FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Chicken Legs
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Chicken Legs In The Instant Pot
• Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Instant Pot Chicken Legs
• More Chicken Leg Recipes
• My Favorite Tools For This Recipe
• Instant Pot Chicken Legs Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

These Instant Pot chicken legs are the perfect chicken recipe for your (and my) busy weeknights! I usually make oven baked chicken legs , but I love experimenting with different methods. This one is convenient, fuss-free, and fast (just like my other easy Instant Pot recipes ). The pressure cooker helps the chicken legs stay juicy and tender, while the blend of spices adds a burst of flavor… and best of all, I figured out how to get that crispy skin we all crave.

Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Chicken Legs

• Juicy and flavorful – Nothing like a juicy chicken leg! This Instant Pot method creates the best seasoned drumsticks without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crispy skin – The biggest challenge I had with cooking chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot is the skin — how to ensure that it’s crispy and not soggy? I tested a few different ways, including the Instant Pot’s saute function (before or after cooking), the oven, and the stovetop. It turns out that all of them work with pros and cons, so I’ll tell you about them and you can decide.
• Less than 10 ingredients – You just need chicken, broth, oil, and spices!
• Effortless cooking – This dish needs a 5-minute prep time and less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s just as juicy as my Crock Pot chicken legs , but cooks much faster.
• Kid-approved – Even the pickiest eaters will love these Instant Pot chicken legs! My kids gave them a thumbs up.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for Instant pot chicken drumsticks, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Chicken Legs – I used fresh chicken drumsticks for this recipe, but you can cook frozen chicken legs in the Instant Pot, too. It will take longer — see tips below! I’ve also used a similar method for Instant Pot chicken thighs here .
• Herbs & Spices – A combination of paprika , garlic powder , onion powder , dried oregano , sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to use your favorite spice mixture. Try my poultry seasoning for a classic flavor, Italian seasoning for an herby taste, or lemon pepper seasoning for zesty flair.
• Chicken Broth – This is the liquid necessary for the pressure cooker, and makes the chicken so juicy! I often use store-bought for convenience most of the time, but have used homemade chicken broth when I had some left over. You could also use water as the liquid in your Instant Pot, but the chicken won’t be as flavorful.
• Olive Oil – To get crispy skin in the last step! You can also use avocado oil.

How To Cook Chicken Legs In The Instant Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season. In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper. Pat the chicken dry and season with the spice mixture.
2. Assemble. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot . Place the chicken on the trivet and place in the bottom of the pot.

1. Pressure cook. Cover with the lid and move the knob to Sealing. Pressure cook on high pressure, then do a natural pressure release for about 5 minutes. Do a manual release after that.
2. Crisp up. For a crispy, golden brown skin, crisp the chicken using your preferred method below. There are 3 options!

3 Ways To Crisp Up Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks:

• Saute in the Instant Pot – Pour out the broth, wipe down the pot, and add a little oil. Saute the chicken legs on all sides. This method requires no extra dishes to wash, but can occasionally stick. (This works well only at the end. I tested sauteing before pressure cooking, but this didn’t work well.)
• Nonstick skillet – This is my favorite method. Simply heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and saute on all sides. This creates good browning and crispy skin without the sticking, but there’s an extra pan to wash.
• Broil – Transfer the chicken legs to a baking sheet. Place under the broiler for a few minutes, then brush with oil and continue broiling until crispy. (Don’t brush with oil right away, or the seasonings will come off.) This is the most hands-off method, but you’ll have less browning.

Recipe Tips

This recipe is pretty simple, but here are a few of my tips to make sure your Instant Pot drumsticks come out perfect every time:

• Use a trivet. Although you could place the drumsticks in the chicken broth directly, placing them on a trivet prevents them from getting soggy and ensures even cooking.
• Increase the cooking time to 12 minutes if your chicken is frozen. It may take a bit longer for the pot to come to pressure, too.
• Don’t skip the natural release. For the juiciest chicken, be sure to allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for at least 5 minutes before doing a manual release.
• Use adequate oil for crispy skin. If you’re sauteing in the Instant Pot or even a nonstick pan, using plenty of oil (2 tablespoons was perfect) ensures that the skin doesn’t stick and fall apart. For the broiling method, the oil is still needed to get crispy results, but remember not to add it right away, or you’ll brush off the seasonings.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Seal leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The skin does get soft when you store them, but you can crisp it up again when reheating.
• Reheat: Warm them in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes. If needed, you can broil or pan fry again to crisp the skin.
• Freeze: Once cooled, place Instant Pot chicken legs in a freezer bags or containers, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat.

