I must confess… I love my kitchen gadgets, especially my pressure cooker. Low and slow flavor without the time. Instant Pot Honey Ginger Drumsticks is something I threw together a few years ago and has been on a regular rotation ever since. It’s as simple as mixing up the sauce and adding it to the pot with the drumsticks. Chicken that is fall off the bone tender and full of flavor.
I’m always looking to incorporate fresh ginger into a recipe and this one fits the bill. Serve with jasmine rice or noodles and steamed vegetables. Top it off with garnishes such as sliced green onions and a sprinkle of Korean chili flakes. Simple ingredients, set it and forget it, and affordable? This beats take out any day!
Want to make this in the slow cooker?
Don’t have an Instant Pot? No worries! This recipe translates beautifully to the slow cooker as well. Simply prepare the chicken and sauce as instructed, then transfer everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours, until the drumsticks are fork-tender and glazed to perfection. The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld even deeper, creating a fall-apart tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken experience.
NOTE: If you are using the Instant Pot as the slow cooker, I do recommend cooking this recipe on HIGH, the temperature seems to work a little different and always turns out best cooking it on the highest setting. You will also need the appropriate glass lid if you have never used this setting before.
What You’ll Need:
Pressure Cooker- You will need a 6 quart electric pressure cooker. I love my Instant Pot. The one I use allows me to pressure cook and slow cook. You can also prepare this in your slow cooker if you do not have an instant pot. I love the versatility. pressure cooking OR slow cooking!
Chicken Drumsticks- I don’t see too many good recipes using drumsticks. It could just be me, but I’ve always had a hard time finding a way to turn this budget friendly protein into something special.
This versatile recipe isn’t just for chicken legs! Feel free to experiment with other cuts like thighs, wings, or even bone-in chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the pieces.
Coconut Aminos or Soy Sauce- Coconut aminos is a substitute for soy sauce made from fermented coconut palm sap. It is also lower in sodium and has a much better flavor. In a pinch, you could substitute it for soy sauce in equal parts. You can also use soy sauce as an equal swap.
Honey & Brown Sugar- I like to add sweetener to balance out the saltiness of the coconut aminos. See how I make my homemade brown sugar here.
Fresh Ginger Root
Rice Wine Vinegar, Onion Powder, & Garlic
Korean Chili Flakes- Unlike the more traditional chili flakes that are extremely spicy, Korean chili flakes are not very hot, but they do add nice peppery flavor. I use them in SO many recipes and they also make a colorful garnish. I get mine in bulk on Amazon and store them in a large air-tight glass jar.
Green Onions
When easy dinners are a must…
Forget standing over the stove or grilling, your trusty Instant Pot does the heavy lifting (or rather, pressure cooking) while you kick back and let it do all the work for you.
So, ditch the takeout menus and fire up your Instant Pot (or slow cooker)! These Honey Ginger Drumsticks are a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful way to put a restaurant quality meal on the table, leaving you with just as much time to enjoy every bite.
Looking for more INSTANT POT or SLOW COOKER Recipes? Check these out!
The BEST Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Easy White Chicken Chili: 3 Ways
Instant Pot Cuban-Style Pork Tacos
Instant Pot Meyer Lemon Risotto
Instant Pot Shredded Beef Chili
Mississippi Pot Roast Chili: 2 Ways
If you try the Instant Pot Honey Ginger Drumsticks or any of my other recipes, comment & rate below.
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Instant Pot Honey Ginger Drumsticks
Equipment
- 1 6 quart pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks, or bone-in chicken thighs.
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos, or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, SEE NOTES BELOW
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon korean chili flakes, (optional) garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the water, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, onion powder. Whisk in the honey and brown sugar. Set aside.
- Place the drumsticks OR bone-in thighs into the pot of your pressure cooker OR slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top.
- Make sure the silicone ring is inserted into your lid and seal your cooker. Set to pressure cook for 10 minutes on high and let slow release for 10-15 more minutes. Release any remaining pressure before opening the lid. For the SLOW COOKER: Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6- 8 hours. If you are using the Instant Pot as the slow cooker, I do recommend cooking this recipe on HIGH, the temperature seems to work a little different and always turns out best cooking it on the highest setting. You will also need the appropriate glass lid if you have never used this setting before.
- Serve the chicken over rice or noodles and your favorite veggie side dish. Garnish with sliced onion and a sprinkle of the Korean chili flakes. Enjoy!
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