Instant Pot Chicken Thights

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Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs | Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

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Amazingly moist, tender, juicy lemon-thyme chicken, perfectly golden brown, made right in the IP in just 5 min! So quick!

Ive been on a huge chicken thigh binge lately.

From the cilantro lime chicken thighs to the lemon garlic chicken thighs, its been ALL ABOUT THE THIGHS this summer.

But when Im not in the mood to grill or smoke out the house using a grill pan, the IP is here for the juiciest, most tender chicken thigh rescue.

With a simple lemon-thyme spice rub, you can quickly sear your chicken right in the IP. From there, youll let it pressure cook for just 5 minutes, infusing your chicken thighs with all that lemony goodness without using a marinade. The pressure cooker takes care of that for you!

So boom. One pan meal. No mess. No fuss.

Use as a base for a salad or serve with a light green salad, crusty bread, and a glass of wine.

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice Recipe

I already have a pressure cooker rice and chicken on the blog but it uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Todays recipe, I am sharing with you how to perfectly cook bone-in chicken thighs with rice in your instant pot without the rice turning mushy or the chicken overcooked.

You can also use chicken legs for this recipe. Chicken legs or quarter is a combination of thighs and the drumstick.

If you follow this recipe to the letter, you wont get the almighty BURN notice, a big statement but it is the truth and that is why I made a video just to show you how easy it is. I cant deny I have had a few shares of BURN notices when using my 6qt Instant pot Duo but one thing I didnt do is fret.

I just believe the new instant pot has a mind of its own and it sometimes doesnt like tomatoes. There you have it, this recipe didnt use tomatoes, so no cause for alarm.

Related post: If you don’t own a pressure cooker but you would still love to make this recipe, check out my one-pot chicken and rice recipe.

Make Honey Garlic Sauce

*Note: If youre using store-bought sauces or other sauces, skip this step & jump to Step 2.

First, heat up the Instant Pot using Saute Normal function.

The indicator will switch to ON. Wait until the indicator says HOT .

Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter or add vegetable oil in the Instant Pot.

Add in minced garlic, then saute for 45 seconds to 1 minute.

Then, pour in 2 tbsp regular soy sauce and cup honey.

Stir to reduce & thicken the honey garlic sauce a bit for 2 3 minutes.

Add ¼ cup ketchup to a container, then mix in the honey garlic sauce.

Give the yummy honey garlic sauce a taste and adjust accordingly.

*Note: Its important to taste & adjust because different brands & batches of ketchup, honey, or soy sauce can vary in taste. For reference, we added another 1 tbsp ketchup to the honey garlic sauce to fully balance the flavors.

Set aside and let it cool to thicken a bit.

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How To Customize The Seasoning For Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

You can make this recipe regularly and never get tired of it if you change up the seasoning every so often. Then it will seem like a new dinner each time. Be sure to keep them on hand to make it easy for you. Here are some of my favorite seasoning mixes to use on the chicken thighs.

  • Homemade Taco Seasoning This seasoning is delicious, spicy, and healthier than store-bought taco seasoning. It uses ingredients you likely already have in the pantry. Keep it on hand all the time to use on your favorite dishes.
  • Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning This makes absolutely the BEST, most flavorful roasted or rotisserie chicken! It is the most requested seasoning mix recipe I have.
  • Greek Seasoning Mix A budget friendly option to add flavor to your food without having to buy expensive seasoning packages. This adds so much flavor that I use it all the time. Be sure to keep it on hand.
  • Cajun Blackening Seasoning Mix This Cajun seasoning provides a zesty kick of Creole flavor for Mardi Gras without being overly salty.
  • Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    Jodi / /

    Did you know you can cook frozen chicken thighs in the instant pot in just 30 minutes? This simple pressure cooker chicken thighs recipe transforms frozen chicken into a hot and delicious meal in no time at all!

    Do you ever have those nights when you realize that you forgot to plan ahead for dinner? This Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs recipe is going to be a life-saver! In under 30 minutes, you can transform frozen chicken into a hot & tasty dinner meal. Dont have an instant pot? Learn How to Boil Chicken Thighs with our simple tutorial for juicy tender chicken in just 45 minutes.

    I tend to cook with chicken thighs because they are the most tender cut of chicken and far cheaper than chicken breasts. Plus, my kids prefer the juicy flavor of chicken thighs. For this recipe, I use bone-in chicken thighs but boneless chicken thighs could be substituted if you prefer.

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Its a toss-up between this recipe and my Instant Pot Pulled Pork for the slot at favorite instant pot recipe youve gotta try both youre kids will love them! Serve either with these kid-friendly zucchini crisps and a batch of double chocolate brownies for dessert!

