Name: Instant Pot Chinese BBQ Wings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds chicken wings; 1/2 cup hoisin sauce; 1/4 cup light soy sauce; 3 to 4 cloves garlic (minced); 4 tablespoons honey (or 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons brown sugar); 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine; 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder; 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup water; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons cold water

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If you’re looking for an easy dinner that’s packed with bold flavor, these Instant Pot Chinese BBQ Wings are a must-try. They’re coated in a sweet, savory, and sticky homemade sauce made with hoisin, soy sauce, honey, garlic, Shaoxing wine, and Chinese five-spice. The Instant Pot makes the wings perfectly tender before they’re tossed in a rich, glossy sauce that’s delicious served over steamed rice!

Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner, game day, or a family gathering, these wings come together with simple pantry ingredients and are always a crowd-pleaser!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet, savory, and sticky homemade sauce
Easy to make in the Instant Pot
No marinating required
Ready in about 30 minutes
Great for dinner, parties, or meal prep
Family friendly

Variations

This recipe is easy to customize using different cuts of chicken.

Chicken drumettes: Cook for the same amount of time as whole wings, 10 minutes for fresh or 15 minutes for frozen.
Chicken drumsticks: Cook for 12 minutes if fresh or 18 minutes if frozen, followed by a 5-minute natural release.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Cook for 8 minutes.
Bone-in chicken thighs: Cook for 12 minutes.

No matter which cut you choose, finish by thickening the sauce and tossing the chicken until it’s fully coated.

Tips for the Best Chinese BBQ Wings

Fresh garlic provides the best flavor.
Don’t skip the 5-minute natural pressure release to help keep the wings juicy.
Add the cornstarch slurry only after pressure cooking so the sauce thickens properly.
If using frozen wings, separate any large frozen pieces before cooking for more even results.
Like extra sauce? Double the sauce ingredients and thicken as directed for plenty to drizzle over rice.

Ingredient Notes

1. Chicken Wings

Chicken wings become incredibly juicy and tender in the Instant Pot while still holding their shape. This recipe works with both fresh and frozen wings, making it an easy option to keep on your weekly dinner rotation.

2. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is the star of the homemade BBQ sauce. It adds a rich, sweet, and savory flavor while helping create the thick, glossy glaze that coats every wing.

3. Light Soy Sauce

Soy sauce adds saltiness and deep umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey and hoisin sauce.

4. Honey

Honey provides natural sweetness while helping the sauce become perfectly sticky. If you prefer a slightly richer flavor, you can substitute half of the honey with brown sugar.

5. Shaoxing Wine

Shaoxing wine adds subtle depth and complexity to the sauce. If you don’t have any on hand, dry sherry is a great substitute.

6. Chinese Five-Spice Powder

Chinese five-spice gives the sauce its signature warm, aromatic flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, and pepper. A small amount adds incredible depth without overpowering the sauce.

Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Yes! Simply cook frozen wings on High Pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release.

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! This recipe also works well with drumettes, drumsticks, and chicken thighs. See the cooking times in the Variations section above.

What should I serve with Chinese BBQ Wings?

These wings are delicious served over steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, garlic green beans, stir-fried bok choy, roasted broccoli, or a crisp cucumber salad.

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