Discover the Easiest Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe for Effortless Weeknight Dinners
How Long Does It Take to Cook Instant Pot Chicken Thighs?
🧑🍳 Cooking Instant Pot chicken thighs takes about 10 minutes of pressure cooking time, depending on their size. Including the 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure and the release time, you can expect tender, juicy chicken thighs in about 20-25 minutes.
Need a quick and delicious dinner for busy weeknights? This Instant Pot chicken thighs recipe is your answer. Pressure cooking seals in the juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that pairs perfectly with your favorite sides or can be used in various recipes.
Thanks to the one-pot cooking method, this customizable dish requires minimal cleanup. You can adjust the seasonings and cooking times to your preference.
Using your pressure cooker, you can easily create tender chicken thighs that are full of flavor and practically melt off the bone.
Whether you prefer boneless or bone-in thighs, this method guarantees a delicious meal in less time. It’s a convenient and reliable way to enjoy a satisfying dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
- Preparing Your Chicken Thighs for the Instant Pot
- Recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Tips for Cooking Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- More Chicken Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Preparing Your Chicken Thighs for the Instant Pot
Before you start cooking, preparing your chicken properly is important. This can greatly improve how your dish turns out.
Let’s look at how to choose and prepare the best chicken meat for your Instant Pot.
Good preparation helps your chicken cook evenly and taste great. By picking the right thighs, cutting off extra fat, and cleaning them well, you will make your cooking experience even better.
Choosing the Right Chicken Thighs
Dark meat, like chicken thighs, is a top choice for flavor and tenderness. Compared to chicken breasts, thighs have more taste and stay juicy, especially when cooked in a pressure cooker or
Bone-in thighs have more flavor, but boneless skinless chicken thighs are easier to work with. Your choice will depend on what you like.
Both bone-in and boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used in this recipe. Use what you have or what you prefer. Just keep in mind that bone-in thighs need a bit more cooking time.
Whichever type of chicken you choose – from the grocery store or a local butcher – try to get fresh, high-quality chicken for the best outcome.
Trimming and Cleaning
Once you choose your chicken thighs, it’s time to get them ready. If the thighs have skin, you can keep it for more flavor or take it off for a healthier meal.
Remember, while the skin can get crispy with some cooking methods, it won’t do the same in the Instant Pot.
Begin by rinsing the chicken thighs under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Next, trim away any excess fat or skin with a sharp knife for larger pieces of fat.
Taking these extra steps when cooking chicken thighs makes your meal better. Cleaning and trimming the thighs not only looks nicer but also gets rid of any strange textures.
Now that your chicken is ready, let’s gather the ingredients to make our tasty Instant Pot chicken thighs.
Recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
To take your Instant Pot chicken thighs to another level, you need a mix of important ingredients.
These ingredients will help boost their natural taste. When they come together, they create a mix of flavors that will delight your senses.
You can turn your chicken thighs into a delicious dish by picking and mixing these key ingredients.
Ingredients
Spices and herbs are key for giving your chicken thighs great flavor. You can start with a simple mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This mix alone can really boost the taste.
If you want a stronger flavor, try adding smoked paprika, dried oregano, or thyme. These warm and earthy spices can make your dish even better.
For something Mediterranean, Italian seasoning works well. It has herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary.
Feel free to play around with different spice blends to find what you like best. You can change the amounts to fit your taste. Just remember, a little spice can make a big difference.
Here are the ingredients you will need for Instant Pot chicken thighs:
- 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 cup liquid chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Seasoning of choice
Instructions
Turn on your Instant Pot to the “Saute” setting and add oil.
While the oil heats up, pat your chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a good browning on the chicken.
Season your chicken thighs with your favorite spices.
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are crispy brown. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot, making sure to scrape up any browned bits stuck from searing the chicken skin.
Insert the trivet into the Instant Pot and place the chicken thighs on top. Secure the lid and ensure the vent is set to “sealed.”
For Boneless Thighs: Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes if fresh, or 12 minutes if frozen.
For Bone-in Thighs: Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes for fresh thighs, or 15 minutes if they’re frozen.
Let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then switch the valve to “venting” to release any remaining steam.
Check that the chicken reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer for best results.
If they are slightly undercooked, cover the chicken thighs Instant Pot and let them rest for 5 minutes. If further cooking is needed, secure the lid and cook on high pressure for an additional 1-3 minutes.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Cooking Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
When cooking Instant Pot chicken thighs, remember that browning the chicken before pressure cooking adds depth of flavor.
The golden-brown bits at the bottom of the pot will enhance your sauce. Experiment with different spice blends like paprika, oregano, or thyme to elevate your dish.
For extra flavor, apply the spice rub under the skin so the meat absorbs more seasoning as it cooks.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the amounts to suit your preferences. Enjoy the process and savor the delicious results!