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    Storing Instant Pot Chicken:

    • How to store Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken: Once your lemon garlic chicken is cooled down from being cooked, place in an airtight container or ziplock bag. This will store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days longs. This makes for a great prep meal too! Just add a vegetable and/or rice to a container and enjoy each day.
    • Can you freeze Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken? Yes, this is a great dinner to freeze. Once it is cooked, let cool then place in a ziplock bag. Release the air and lay flat in the freezer. This will stay in the freezer for one month. When ready to warm up, simply thaw in the refrigerator over night.
    • Warming up Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken: When ready to warm up, simply heat the oven to 350* Fahrenheit and warm up in a oven safe pan for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use a microwave to warm up slowly and flipping your chicken each time.

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Jasmine Rice

  • Bite size chicken thighs
  • Use canned or homemade chicken broth, or stock
  • Uncooked white rice
  • Garlic powder, and any other seasonings you love
  • I prefer to add a sprinkle of salt and pepper when done, I think the broth has enough sodium in it personally.
  • From there you could include frozen peas, fresh green beans cut into thirds or even celery cut up. I try to get all the veggies in there that I can. Now my kiddos love growing and eating produce because theyve had to try one bite as a child for years and years. Made them vegetable lovers for life because of it I think.

    Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already havetwinsies!

    Also Check: How To Cook Beets In An 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.

    What You Will Need To Make This Recipe

    The Best Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    To make this simple instant pot rice and chicken recipe, you would need the following Ingredients

    Skinless bone in chicken thighs: I bought chicken thighs with skin and removed the skin myself

    Uncooked rice: I used golden Sella basmati rice which cooks like long grain rice. You can also use pure basmati rice for this recipe. You do not need to soak the rice before cooking it.

    Stock: I used chicken stock but feel free to use any type of stock of choice, beef or vegetables.

    Herb de Provence: substitute this with Italian seasoning or any other herbs of choice

    Paprika

    Vegetable oil

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    How To Use Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    Now that you’ve got the basic technique down, get inspired with all different kinds of Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes. A little teriyaki sauce goes a long way in this Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe. Experiment with flavors like barbeque or bacon-ranch. Keep things simple with this Instant Pot Pepper Chicken Recipe. Or for a dish that will really impress, chicken cacciatore is made easier with the Instant Pot. Browse our best Instant Pot chicken recipes today.

    Related:

    Can I Freeze Extras

    Yes! Cooked chicken thighs freeze like a champ. Wait until theyre fully cool, then transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Defrost frozen chicken thighs overnight in the fridge, or in the microwave on the defrost setting in a pinch. Then simply reheat until the chicken is nice and hot.

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    Can I Use Frozen Chicken

    Yes! In fact, the first time I tested this recipe I used a block of frozen chicken thighs. They were shockingly delicious. Simply follow the recipe exactly, skip browning the chicken, and add 4 to 5 minutes more cooking time. If you wish, increase the spice amount by just a touch.

    Note: You can find all the detailed instructions for cooking frozen chicken thighs in the Instant Pot in the recipe notes.

    Instant Pot Chicken Stuffing Casserole

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    » You might also like Instant Pot Lasagna.

    » Check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet so you never have to look up times again for your favorite foods you make in the pressure cooker. Print or bookmark it so you always have it handy!

    This is one of our favorite family meals to make during the fall. I like to incorporate stuffing into meals whenever I can because we love the flavors and its only a short window during which to eat it. Stuffing isnt just for Thanksgiving!

    With the use of the Instant Pot, this meal is quick and easy to make. Its such good comfort food for the cold weather.

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    Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

    This is an easy Instant Pot dinner recipe.

    With two little ones that keep me busy all day, I dont always have time to prep ahead when it comes to dinner.

    Thats why I am such a big fan of the Instant Pot and use it regularly at our house.

    If you love using your instant pot try this Instant Pot Ribs or Instant Pot Pasta with Meatballs.

    Instant pot is just what you need for those busy weeknights!

    This Lemon Garlic Chicken is tender, juicy and full of flavor.

    And the best part is that dinner can be on the table in just 30 minutes with the help of a trusty pressure cooker.

    It is the one stop meal that is perfect for busy nights and a growing family that loves a flavorful meal!

    How Long Does It Take To Cook Chicken Thighs

    The cook time for chicken thighs in an Instant Pot will vary depending on whether you are using bone-in chicken thighs or boneless chicken thighs. Bone in thighs will take longer to cook, but with the bone remaining in the chicken thigh you may have a more tender cut of meat. Bone in chicken thighs are also a lot more cost-effective because it requires less work for the butcher to process out the bones. The choice is yours!

