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These Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks with Cilantro Lime Seasoning are sooooo delicious–and the marinade can be used with any type of chicken you have in your fridge or freezer!

This easy dinner is one that you can make for dinner or meal prep for the week. It uses simple ingredients that are most likely in your pantry already, except for the cilantro. You’ll probably have to run to the store for that.

close up of cooked cilantro lime chicken drumsticks with text for pinterest

Where’s the recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life, we are creating and writing recipes that anyone can make. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or have been cooking for years, you’re going to be successful when making this chicken.

If you’re looking for detailed instructions with cooking tips and healthy eating plan information, read the post below before starting to cook.

If you are familiar with cooking and really just need the ingredient amounts and quick instructions scroll right down to the easy to print easy recipe for these Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks with Cilantro Lime Seasoning.

cooked chicken drumsticks on a white rectangular plate

Ingredients in Cilantro Lime Drumsticks

  • olive oil
  • drumsticks
  • fresh garlic (minced)
  • crushed red peppers
  • cayenne pepper (or chili powder if that’s what you have)
  • lime
  • chopped cilantro
  • chicken broth

How to make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Drumsticks

  1. Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and press the Saute button. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken drumsticks. Sprinkle the minced garlic, crushed red peppers, and cayenne pepper seasoning over the drumsticks. Use tongs to move the drumsticks around so they don’t stick to the pot, and brown for 2 minutes on each side.
  2. Add the lime juice, cilantro, and chicken stock to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid into place and turn the pressure valve to Sealing.
  3. Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes.
  4. When the cook time is finished, let release the pressure naturally. This is called NPR, natural release, or natural pressure release, which just means that you’re not going to touch the Sealing/Venting Valve when the cook time is done. After about 10 minutes if your valve hasn’t dropped, go ahead and move the valve to Venting because you can consider the pressure released at that time.
  5. Transfer the drumsticks to a baking sheet and broil until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes). Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve while warm.
collage showing the steps for how to make instant pot chicken drumsticks

How to make these in the oven

If making these chicken drumsticks in the oven, go ahead and skip the chicken broth. That is used to make the Instant Pot come to pressure and isn’t needed for this cooking method.

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a zipper bag with garlic, crushed red peppers, cayenne pepper, lime juice, and cilantro. You might need to split the recipe between two bags.
  2. Shake the bags to allow the Cilantro Lime marinade to coat all of the drumsticks.
  3. Lightly oil a 9×13 pan. Place drumsticks in a single layer on your pan and add any extra seasonings that are left in the bag to the top of the chicken. You might need a larger pan, depending on how many drumsticks you’re cooking.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn drumsticks carefully with tongs. Bake for 30 minutes more until internal temperature is 165 when read with a meat thermometer.

Recipe Tips

  1. If you don’t love spice, go ahead and leave out the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
  2. This easy chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep! I feel like the flavors are even better the 2nd day.
  3. I love adding fresh lime zest with the cilantro after these come out of the oven.
  4. You can use different chicken for this recipe. We have been loving boneless skinless chicken thighs (honestly, even the bone-in thighs are delicious!), boneless skinless chicken breasts, or even chicken wings.
  5. Tp prep this recipe ahead of time, put the garlic, crushed red peppers, cayenne peppers, lime juice, and cilantro with the drumsticks in a zip-top bag and store in the fridge until needed.
  6. When cooking chicken, you should always take the temperature before removing from the heat source. Cooked chicken should be 165º.

Serve this great recipe with black beans, brown rice or white rice, or raw snacking vegetables.

cooked chicken drumsticks on a white rectangular plate

Healthy Eating Plans

21 Day Fix / Ultimate Portion Fix

Each serving of 2 drumsticks counts as 1 red container and 1 teaspoon.

Trim Healthy Mama

Use MCT oil or Coconut Oil in place of the olive oil in this recipe, and you could use a drop of Lime Essential Oil in place of the lime juice. After making those changes, these cilantro lime drumsticks would be an S recipe.

Weight Watchers

Two drumsticks is 7 Points on the 2023 Plan| 6 Blue Points | 6 Green Points | 6 Purple Points.

These points were calculated using the WW website using exact ingredients, not nutritional information. Weight Watchers has said that this is the most accurate way to calculate points for their diet.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

cooked chicken drumsticks on a white rectangular plate
4.91 from 31 ratings
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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

Created by: Becca Ludlum
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Approximate Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
Servings 3
These Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect Instant Pot Dinner recipe!