Marination Tips
Marinating your chicken is not a must for this recipe, but it can really boost their taste and make them more tender. It’s a great way to add even more great flavor to your chicken.
Making a simple marinade with things from your pantry is easy and gives great results. Here are some ideas:
Citrus Herb Marinade: Mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley), salt, and pepper.
Honey Soy Marinade: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced ginger, a bit of red pepper flakes, and a dash of sesame oil.
Yogurt Marinade: This one adds flavor and helps make the chicken tender. Mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric powder, salt, and pepper.
Whichever marinade you choose, let your chicken sit for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is best if you can. This will make sure every bite of juicy chicken thighs is full of flavor.
Cooking Process and Times
Once the chicken thighs get a nice brown layer on each side, take them out of the pot and put them aside.
Next, deglaze the pot by pouring in a cup of chicken broth, ensuring you scrape up any browned bits at the bottom.
The cooking time varies depending on whether you’re using boneless or bone-in chicken:
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: 6-8 minutes
- Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Thighs: 10-12 minutes
After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. This allows the chicken to finish cooking and stay juicy.
Serving Suggestions
One great thing about this Instant Pot chicken thighs recipe is how flexible it is. The soft, tasty chicken goes well with many side dishes, which makes it very popular.
Let’s look at some fun and delicious ideas for serving it to enhance your meal.
There are classic comfort foods as well as lighter and fresher options. You can find a side dish to match every taste.
Pairing with Sides
For a warm and filling meal, you can serve your Instant Pot chicken thighs with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy brown rice, or couscous. These mild flavors go well with the tasty chicken.
If you want something lighter, roasted vegetables are a great choice. You can toss your favorite veggies, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or asparagus, in olive oil, salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like.
Then, roast them in the oven until they are soft and a little crispy on the edges. The bright colors and fresh flavors will look and taste wonderful on your plate.
Don’t forget, no chicken thigh dish is complete without delicious gravy. The tasty liquid left in your Instant Pot is perfect for this.
To make a simple gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Set your Instant Pot to “Saute,” heat the cooking liquid, and slowly add the slurry while whisking. Cook until your gravy thickens to your liking.
Garnishing
Enhancing your dishes with beautiful decorations, like fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice, adds color and boosts flavor.
Getting crispy chicken skin in the Instant Pot can be tough. But you can make your cooked chicken thighs look nice and golden brown.
Just put them under the broiler in the oven or in an air fryer for a few minutes. This extra step gives a nice texture.
For a final touch, add some chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme on your chicken thighs. These green bits bring freshness and look great. A lemon wedge gives a burst of flavor and finishes off the dish nicely.
Storage Instructions
If you have leftovers from this tasty recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should remain good for 3 to 4 days, and letting the flavors meld makes them even better.
When you want to eat your chicken thighs again, you have a few ways to reheat them. The best choices are using the oven or stovetop.
You can also use a microwave for a quick option, just make sure the chicken gets hot all the way through.
This recipe is great for meal prep, so think about making a big batch. You can use it in salads, sandwiches, or wraps during the week.
More Chicken Recipes
Want more simple yet tasty chicken recipes like this Instant Pot chicken thighs? Try more ideas below:
- Fried Chicken Thighs
- Keto Crockpot Chicken
- Low-Carb Chicken Casserole
- Baked Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in this Instant Pot recipe. Just increase the cooking time by about 50%. Also, be sure to allow a full natural release. This helps the chicken cook all the way through.
How can I ensure the chicken thighs are fully cooked?
To ensure chicken is cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature, which should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit according to the USDA. A pressure cooker is also a good option for even cooking, ensuring your chicken is fully cooked.
What adjustments should I make for bone-in thighs?
Bone-in thighs need a bit more time to cook when using pressure cooking. You should increase the cooking time on high pressure by 2-4 minutes. Also, let the pressure release naturally for a longer period. This will help make the meat tender and juicy.
Can I make this recipe keto-friendly?
This recipe is very easy to change for a keto-friendly diet. You can use low-sodium chicken broth and healthy fats like olive oil. Just skip the cornstarch slurry to keep the carbs down. You can also find the nutrition data based on the ingredients you choose.
Final Thoughts
Instant Pot chicken thighs offer a delicious and convenient meal option for any occasion. By following a few simple steps and using quality ingredients, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your loved ones.
Pair the meal with complementary sides and garnishes for a well-rounded dining experience. Additionally, understanding how to store and reheat leftovers properly ensures that you can enjoy the dish again later.
This recipe is great for everyone, whether you’re new to cooking or a pro. Enjoy making easy and tasty Instant Pot chicken thighs, and relish every bite. Bon appétit!