Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings are easy, delicious, crowd friendly, and perfect for game day. These wings are so simple to make with an easy easy dry rub of pantry staple spices. Then brush with your favorite barbecue, broil, and enjoy! The wings are so moist, tender, and they practically fall off the bone.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken wings on a plate with celery and carrots

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Making chicken wings in the Instant Pot is very easy and perfect to make a big batch to serve a crowd.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Chicken Wings – separated into the flats and drums. You can buy them like this (my preferred choice) or do it yourself. Here’s a tutorial.
Spices – Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Onion Powder, Dried Oregano, Dried Thyme, and Cayenne Pepper (optional, the spice helps balance the sweetness of the barbecue sauce)
Barbecue Sauce - store-bought or homemade (like this Carolina Style or Honey BBQ)

raw chicken wings, spices, and barbecue sauce in glass prep bowls

Recipe Step by Step:

Prepare the Wings. If needed, split and trim your wings and then pat dry.
Toss Wings. Next, toss the wings with the spices.
Pressure Cook. Add water and the trivet to the Instant Pot. Place the wings on top of the trivet. The trivet keeps the wings from touching the water. The water is needed for the pot to come to pressure. Pressure Cook and then Naturally Release the pressure before Quick Releasing the remaining pressure.
Add Sauce and Broil. Toss the cooked wings with the barbecue sauce and broil so the wings get a little crispy and bubbly.
Enjoy! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

First time using your Instant Pot, start with the water test!

The ‘water test’ is a great way to learn how it works and what to expect during the pressure cooking process. Here is a great step by step.

The ‘test’ does not make your Instant Pot work better, but it will allow you to get comfortable before actual food and ingredients are involved.

Have other Instant Pot questions - check out this post with tips and other recipe ideas.

Barbecue chicken wings on a sheet pan after being broiled

What size Instant Pot should be used?

Pictured is an 8qt Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, but a 6qt size will work just fine.

How long do the leftovers last?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or in the oven or toaster oven.

Instant Pot BBQ Wings on a plate with celery and carrots

Can this recipe be doubled to make more chicken wings?

Yes! As long as your Instant Pot is large enough, you can make more wings. I have an 8qt and have been able to fit 4 pounds of wings in one batch.

The rule of thumb is to not fill the Instant Pot more than halfway when pressure cooking.

Instant Pot barbecue chicken wings with celery and carrots on a plate

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