Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (or oil of choice); 1 Onion (chopped); 3 cloves Garlic (chopped); 3 Chicken Thighs (deboned); 2 Bell Peppers (chopped); 2 Tablespoons Paprika; Salt and Pepper (to taste); 1 1/2 cups Water or Stock; 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste; 2 Tablespoons Greek Yogurt; Parsley (optional garnish)

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Tender, juicy, and delicious is what you end up with when you make these garlic and paprika Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. Cooking chicken thighs in the Instant Pot has never been easier and this seasoned chicken thighs recipe comes out amazing every time.

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juicy chicken thighs served with carrot slices.

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Why This Recipe Works
📋 Ingredients
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
👩‍🍳 Expert Tips
💭 FAQs
Serving Suggestions
🍜 Related Recipes
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
More Delicious Chicken Recipes

Why This Recipe Works

Tender and Juicy: Enjoy perfectly cooked, succulent chicken thighs every time with this recipe.
Instant Pot Magic: Cook chicken thighs in the Instant Pot to simplify the cooking process.
Versatile Meal: These chicken recipe can be paired with almost any side dish from mashed potatoes to fluffy white rice.

📋 Ingredients

Chicken thighs served with carrots on a plate.

For this recipe, you will need simple ingredients that you probably already have. Here's what you need:

Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken, it adds a hint of richness and helps lock in the juices.
Veggies (Onion, Bell Peppers, Garlic): Provide a flavorful base for the chicken, adding depth and layers of flavor to the dish.
Seasonings (Paprika, Salt, Pepper): Enhance the natural flavor of the chicken, with smoked paprika giving a smoky note.
Tomato Paste: Thickens the sauce and gives it a concentrated tomato flavor.
Greek Yogurt: Adds a creamy, tangy element to the sauce, balancing the richness of the tomato paste.
Chicken Broth: Forms the liquid base for the sauce, infusing the chicken with even more flavor as it cooks.

For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

🔀 Substitutions & Variations

Flavor: For a slightly different flavor consider adding a little onion powder to the juicy chicken thighs.
Add Cream: Add a little cream to make the cooked chicken thighs to make this paprika and garlic chicken more creamy.
Chicken Stock: You can use chicken broth or chicken stock in this recipe interchangeably.
Bone In Chicken Thighs: You can cook thighs with bone if you prefer this to boneless skinless thighs however you will need to add an extra 4 minutes cooking time.

🔪How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Push the sauté button on your Instant Pot. Add in the oil. Then, sauté your chopped onion for 2 minutes and your garlic for 1 minute.

Cooking chicken thighs in an Instant Pot.

Step 2: Push cancel on your Instant Pot to shut off the sauté feature. Then, add boneless chicken thighs to the inner pot.

Spices over chicken thighs in an Instant Pot.

Step 3: After the chicken has been placed in the inner pot, add the peppers and seasonings.

Pouring yogurt and broth mixture over chicken thighs in an Instant Pot.

Step 4: In a small bowl, combine your tomato paste, Greek yogurt, and broth. Mix well. Then, pour it over your chicken.

Step 5: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the pot. Pressure cook for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Naturally release for 15 minutes and then serve with your favorite sides. We love to serve our chicken thighs with mashed potatoes.

Hint: Natural Release for Juicy Chicken Thighs: After pressure cooking, let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure for 10-15 minutes before doing a quick release. This helps the chicken retain moisture and stay tender and juicy.

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

Select Bone-In, Skin-On Thighs: For the juiciest results, choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bone helps to keep the meat moist, and the skin provides flavor and protects the meat from drying out during cooking.
Sear Before Pressure Cooking: Use the sauté function to sear the chicken thighs skin-side down first until the skin is crispy. This not only improves texture but also adds a rich flavor to the chicken. Flip and sear on the other side briefly before proceeding with pressure cooking.
Use a Trivet: To prevent the chicken from becoming too soggy, place a trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange the seared chicken thighs on top. This keeps them elevated above the liquid, allowing them to steam rather than boil.
Add Flavorful Liquid: Pour a flavorful liquid into the pot, such as chicken broth, along with herbs like thyme or rosemary and garlic. This creates a steamy environment that infuses the chicken with delicious flavors and helps keep it moist.
Pressure Cook Correctly: Cook the chicken thighs on high pressure for about 10 minutes. This is typically enough time for bone-in thighs to become fully cooked, tender, and juicy.
Natural Pressure Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 5 minutes before doing a quick release. This gradual process helps retain the juices inside the chicken, making it more tender.
Broil After Cooking: If you desire extra crispy skin, place the cooked chicken thighs under a broiler for a few minutes after pressure cooking. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

💭 FAQs

Do I Have To Use Chicken Thighs?

For this recipe, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I prefer dark meat to white meat as I feel its more flavorful and juicy. However, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer! Or, any other type of boneless, skinless chicken.

Can I Cook Frozen Thighs In The Instant Pot?

Absolutely! However, when cooking frozen chicken thighs in your Instant Pot, you will need to increase the pressure cooking time. Instead of setting the pressure cook setting for 10 minutes, you will need to set it for 15 minutes to cook frozen chicken thighs right through.

Best Way to Store Chicken Thighs

To store chicken thighs, allow them to cool to room temperature after cooking. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store them for longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chicken Thighs:

What sides can I serve with this chicken thighs recipe.

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More Delicious Chicken Recipes

Like I said, chicken is one of the most versatile foods you can make. You can transform it into Chinese food, Mexican food, or anything you desire. Here are a few of my other favorite chicken recipes in the Instant Pot:

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

About Angela Milnes

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