How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In Instant Pot

Must Try

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash With Egg Noodles

The Best Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Paprika and chicken stock deliver big flavor with this easy Instant Pot paprikash, featuring skinless, boneless chicken thighs and egg noodles. “Easy and delicious,” says Latkins. “It’s my kind of meal. I added some red peppers but you don’t need to. I just wanted to jazz it up a bit. It’s a perefect weeknight meal.”

Paprika and chicken stock deliver big flavor with this easy Instant Pot paprikash, featuring skinless, boneless chicken thighs and egg noodles. “Easy and delicious,” says Latkins. “It’s my kind of meal. I added some red peppers but you don’t need to. I just wanted to jazz it up a bit. It’s a perefect weeknight meal.”

How To Cook Chicken Thighs In The Instant Pot :

Set instant pot to saute setting. Add oil. Season chicken with desired seasonings. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until skin is crispy brown. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Add 1 cup of liquid to the bottom of the instant pot, scraping up any browned bites that have stuck from searing the skin.

Place trivet inside and add chicken thighs on top. Place lid on the instant pot and make sure the vent is set to sealed.

Pressure cooking times for fresh and frozen thighs:

  • Boneless Thighs: Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes for fresh or 12 minutes for frozen thighs.
  • Bone-in Thighs: Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes for fresh, or 15 minutes for frozen thighs.

Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then turn the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.

If desired, test chicken with a thermometer it should reach 165 degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Store leftover cooked chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

What Spices Do You Use

I typically use a combination of onion powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The great thing about spices is they can easily be swapped with your favorites. Here are other combinations to try:

  • Oregano + Basil + Garlic powder + Salt + Pepper
  • Red chili flakes + Chili powder + Garlic powder + Salt + Pepper
  • Rosemary + Thyme + Basil + Salt + Pepper
  • Paprika + Garlic powder + Cayenne + Oregano + Salt + Pepper
  • Turmeric + Cumin + Chili powder + Salt + Pepper

After the spices have been added, cover and set the Instant Pot to SEALING. Cook chicken thighs on high pressure for 30 minutes.

Recommended Reading: Burn Message Instant Pot

How To Cook Chicken In The Instant Pot

Instant Pot chicken breastanother reason to love the Instant Pot! Heres how to make it:

  • Put the trivet insert in the Instant Pot and pour in some chicken stock.
  • Season chicken breasts with all of the spices and herbs.
  • Put the chicken into the pot! Close the lid and put the vent in the closed position.
  • Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes or 15 minutes .
  • Next, you can wait for the pressure to release naturally or *carefully* move the vent a little at a time for a quick release.
  • To confirm doneness, use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken breast internal temperature. If it reads 165°, youre done!
  • Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Breast

    Instant Pot Bbq Chicken Thighs From Fresh or Frozen

    The Instant Pot reigns supreme when it comes to making meals quickly. Within minutes, I can have perfectly cooked rice, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, chicken stock, or beans.

    But chicken breast can be a bit more tricky to cook perfectly. Thankfully, after 20 plus tries, I have perfected cooking Instant Pot Chicken Breast. In fact, now I prefer preparing chicken breast in the Instant Pot over any other cooking method.

    Whether fresh or frozen, I can whip up Instant Pot Chicken Breasts in record time and they turn out perfectly tender and juicy every single time.

    Also Check: Instant Pot L000

    What Beer Should I Choose

    Using beer in recipes is a great way to add a rich flavor. Do not worry about the alcohol it cooks off during the cooking process!

    When choosing beer for your Instant Pot Chicken Thighs, consider the flavor you want to enjoy. Find the Right Beerprovides options to choose from based on your preferences.

    One of the best ways to decide your favorite is to make this recipe multiple times with a different can of beer each time. I found my personal favorite is a can of Bud Light because of the light flavor.

    Cover the Instant Pot and set to SEALING. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

    Using the natural or quick release, release the pressure from the Instant Pot and remove chicken.

    Set the thighs on a baking sheet, brush with oil and set under the broiler for 3 minutes or until the skin is brown and crispy.

    Does Cook Time Change If I Have A Smaller Or Larger Instant Pot

    • No matter which size model Instant Pot you have, the number of minutes you select on the Instant Pot remains the same.

    The capacity of each Instant Pot and the amount of time the differently sized pots take to come to pressure will vary, but youll always set it for the same number of minutes, regardless of its size.

    If you have a different brand other than Instant Pot and are wondering how long to cook chicken in a pressure cooker, the times listed above should still be accurate for other electric pressure cooker models.

    Also Check: How To Use Instant Pot Cook Rice

    Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken

    “This luscious, deeply flavored dish, originally created by a Pakistani food cart vendor in Delhi, is a cinch to make in an Instant Pot,” says Shauna James Ahern. “After an overnight marinade in yogurt and traditional spices, you can use an Instant Pot to cook every step, from toasting spices to cooking aromatics, to adding the tomatoes and chile. You can even make a batch of basmati rice ahead. This dinner will be such a treat.”