Equipment

  • Instant Pot 6 qt
  • Olive Oil Spray
  • Sealing Rings

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 drumsticks
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tsp crushed red peppers
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • juice from 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth Low Sodium

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and press Saute. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken drumsticks. Sprinkle the minced garlic, crushed red peppers, and cayenne pepper seasoning over the drumsticks. Brown for 2 minutes on each side. 1 tbsp olive oil, 6 drumsticks, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp crushed red peppers, 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Add the lime juice, cilantro, and chicken stock to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid into place and turn the pressure valve to Sealing. juice from 1 lime, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes.
  • When the cook time is finished, let release the pressure naturally.
  • Transfer the drumsticks to a baking sheet and broil until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes). Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve while warm.

Oven Instructions

  • If making these chicken drumsticks in the oven, skip the chicken broth.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a zipper bag with garlic, crushed red peppers, cayenne pepper, lime juice, and cilantro. You might need to split the recipe between two bags. 6 drumsticks, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp crushed red peppers, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil, juice from 1 lime, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • Shake the bags to allow the Cilantro Lime marinade to coat all of the drumsticks.
  • Lightly oil a 9×13 pan. Place drumsticks in a single layer on your pan and add any extra seasonings that are left in the bag to the top of the chicken. You might need a larger pan, depending on how many drumsticks you're cooking.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, then turn drumsticks carefully with tongs. Bake for 30 minutes more until internal temperature is 165 when read with a meat thermometer.

Video

Notes

Healthy Eating Plans
21 Day Fix/Ultimate Portion Fix
Each serving of 2 drumsticks counts as 1 red container and 1 teaspoon.
Trim Healthy Mama
Use MCT oil or Coconut Oil in place of the olive oil in this recipe, and you could use a drop of Lime Essential Oil in place of the lime juice. After making those changes, these cilantro lime drumsticks would be an S recipe.
Weight Watchers
Two drumsticks is 7 Points on the 2023 Plan| 6 Blue Points | 6 Green Points | 6 Purple Points.
These points were calculated using the WW website using exact ingredients, not nutritional information. Weight Watchers has said that this is the most accurate way to calculate points for their diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticks | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1418IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

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27 Comments

  1. Michelle Ruiz says:

    How can I make without an instant pot?

    1. Hi Michelle, I’d cook them at 400* for 25 minutes, then flip and cook for 25 more. You’re looking for an internal temp of 160*.

      1. Anonymous says:

        Can I cook them in an air fryer?

  2. Hi! Do you think I could do 12 drumsticks at one time?

      1. I have a 18 pack of drumsticks. Same time?

  3. My IP Duo Mini manual states that there should always be at least 18 ounces (2.25 cups) of liquid if you want to pressure cook. This (and many other recipes) has less than that. Have you ever had problems with the IP when making this?

    1. I am so surprised by that! The 6 quart is 1 cup and the 8 qt is 1.5, I believe-I am stumped about why the mini would take that much water?

      1. Thanks, I just emailed the company to ask.

  4. Bob Alexander says:

    I cooked these tonight and they came out really good! I would caution people who are sensitive that the fumes from the sautéing drums are quite potent. The combination of the cayenne, peppers, etc., caused me considerable discomfort since I had to be standing there turning the drums. My wife was in the next room and also had some discomfort. I think next time I make these, I’ll sauté them in a skillet with a small fan blowing the fumes away.

    1. We had the same issue! Thanks for mentioning this. They were so worth the tears ;)*****

  5. 5 stars
    These were absolutely delicious! I doubled the recipe, but didnt realize I could pressure cook all the drumsticks together, so it took me some time. Now I know for next time. I also only used maybe an 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and pepper flakes. I don’t like too much spice, but wanted to have some of the flavor. Will definitely be making these again.

  6. Jessica Formicola says:

    5 stars
    We made this for dinner last night and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

  7. 5 stars
    I love cilantro and lime together. The IP is amazing to make this in just 20 mins!

  8. are these drumsticks skinless? thanks!

    1. Sara Anderson says:

      No, they’re not :)

  9. If we are cooking in oven do we still use the chicken broth

  10. Anonymous says:

    5 stars
    One of my favorite recipes! Great to have in the fridge for a quick snack!

  11. I noticed there isn’t any salt in the recipe. Do you think adding some salt with the other seasonings would taste ok? My husband has salty taste buds and I was wondering if that would take away from the dish.

    1. I think it would be great! I don’t add salt to my recipes so my readers can salt their own–with so many different health concerns and taste buds, I feel like leaving salt out allows everyone to get exactly what they like :)

  12. can you use frozen drumsticks?

    1. I haven’t tested this recipe with frozen, but it should just take a little longer to come to pressure :)

  13. These were very tasty & so quick to make. I went by what the recipe stated. My family doesn’t like a lot of spice so I omitted the pepper flakes & went light on the cayenne pepper. The steam from browning the legs was harsh to my eyes.

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