Let’s be honest, folks, chicken thighs get a bad rap. They’re like the middle child of the poultry family, always overshadowed by the breast’s protein-packed popularity or the drumstick’s fun, handheld appeal. But I’m here to tell you, the thigh is where it’s AT. Especially when you unleash the magic of the Instant Pot.
Forget dry, bland chicken – we’re talking fall-off-the-bone, juicy, flavor-bombed thighs so good, you’ll want to eat them any chance you get. So, ditch the boring chicken breast and prepare for slow cooker chicken thighs.
Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes
1. Honey and Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Cooking Instructions:
Preparation:
- Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides, ensuring an even coating. This step will enhance the flavor of the chicken and ensure it’s well-seasoned before cooking.
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and pour in the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up until it begins to shimmer, indicating it’s hot enough to start cooking.
Cooking Chicken:
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. This step infuses the oil with a rich garlic flavor.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down, into the Instant Pot. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes per side until the skin is golden brown and crispy. This step seals in the flavor and creates a delicious crust.
- Using tongs, remove the browned chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set them aside on a plate. This will allow you to prepare the sauce in the same pot without overcrowding it.
Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and chicken broth. Stir the ingredients together until well mixed. This mixture will form the base of your flavorful sauce.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the Instant Pot, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits add extra flavor to the sauce and prevent sticking during cooking.
Combining:
- Place the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot, skin side up. Make sure the chicken is arranged in a single layer, allowing the sauce to coat each piece evenly.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to the Manual or Pressure Cook setting. Adjust the timer for 10 minutes, ensuring that the pressure valve is set to sealing.
Finishing:
- Once the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. After this, carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting.
- Serve the chicken thighs hot, drizzled with the honey garlic sauce from the Instant Pot. Pair with your favorite side dishes, like rice or steamed vegetables, for a complete meal.
2. Creamy Parmesan Cheese Chicken Thighs
Get out the crockpot with these easy and tasty ground beef crockpot recipes.
Ingredients:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Cooking Instructions:
Preparation:
- Begin by generously seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and pour in the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up for about 3-4 minutes.
Cooking Chicken:
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden, releasing its aromatic oils into the oil.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down, into the Instant Pot. Cook them for approximately 3-4 minutes per side until the skin is golden brown and crispy, which seals in the flavor and juices.
- Using tongs, remove the browned chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set them aside on a plate. This step allows you to prepare the sauce in the same pot without it being overcrowded.
Sauce:
- Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits add extra flavor to the sauce and prevent sticking during cooking.
- Add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and dried basil to the pot. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients, creating a rich and creamy sauce with a hint of basil.
Combining:
- Place the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot, skin side up. Ensure that the chicken is arranged in a single layer, allowing the sauce to coat each piece evenly.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to the Manual or Pressure Cook setting. Adjust the timer for 10 minutes, making sure that the pressure valve is set to sealing.
Finishing:
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. After this, carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting.
- Serve the chicken thighs hot, drizzled with the creamy Parmesan sauce from the Instant Pot. Pair with your favorite side dishes, like pasta or roasted vegetables, for a complete and satisfying meal.
3. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
For something a little smoky, give these smoked salmon recipes a try.
Ingredients:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Cooking Instructions:
Preparation:
- Begin by generously seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. This step ensures the chicken thighs are well-flavored.
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and pour in the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up for approximately 3-4 minutes.
Cooking Chicken:
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden, releasing its flavorful oils into the oil.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down, into the Instant Pot. Cook them for approximately 3-4 minutes per side until the skin is golden brown and crispy, which helps to seal in the flavor and juices.
- Using tongs, remove the browned chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set them aside on a plate. This step allows you to prepare the sauce in the same pot.
Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir the ingredients together until well mixed, creating a sweet and tangy sauce base.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the Instant Pot, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits add extra flavor to the sauce and prevent sticking during cooking.
Combining:
- Place the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot, skin side up. Ensure that the chicken is arranged in a single layer, allowing the sauce to coat each piece evenly.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to the Manual or Pressure Cook setting. Adjust the timer for 10 minutes, making sure that the pressure valve is set to sealing.
Finishing:
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. After this, carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting.
- Serve the chicken thighs hot, drizzled with the BBQ sauce from the Instant Pot. Pair with your favorite side dishes, like coleslaw or cornbread, for a complete and satisfying meal.
So there you have it – a dive into the world of pressure cooker chicken thighs recipes. From savory to sweet, these recipes prove that the humble thigh is a culinary chameleon, ready to transform into a weeknight hero. For delicious baked chicken leg recipes, click here.
No more dry, flavorless chicken dinners. With the Instant Pot and these easy recipes, you’re just minutes away from juicy, delicious, and downright craveable chicken thighs. So, dust off your Instant Pot, grab some thighs, and get ready to experience chicken like never before. Your taste buds (and your family) will thank you.