Instant Pot Chicken Quarters

4.23 from 9 votes

With a simple chicken leg quarter recipe on hand, you'll have dinner with no hassle at all. Juicy and flavorful dark meat chicken isn't too far away.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Natural Pressure Release5

Total Time30

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: quarters

Calories: 322kcal

Cost: Recipe $3.03 / Serving $0.77

½ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning ($0.04)
½ teaspoon paprika ($0.04)
½ teaspoon garlic powder ($0.04)
½ teaspoon onion powder ($0.04)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.02)
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ($0.01)

Make rub. In a small bowl, mix together all of the spice rub ingredients.
Prepare Instant Pot. Add the water to the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside.
Season chicken. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken leg quarters.
Arrange. Stand the chicken quarters upright on the trivet, alternating direction so they fit evenly.
Pressure cook. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 15 to 20 minutes. Use 25 minutes if the chicken is partially frozen.
Release pressure. Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure manually.
Check temperature. Verify the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F. If not, place the chicken in a 350°F oven until fully cooked.
Crisp skin. Place the chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet and broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until the skin is crisped to your liking.
Serve. Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.

Positioning. Standing the chicken upright on the trivet helps it fit better and cook evenly.
Liquid options. Water, chicken broth, or beer can be used. Ensure at least 1 to 1 ½ cups of liquid for proper pressure cooking.
Broiling. Broiling after pressure cooking is optional but recommended for crisp skin and better color.
Food safety. Always confirm the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.