    “This luscious, deeply flavored dish, originally created by a Pakistani food cart vendor in Delhi, is a cinch to make in an Instant Pot,” says Shauna James Ahern. “After an overnight marinade in yogurt and traditional spices, you can use an Instant Pot to cook every step, from toasting spices to cooking aromatics, to adding the tomatoes and chile. You can even make a batch of basmati rice ahead. This dinner will be such a treat.”

    Pressure Cook At High Pressure 0 Minute

    How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot~Easy Cooking

    Yes! You can pressure cook at 0 minute!

    Were setting the pressure cooking time to 0 minute because were using the heat generated during the up to pressure AND depressurizing stages to cook the chicken breast.

    Every time, make sure you measure the chickens internal temperature with an accurate Food Thermometer, and the thickest part needs to reach at least 165°F after resting.

    Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Says Burn What To Do

    Recommended Reading: Insta Pot Burn Food

    More Chicken Thighs Recipes

    If you find this instant pot frozen chicken post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below. If you don’t want to miss any of our posts to the blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow us on Instagram and .

    Join our to meet and share tips and recipes with other good food lovers.

    How To Make Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

  • Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning . See below for ideas of how to customize the seasoning.
  • Press the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot. Wait until it shows Hot and then add a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil and then add the chicken thighs. Cook about 3 minutes. Then turn the chicken and cook for about another 3 minutes on the other side.
  • Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and pour in 1 cup water or chicken brother
  • Add the trivet into the Instant Pot and place the chicken thighs on the trivet.
  • Close the lid and move the seal into the sealing position. Press Pressure cook and change the time to 5 minutes. The Instant pot will take about 8 minutes to come up to pressure and then cook for 5 minutes.
  • Let the Instant Pot naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release. After the pressure valve has dropped, open the lid, and carefully remove the chicken thighs.
  • Serve with your favorite side dish, such as fresh broccoli or rice.
  • Read Also: Which Instant Pot To Get

    You May Like: How To Cook Venison Roast In An Instant Pot

    Tips To Make The Best Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    • Allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 10 minutes: This helps keep the meat from seizing up and becoming tough. It will also help finish the meat to cook through completely and absorb more flavours.
    • Thicken the sauce: I really enjoy this dish without needing to thicken the sauce. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the cooked chicken from the Instant Pot, and turn on the Sauté setting. Cook the sauce for about 5 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened. Alternatively, make a slurry by mixing 3 Tablespoons water with 3 Tablespoons flour until smooth. Stir into the sauce and cook on saute for 1 – 2 minutes until thickened.
    • Use fresh spices: Paprika, in particular, loses its strength and flavour rather quickly. Use the freshest spices possible for maximum flavour.
    • Don’t add too much liquid: Repeating this again due to how important it is to not add too much liquid. Particularly for this recipe which includes vegetables that release a lot of liquid when pressure cooked.
    • No need to use a trivet: Most recipes will have you place the chicken thighs on a trivet to prevent them from boiling in the liquid. In this recipe, the chicken will rest on the large amount of onions and peppers so one is not needed. That said, if you are omitting the peppers, or you don’t have a lot of vegetables, consider using a trivet if you have one.
    • Remove a few onions for garnish: This is optional but once the onions brown, I like to remove a few and reserve them for garnish.

    Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    Here’s a hearty version of chicken tortilla soup with layers of flavors, starring veggies, herbs, black beans, and lime juice. “Top soup with avocado, pepper Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips, and hot sauce. This is great for freezing!” says voraciousgirl.

    Here’s a hearty version of chicken tortilla soup with layers of flavors, starring veggies, herbs, black beans, and lime juice. “Top soup with avocado, pepper Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips, and hot sauce. This is great for freezing!” says voraciousgirl.

    Don’t Miss: Does Instant Pot Have Slow Cooker

    Instant Pot Chicken Is So Easy

    Cooking chicken in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot works similarly to poaching. The biggest difference is that you use less liquid and you can press a button and step away while the pot is doing its thing.

    The chicken cooks in water, seasoned with salt, bay leaves, and garlic for a little bit of extra flavor. You can add any aromatic spices or vegetables to the water, really, depending on how you want to flavor the meat. Ginger and green onion would be nice if you plan to use the chicken on top of an Asian-style salad, for instance.

    Instant Pot Chicken & Rice

    If thereâs one thing we find magical about Instant Pots, itâs how quickly and perfectly they cook chicken and rice. The rice is the perfect texture and the chicken is insanely tender. This is the meal we cook in the Instant Pot the most often.

    IMPORTANT! If using newer versions of Instant Pot, especially 8-quart capacity models, we recommend removing the inner pot after sautéing and letting it cool off for 5 to 10 minutes before moving on to the pressure cooking stage. This will help prevent a potential burn warning.

