Learn how to make the best Instant Pot Frozen Chicken wings with honey and garlic!! They are great for game night, to bring along to parties, or simply enjoy at home with your loved ones!
Craving more pressure cooker recipes? Then try our Instant Pot basmati rice, Instant Pot peanut butter cheesecake, and Ninja pressure cooker tomato sauce, next!
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Just like many others, I spent a long time unaware that I could cook frozen chicken or meat in my pressure cooker. But once I discovered this technique, there was no looking back! Just as with my Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs, I'm confident you'll adore this recipe as much as I do!
Jump to:
- reasons to love this instant pot frozen chicken wings recipe
- ingredient summary
- how to make Instant Pot frozen chicken wings
- refregeration and freezing
- variations - low carb and keto options
- frequently asked questions
- tips to nailing this instant pot frozen chicken wings recipe
- check out these other tasty recipes
- 📖 Recipe
reasons to love this instant pot frozen chicken wings recipe
- you get crispy, juicy, and delicious chicken wings.
- no thawing needed and only requires a few minutes to cook.
- the recipe is paleo compliant and can be made keto-friendly.
- perfect for a quick dinner, game night, parties, to serve as appetizers, and so much more!
ingredient summary
This is a summary of the ingredients you will need to make this Instant Pot frozen chicken wings recipe and possible options for substitution, if any. For measurements and the full step-by-step instructions, see the recipe card provided at the bottom of this page.
- Bone-in whole frozen chicken wings - I used whole chicken wings, but simply use what you have!
- Water or chicken stock - if using broth, then choose a low-sodium variety.
- Honey.
- Coconut sugar - this can easily be substituted for brown sugar.
- Minced garlic and ginger.
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos - I used coconut aminos to make this recipe paleo-compliant but soy sauce is totally okay to use.
- Chopped scallions or sesame seeds (optional, to be used as garnish).
- Tapioca, all-purpose, or arrowroot flour or, your favorite sauce thickener and a few tablespoons water - If you like, you can thicken the sauce by making a slurry by whisking together the flour (or your favourite sauce thickener) and water.
how to make Instant Pot frozen chicken wings
This is a summarized step-by-step breakdown of how to make Instant Pot frozen chicken wings. You will find the detailed instructions provided in the recipe card below.
Making these chicken wings basically involves a few simple steps namely, pressure cooking, making the sauce, and broiling.
- Pressure Cook: Add water/stock to Instant Pot, place frozen wings on trivet, and pressure cook on HIGH for 11 minutes. Allow a 5-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
- Oven Preparation: While wings are cooking, preheat oven to broil and set up a lined baking tray with a wire rack.
- Honey-Garlic Sauce: Using the Saute function, combine honey, coconut/brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and coconut aminos/soy sauce in the Instant Pot and whisk until thickened.
- Thicken Sauce (if needed): For a denser sauce, add a slurry of tapioca flour and water, whisking to avoid lumps. This step is however, totally optional so feel free to skip it, if you prefer.
- Broil Wings: Toss wings in the sauce, place on the prepared tray, and broil 3-5 minutes per side. Broiling is another optional step but I highly recommend that you do not skip it, as it helps crispen up the skin.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, or as preferred.
refregeration and freezing
These Instant Pot honey and garlic chicken wings can be stored in the fridge or freezer. Before storing, always ensure the chicken wings have cooled to room temperature.
- Refrigeration: place the wings in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags to prevent them from absorbing other odors from the fridge.
- Freezing: for optimal freshness, wrap the wings individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped wings in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing then label the bag with the date for reference. Frozen cooked chicken wings can last up to 3 or 4 months in the freezer.
variations - low carb and keto options
Make Keto Instant Pot chicken wings from frozen by substituting the honey and brown sugar in the recipe for suitable low-carb sugar-free honey and brown sugar alternatives. Finally, use xanthan gum instead of tapioca flour, should you wish to thicken the sauce.
frequently asked questions
Cook frozen chicken wings in the Instant Pot for 11-12 minutes, at high pressure, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release.
For fresh or thawed chicken wings, pressure cook for 8 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
Both "quick pressure release" and "natural pressure release" are terms associated with using electric pressure cookers, such as the Instant Pot. They refer to methods of releasing the built-up steam inside the cooker after the cooking process is complete. Here's what each term means:
Quick Pressure Release (QPR):
As soon as the cooking cycle finishes, you release the pressure manually.
This is done by turning the steam release handle to the "venting" position, which allows the steam to escape quickly.
It's essential to be cautious when using this method to avoid steam burns.
QPR is typically used for foods that might become overcooked or too soft if they continue sitting in the pot, such as vegetables or seafood.
Natural Pressure Release (NPR):
After the cooking cycle finishes, the pressure is allowed to drop naturally without any intervention.
You don't open the valve or do anything; you simply wait.
As the pressure cooker cools down, the pressure inside drops slowly.
This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity and type of food inside.
NPR is often used for foods that benefit from a little additional cooking time as they sit in the residual heat, such as meats, stews, and some grains.
tips to nailing this instant pot frozen chicken wings recipe
- Double up the batch - feel free to double up the batch if cooking this for a crowd. The cooking time, in this case, will remain the same. Just bear in mind that because the frozen chicken meat considerably lowers the temperature in the pot, the Instant Pot will take longer to pressure up.
