like it!
How long if wings are cooked from a frozen state?
Hi Lana, I never tried to cook frozen chicken wings in Instant Pot. Most sources says to cook it for about 12-15 minutes. However, I would use defrosted chicken wings for this recipe, as you need to toss them with seasoning first before cooking.
I just made these and we liked them a lot ! The only thing I changed was I added 1 cup of water instead of 1/2 cup because most recipes say add at least 1 cup water. The wings turned out very tasty!
Yaay! Thank you for sharing, Irene! I’m always happy to hear your reviews!)
Chicken wings in instant pot? That’s so clever. It looks absolutely delicious. I have to give this recipe a try.
I’m obsessed with instant pot off late and this chicken wings is the next thing I will be making. Looks finger-licking good. Who can resist chicken wings especially when it looks sooooo goooood!
I love instant pot recipes, and this chicken wings recipe is just perfect. Loving all these herbs and spices gone into this recipe. So flavourful and right!
I love my Instant Pot for so many things, but I’ve never thought about doing wings in them. What a perfect way to free up some extra time in the oven for super bowl parties and just pop them in for a few minutes when it’s time to serve!
We love every kind of wing! We made some for the Chiefs game last weekend … and they were delicious! I love the flavors you used here; can’t wait to try them for another game day!
Mine were great but not crispy…:(
The best wings I’ve ever had!!
First time cooking in an insta pot. Love it, thank you!!
“Spectacular Love! You knocked it out of the ballpark! Restaurant Quality”!!!!! That is what my husband exclaimed after each of his three servings! (By nature, he is a modest eater and on very rare occasions will go back for seconds).
I made a batch of 36 and we had 9 wings left over. I made these wings just as described in this recipe – I did not modify in any way nor deviate from the instructions. The wings are unbelievably favorable, very moist, nice and crispy once taken from the broiler! So easy to make and very quick as well! I will definitely make these for years to come!
Thank you for sharing!
Followed this methid and they came out sooooo good. I did use extra spice only because I love it spicy spicy.
Will.cook this again!
I just made a batch in the oven last weekend and when I was done, I turned to Pinterest to see if I could make them in my Instant Pot. Next weekend for the Superbowl, I’m going to try them this way. I’m so excited I found this recipe!
Ahhh I don’t have an instant pot but these look insanely delicious!
Wow, these look amazing! I bet they are so tender on the inside and good and crispy on the outside! Perfect recipe x
These wings look so perfectly cooked! Wings in the oven usually take forever to get crispy. This is must-try!
I actually have all the ingredients in my pantry so I would just need to get some wings! This looks like a recipe I should cook more often! Love when I can just work with what I already have without having to write a long shopping list!
I love trying new recipes in the instant pot and I really love chicken wings! You make it look so easy!
I’ve gotten really into using my Instant Pot lately and these look like a great recipe to add to my list to things to try! They would be perfect for a game day party!!
We love chicken wings. These look delicious. I know they would be a hit around here. So much better than takeout wings.
These look absolutely delicious! Perfect for game day or parties. I’m sure they would disappear in minutes 🙂