What To Serve With Instant Pot Chicken Legs

Need some healthy side dishes to go with your meal? Here are my go-to easy options:

• Veggies – You know I can’t have a meal without vegetables! Before you start your chicken, toss some broccoli and cauliflower in the oven , make some flavorful balsamic brussels sprouts , or go for a cheesy cauliflower casserole .
• Rice – I prefer fresh riced cauliflower or quicker frozen cauliflower rice , but white or brown rice make simple sides.
• Potatoes – For an all-around quick meal, I like to make air fryer potatoes (my go-to for my kids on busy nights), but since your oven is free, you could bake a sweet potato or make classic roasted potatoes .
• Sauce – This chicken is flavorful all on its own, but if you love BBQ sauce, you can slather it on after crisping up the skin, or use it before broiling. I’ve also dipped these chicken legs in ranch , honey mustard, and spicy buffalo sauce (not at the same time, ha!) for a little something extra.

More Chicken Leg Recipes

If you liked this Instant Pot chicken drumsticks recipe, take a look at my other ways to make them:

Air Fried Chicken Legs

Chicken Leg Quarters

Grilled Chicken Legs

BBQ Chicken Legs

My Favorite Tools For This Recipe

• Instant Pot – I love the programmability of the Instant Pot. This recipe is based on this size.
• Nonstick Pan – For crisping the skin at the end. This one is sturdy and makes cooking and cleanup a breeze.
• Meat Thermometer – Chicken safety is crucial, so no matter how I cook it, I use this to check for doneness. I recommend 170 degrees F for chicken legs, as at this temperature they get extra juicy.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 6 medium Chicken legs (~4 oz each) ▢
• 1 tsp Paprika ▢
• ½ tsp Garlic powder ▢
• ½ tsp Onion powder ▢
• ½ tsp Dried oregano ▢
• ½ tsp Sea salt ▢
• ½ tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season on all sides with the spice mixture.
3. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot . Place the chicken on the trivet and place inside the Instant Pot.
4. Cover with the lid and move the knob to Sealing. Pressure cook on High pressure for 8 minutes . Let natural release for 5 minutes , then manual release the rest of the pressure.
5. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. Pour out the chicken broth and wipe the pot dry. Use the Sauté function to heat the olive oil, until shimmering. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken drumsticks in a single layer and sauté for 2 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy. Alternatively, you can crisp up the skin on the stove in a nonstick pan (which is less prone to sticking than the Instant Pot), or broil in the oven on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes (which is the most hands-off, but the chicken doesn’t brown as much this way).

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken leg

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Instant Pot Chicken Legs

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Instant Pot Chicken Legs

These Instant Pot chicken legs are juicy and tender, with flavorful spices and a trick for crispy skin. A fuss-free, quick and easy dinner!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/instant-pot-chicken-legs/

Ingredients

• 6 medium Chicken legs (~4 oz each)
• 1 tsp Paprika
• ½ tsp Garlic powder
• ½ tsp Onion powder
• ½ tsp Dried oregano
• ½ tsp Sea salt
• ½ tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season on all sides with the spice mixture.
3. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot . Place the chicken on the trivet and place inside the Instant Pot.
4. Cover with the lid and move the knob to Sealing. Pressure cook on High pressure for 8 minutes . Let natural release for 5 minutes , then manual release the rest of the pressure.
5. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. Pour out the chicken broth and wipe the pot dry. Use the Sauté function to heat the olive oil, until shimmering. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken drumsticks in a single layer and sauté for 2 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy. Alternatively, you can crisp up the skin on the stove in a nonstick pan (which is less prone to sticking than the Instant Pot), or broil in the oven on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes (which is the most hands-off, but the chicken doesn’t brown as much this way).

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken leg

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)