- Single pieces - it is recommended to have your chicken frozen in single pieces as opposed to one big lump of ice. I, however, experimented with cooking them frozen in one lump, and they still turned out great.
- Sauces - feel free to use your favorite sauces instead. Parmesan cheese and buffalo are other favorites of ours.
- To prevent the chicken wings from touching the water or stock and overcooking, I recommend using a trivet or steamer basket.
- Do not skip the broiling, it is what helps keep the skin crisp. If your Instant Pot has an airfryer lid then use this instead.
check out these other tasty recipes
Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this Instant pot frozen chicken wings recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lbs frozen bone-in whole chicken wings (about 450 grams)
- 1 cup water or low sodium chicken stock
- 3-6 cloves minced garlic use less or more if you prefer
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ⅛ cup soy sauce or coconut aminos (coconut aminos makes this recipe paleo-compliant, but soy sauce is totally okay to use)
Slurry - optional
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, arrowroot or tapioca flour (optional - for thickening the sauce)
- 4 teaspoon water (optional - for thickening the sauce)
Instructions
Pressure cook the Frozen Chicken Wings
- Place the inner pot in the Instant Pot and add water or low-sodium chicken stock. Set the trivet inside and arrange the frozen wings on it, trying to spread them flat.1 cup water, 1 lbs frozen bone-in whole chicken wings
- Seal the lid and pressure cook on HIGH for 11 minutes. (Note: The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure and will start counting the time once it is pressurized.
- After cooking, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) for 5 minutes, then perform a quick pressure release (QPR).
Prepare for Broiling
- As the chicken wings cook, preheat the oven to broil.
- Line a baking tray with parchment or foil, placing a grilling or wire rack on top.
Make the Honey and Garlic Sauce
- Set the Instant Pot or your electric pressure cooker to the saute function for 5 minutes.
- Add honey, brown sugar (or coconut sugar), garlic, ginger, and soy sauce (or coconut aminos). Whisk until thickened (about 2 minutes).
- If the sauce is too thin, create a slurry by combining all-purpose flour (or arrowroot, or tapioca flour) and water. Add to the sauce, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Should the sauce thicken before 5 minutes, cancel the sauté function.
Broil the Chicken Wings then Serve
- Toss the wings in the sauce and arrange on the prepared tray.
- Broil the chicken wings for 3-5 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved. Flip and broil the other side for another 3-5 minutes or until crispy, as preferred. Reserve any remaining sauce for dipping.
- Garnish the chicken wings and serve.
Notes
- Double up the batch - feel free to double up the batch if cooking this for a crowd. The cooking time, in this case, will remain the same. Just bear in mind that because the frozen chicken meat considerably lowers the temperature in the pot, the Instant Pot will take longer to pressure up.
- Single pieces - it is recommended to have your chicken wings frozen in single pieces as opposed to one big lump of ice. I, however, experimented with cooking them frozen in one lump, and they still turned out great.
- Sauces - use your favorite sauces instead; Parmesan cheese and buffalo are other delicious combos to try!
- Broiling - increase the broiling time, for more crispy wings! Do not skip the broiling, it is what helps keep the skin crisp. If your Instant Pot has an air fryer lid then use this instead.
- To prevent the chicken wings from touching the water or stock and overcooking, I recommend using a trivet or steamer basket.
- Storing leftovers. Kept in a suitable airtight container, these Instant Pot chicken wings will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. They can be kept in the freezer for 4-5 months.
- I used frozen whole chicken wings but simply use what you have!
- The cooking time excludes the time you need to make the sauce.
Jazz
This was such a helpful recipe to cook frozen wings because I always forget to thaw. Thank you!
Kate Hahnel
thank you. It certainly helps save a lot of time!
Tamara
Oh my goodness these wings were absolutely delicious! I was looking for a recipe to switch up from our normal fried chicken. My kids and husband were a huge fan!
Chenée Lewis
I always forget to plan ahead so I loved that this recipe could be made with frozen wings! They came out perfect!!
Taneisha
I loved this recipe. I never did chicken wings in the instant pot so I knew I wanted to test it out and it was so delicious! Love it! Thank you!
Capri
This recipe saved me so much time in the kitchen! And the wings were so flavorful! Great recipe!
Eric & Shanna Jones
We are always down for a great wing recipe! We enjoyed these on game day, and everyone loved them!
Kim
I can't believe how quick this cooks in an instant pot! More instant pot recipes please and thanks for this one.
Kaluhi
A true showstopper!! Everyone at home loved this!!
Kate Hahnel
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed making this!
Crystal DaCruz
I’m always looking for new things to make in my instant pot and I was so excited to make this dish! Your recipe was so easy to follow and the wings came out amazing!
Britney
These wings were finger licking good! Super easy to make, flavorful, and very tender! We loved this recipe 😍
Robin
I am obsessed with this recipe because I don't have to thaw the chicken on advanced - plus the sauce is so flavorful.
Renia
Although I do not have an instant pot I made this recipe by baking my wings. They were delish all the same!
Kate Hahnel
I am so glad you found a way to making this recipe, without an Instant Pot.
BENJAMIN
Great recipe! I served this at dinner party and the dish was cleared in minutes!