This Instant Pot chicken wings recipe is mild, low carb and FULL of incredible flavor thanks to the piri piri sauce! The wings are cooked in the pressure cooker then finished under the broiler to create a crispy wing that falls right off the bone. This easy chicken wings recipe is naturally gluten free, grain free, added sugar free, and dairy free. It follows the SCD, paleo, and whole30 diets.
With football season officially upon us, I thought a healthy chicken wings recipe was a must! While I'm not a big football fan, my husband is and these wings are perfect for snacking on!
The chicken is first marinated in a light and flavorful piri piri style sauce before being cooked in the Instant Pot
.
Let me tell you, the meat comes out SO tender and moist! The wings are then finished off under the broiler to crisp up the skin...incredibly simple and good!
First things first though, a lot of you might be wondering...
What is piri piri sauce?
Piri piri sauce is a marinade that originated in Africa and Portugal.
The sauce is a bit sweet, a bit salty, a bit spicy, and a lot flavorful! It's typically used to marinate meat, specifically chicken.
I've always LOVED this sauce but since my system can no longer handle spicy, and I'm also feeding this to two toddlers, I've cut the spice down by quite a bit.
The end result is a great mild sauce that has tons of flavor without a lot of the heat!
What type of chicken wings should i use?
I like to use wingettes and drumettes (chicken wings that are cut apart at the joint) for this recipe simply because I find them easier to handle. However, full chicken wings can also be used.
Can I skip marinating the wings?
Marinating the piri piri chicken wings is really important, it helps infuse the chicken with the delicious flavors of the sauce.
I've made these wings before without letting them marinate first and the end result wasn't nearly as good!
What if I don't have an Instant Pot?
No pressure cooker? No problem! Follow the directions for making the piri piri sauce and marinating the wings.
Place the chicken in a single layer on a wire rack over a parchment paper lined baking sheet, set the sauce to the side.
Bake at 400F on the center rack of the oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165F when inserted into the fattest part of the chicken.
While the chicken is cooking, transfer the remaining sauce to a small saucepan over medium-high heat and reduce by half.
Once the chicken come out of the oven, brush the sauce over each wing and enjoy!
Directions
This simple marinade recipe is a combo of lemon juice, olive oil, white vinegar, fresh ginger, herbs, and spices.
Whisk the ingredients together in a large bowl then add the chicken wings and use your hands to ensure all of the chicken is coated in the sauce.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for four hours.
Transfer the chicken and sauce to the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for ten minutes before using the quick release method.
Finally, the wings are placed on a parchment lined baking sheet and cooked under the broiler for about five minutes on each side, just to crisp up the skin a bit.
While the chicken is in the oven, set the Instant Pot to saute and allow the sauce to reduce by about half.
Brush some of the reduced sauce on the chicken wings after they come out of the oven and serve hot!
More snacks and appetizers you'll enjoy!
- Broccoli Dip (Broccomole)
- Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Rosemary Infused Cranberry Brie Tartlets
- Almond Flour Crackers
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Instant Pot Piri Piri Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice about 4 lemons
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder add more if you'd like the sauce spicy
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper add more if you like the sauce spicy
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 lbs chicken wingettes and drumettes
- ½ small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions
- Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, ginger, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, chili powder, and salt in the bowl of the Instant Pot.
- Add the minced garlic, onion, and chicken to the bowl. Mix until the chicken is covered in the piri piri sauce. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.
- Place the Instant Pot bowl inside the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and make sure the vent is closed.
- Press the button for pressure cook and set the time for 12 minutes. Use the quick release method of releasing the pressure.
- Set the oven to broil. Transfer the chicken to a parchment lined baking sheet. Broil the chicken until the skin is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes per side.
- While the chicken is in the oven set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and reduce the sauce by about half.
- Once the chicken is out of the oven brush all sides with the reduced sauce and enjoy!
Oven Directions
- In a large bowl whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, ginger, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, chili powder, and salt.
- Add the minced garlic, onion, and chicken to the bowl. Mix until the chicken is covered in the piri piri sauce. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer, without touching, on the rack. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the fattest part of the chicken reads 165F.
- While the chicken is baking, transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half.
- Brush the cooked chicken with the reduced sauce and serve hot.
Notes
- If you'd like more heat to your sauce, increase the cayenne and chili powder to your taste.
- Keep an eye on the wings when under the broiler, they tend to brown quickly.
Nutrition
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Jennifer Norman
My SCD required teen son loved this and my health conscience hubby loved it too! Thank you! I'm vegan so I was SO nervous, but my two oldest guys loved it, thank you!
Jennifer
Glad to hear it was a hit!!
Louise
I love using my Instant Pot and cant' wait to try this recipe! The sauce sounds so good and those wings look amazing!
Clayton Kero
Made the recipe but our small store was out of wings so i used drumsticks. Cooked carrots in the instant pot in the left over juice while chicken finished under the broiler.
Delicious!!