🍗 What Makes This Recipe So Good
The Instant Pot does all of the work for you, so you don’t have to worry about over- or under-cooking the chicken. The result is a perfectly juicy, tender chicken thigh with a crisp crust, no matter if you’re using fresh or frozen chicken thighs, with or without bones. Instant Pot chicken thighs are perfect in the warmer months. Mid-July, the last thing I want to do is heat up my whole kitchen with my oven. Plus, it’s quick and easy clean-up since you aren’t using the cooktop or oven. Win, win! Chicken thighs are extremely versatile– you can pair them with any of our side dishes for a complete and delicious meal. My personal favorite chicken thigh sides are creamy mashed potatoes, tender green beans, or savory roasted potatoes and carrots.
👩‍🍳 Chef’s Tips
I kept things simple and used salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season. That way, these Instant Pot chicken thighs are guaranteed to work with basically any side dish. Don’t hesitate to use your favorite seasonings instead, though. Chili powder or paprika for a bit of spice, Tony Chachere’s for Creole flavor… even a little lemon and lime juice would be nice, and give the chicken a slight zip. If you’re using frozen chicken thighs, be sure to keep an eye on them while they’re under the broiler. The skin can crisp up pretty quickly. If they’re cooked too long, you’ll end up with charred chicken skins that throw off the rest of the flavors in the recipe. Adding liquid to the Instant Pot is non-negotiable. Yes, it keeps the meat moist, but it also prevents a burn notice. Chicken broth and water will work well, but you’ve got options! I like to use apple juice or pineapple juice sometimes for even more flavor. Keep in mind that cooking with those juices will give the meat a little of that flavor, which you might not want depending on your side dishes.
More of Our Favorite Chicken Thigh Recipes
Honey Sriracha Chicken Instant Pot Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen, Bone-In or Boneless) Achiote Chicken Creamy Whole30 Bacon Mushroom Chicken Thighs with Thyme (Paleo) Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash Chicken Savoy Honey Garlic Chicken Chicken Vesuvio One-Pan Cranberry Rosemary Chicken Buffalo Chicken Thighs Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