    If you choose bone-in thighs, you will be pressure cooking the chicken thighs for 15 minutes. If you choose to use boneless chicken thighs, you will be pressure cooking the chicken for 10 minutes.

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    Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

    This Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe is easy, delicious, juicy, tender, and flavorful and allows you to enjoy dinner fast! Learn how to customize the chicken seasoning and make a gravy to go with the chicken.

    I love chicken thighs because they remain tender and juicy after cooking and dont dry like like chicken breasts do sometimes. You can tell I love them. Just check out a few of my other chicken thigh recipes, such as BBQ Chicken Thighs, Oven Baked Bacon Ranch Chicken Thighs, and Chicken Vesuvio. If you are looking for more dinner ideas, check out these chicken thigh recipes from FoodNetwork.com.

    However, I love my Instant Pot Pressure Cooker as well, and have many Instant Pot Recipes. I have cooked chicken thighs in a skillet, in the oven, and on the grill, and knew it was time to cook them in the Instant Pot, and it was so easy!! The Instant Pot really makes the chicken thighs really moist and juicy, even more so than other cooking methods. And you can start with either fresh or frozen chicken thighs. For this recipe, my chicken thighs were thawed out, but if you find yourself short on time, or if you forgot to take the chicken thighs out of the freezer, it is good to know that you can cook them in the Instant Pot and they will still cook through and will be delicious.

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Q& a

    How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs using the Instant Pot | JKMCraveTV

    Can you stack chicken thighs in an Instant Pot?

    You can absolutely stack chicken thighs in your Instant Pot, however, we only recommend doing this if you plan to shred the chicken.Stacking your thighs is going to reduce the crunchiness of the skin, which makes it perfect for shredding. However, if you want each thigh to have an amazing texture, make sure you do NOT stack them.

    What setting do you cook chicken on in an Instant Pot?

    To get the most perfect chicken thigh Instant Pot recipe with sauce, first, saute your thighs in olive oil on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. Then, add your sauce and close the Instant Pot. Turn the valve to seal and cook on high for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off, do a quick release.

    How do you cook frozen thighs Instant Pot?

    Cooking frozen thighs in the Instant Pot is rather easy. Add frozen thighs to the Instant Pot and then add in your sauce . Then, cook on high for around 15 minutes.

    Do you have to use a trivet in Instant Pot?

    Technically, you do not HAVE to use the trivet when cooking chicken thighs in the Instant Pot. However, it is helpful for preventing the burn notice from appearing.All Instant Pots are different. Our older Instant Pot is much less finicky when it comes to trivets and we usually dont use one when making Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. However, our new one almost always gets the burn notice, so a trivet is a must!

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    Tips For Making Instant Pot Lemon Chicken:

    • Thicken you sauce: If you want to thicken the sauce make a cornstarch slurry using 1 teaspoon of cornstarch whisked with 2 teaspoons cold water and stir in the Instant Pot. Press SAUTE and allow to bubble and thicken up.
    • Frozen chicken: Using frozen chicken will work. It is best to thaw your chicken ahead of time but if that is not an option simply cook the frozen chicken in the Instant Pot.
    • Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Recipe: Follow all the same instructions for preparing the chicken. When it is time to add the chicken and other ingredients to the instant pot, add it to the slow cooker. Cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours until your chicken is cooked through. Get ready to have all the smells in your home!

    How To Make Fresh Chicken Thighs In An Instant Pot

    Cooking perfect Instant Pot chicken thighs is a no-brainer. Check out the recipe overview below:

    • Trim and Season Chicken: Trim any excess fat and skin from your chicken thighs. Massage the seasoning all over the thighs until they are completely coated.
    • Brown the Chicken and Onions: On the sauté setting, brown the outside of the chicken thighs. Remove the chicken. Cut onion into half rings and sauté in the brown bits leftover from browning the chicken.
    • Pressure Cook Chicken: Return the chicken to the Instant Pot, nestling the thighs on top of the onions. Seal and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Allow the chamber to have a natural release for an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

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    What Should I Serve With Chicken Thighs

    I also share these frozen whole chicken instructions.

    Options to get crispy chicken thigh skin at the end:

  • Transfer meat to a pan and put under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until top of skin gets as crispy as youd like.
  • Use air crisp function on your Ninja foodi pot.
  • A few minutes at 400 degrees with a light spray of olive oil on top will do the trick.

  • Empty thickened sauce into a bowl and put chicken in an air fryer. Make sure they arent overlapping so they crisp as much as possible.
  • Put CrispLid on and set to 400 degrees for 4-8 minutes or until theyre as crispy as youd like.
  • Remove and pour cream cheese sauce over the top. Serve.
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