    Looking to try out even more recipes in yourInstant Pot? Look no further!

    Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

    This introduction was updated recently to include more information about the dish.

    boneless skinless chicken breasts

    Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

  • Stir in rice and broth and season with salt and pepper. Add carrots, bell pepper, and chicken, and season generously again with salt and pepper.
  • Close lid, change setting to manual or âPressure Cookâ and set for 8 minutes on High. When 8 minutes is up, let pot decompress naturally for 10 minutes, then release pressure, remove lid, and shred chicken. Top with parsley before serving.
  • Also Check: How To Cook Tuna Steak In Instant Pot

    Recommended Reading: Steaming Beets In Instant Pot

    How To Defrost Bone

  • Place the frozen chicken thighs in a leak-proof plastic bag, sealing tightly
  • Fill your clean sink with cold water
  • Place the sealed bag of frozen chicken into the cold water
  • Changing the water every half hour, keeping the water cold
  • For 1 lb of meat, it should take about an hour to thaw the chicken thighs.
  • Next, pour either the can of beer OR 12 oz of chicken broth over the top of the chicken. Then, sprinkle the spices on top of each chicken thigh.

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Tips

    Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot Ultra 60
    • Dont crowd the air fryer basket. The chicken thighs should be in a single layer. You want the air to be able to circulate around the pieces so that the skin will crisp as it cooks. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
    • I tested this recipe in the Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. Air fryers can vary so the cook times given are estimates. The nice thing about the air fryer is that its easy to open it during the cooking process to check if the chicken is done.
    • If your chicken pieces are not all the same size, smaller thighs will cook faster than larger thighs. If some thighs are done before others, remove the pieces that are done first to a clean plate while the rest finish cooking.
    • If you have extra room in your air fryer, you can air fry a vegetable at the same time as the chicken, as long as everything fits in a single layer. This may be an option if you have a larger air fryer model and are cooking for one or two, rather than a large family.

    Recommended Reading: How To Cook Frozen Meatballs In Instant Pot

    Read Also: Instant Pot Tuna

    Why You Need This Recipe

    • If you dont want to cook a whole turkey this year for Thanksgiving , try cooking a whole chicken instead. This chicken recipe serves 2-4 people, and youll still probably have leftovers.
    • Make this Instant Pot Whole Chicken with Potatoes and leave your oven open for your side dishes or pie.
    • Feel free to use whatever root vegetables you like. I recommend carrots and potatoes, but you could also use sweet potatoes, parsnips, or turnips.

    Four: Cook Chicken Thighs

    • Place lid on the pressure cooker and be sure your vent knob is pointed to sealed.
    • Set to high pressure for 8 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs. For boneless chicken thighs cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
    • Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to release for 5-10 minutes.
    • Manually release any remaining pressure and check the temperature on chicken thighs, with a digital meat thermometer. Your chicken should be between 162-165 degrees Fahrenheit. If your chicken thighs are below 162 degrees, do not panic. Simply place the lid back on the pressure cooker and cook for 1-2 minutes on high pressure. It will not take long for your Instant Pot to come to pressure a second time.
    • Remove chicken from Instant Pot and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

    You May Like: How To Cook Frozen Cabbage Rolls In Instant Pot

    Seasoning The Chicken Thighs

    Dark meat has more flavor than white meat, but seasoning is a must. You can simply season it with salt and pepper, but I recommend adding more flavors. In this recipe here Ive used paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

    But feel free to use your favorite seasonings, I love this homemade fajita seasoning, Italian seasoning is also great, and if youre feeling adventurous then go for Middle Eastern flavors with this easy shawarma seasoning recipe.

    Why Does My Instant Pot Say Burn

    BBQ Instant Pot Chicken Thighs: from FRESH or FROZEN
    • A BURN warning on an Instant Pot occurs when the heat sensor reads a high temperature on the bottom of the pot, which can indicate scorching. This causes the pot to stop heating until it is resolved.
    • Make sure you are using the required amount of water for your Instant Pot model. You shouldnt have a problem with this if you follow the instructions here, because this method uses enough water to prevent the warning.

    Recommended Reading: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

    Read Also: What Is C7 On Instant Pot

    Key Ingredients For Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    Chicken Thighs I know a lot of people shy away from dark meat chicken, but honestly I love chicken thighs. They have so much flavor and theyre so juicy, especially if youre using bone-in thighs and theyre a little higher in nutrients than chicken breasts. Theyre a little fattier than chicken breasts, too, so theyre great for anyone following a keto way of eating!Chicken Broth This method steams the chicken thighs, so you need a liquid in there to get the job done! I like to use chicken broth for added flavor, but you can use water instead if you want. Just make sure to use at least 1 cup of whichever liquid you choose if youre using a 6-quart Instant Pot. An 8-quart Instant Pot will need 1.5 cups of liquid.

    Latest Recipes

    More Recipes Like This