Instant Pot bone-in chicken thighs make for a simple and healthy dinner idea that your children will surely love. This recipe utilizes a flavorful combination of broth and spices to enhance the taste of the chicken thighs, which are then given a final touch of crispiness through a quick broil in the oven.
In case you did not know, we LOVE to cook with chicken thighs and use the Instant Pot to make healthy dinner meals. We decided to combine our two favorites and create Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs. This recipe is flavorful, simple & kid-approved.
Cooking chicken thighs in the instant pot is a great alternative to oven-baked or slow-cooker chicken. It adds variety to the menu and is a speedy cooking method.
Plus, you will have tender and juicy chicken every time whether cooking the chicken from fresh or frozen.
We tend to purchase fresh bone-in chicken thighs for all our recipes because of the great price. However, you can absolutely buy fresh boneless chicken thighs or skinless chicken thighs and follow the same instructions to create this recipe in under 30 minutes.
Everyone enjoys Air Fry Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs and Greek Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, we know this chicken thigh recipe will be a hit too!
Related: A Beginners Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Your Instant Pot & How To Use An Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs ✅
- 12 ounces beer or 12 oz. broth Use gluten-free beer if needed✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon paprika ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Prepare the Instant Pot:
Start by setting up your Instant Pot. Place the rack that came with the Instant Pot at the bottom of the inner pot. This rack is essential for elevating the chicken, allowing it to cook evenly as the steam circulates.
Arrange the Chicken:
Take the bone-in chicken thighs and arrange them on the rack inside the Instant Pot. This positioning helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom and allows for even cooking.
Add Liquid:
Enhance the flavor and moisture of the chicken by pouring either 12 ounces of beer or 12 oz. of broth over the chicken. The liquid will infuse the meat with additional taste and ensure a succulent outcome.
Season the Chicken:
Sprinkle the chicken with a blend of seasonings to elevate its taste profile. Generously apply 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. This combination of spices creates a harmonious blend that will permeate the chicken during cooking.
Set Instant Pot and Cook:
Securely place the cover on the Instant Pot, ensuring it is set to sealing to create a pressurized cooking environment. Cook the chicken on high pressure for 20 minutes. After cooking, you can choose between a natural release or a quick release, depending on your preference.
Achieve Crispy Skin:
For those who crave crispy skin, transfer the cooked chicken thighs onto a baking sheet. Lightly brush the skin with oil and broil for approximately 3 minutes or until the skin crisps and achieves a delectable golden brown color. This extra step adds a delightful texture to the dish.
Prepare Optional Gravy:
If you desire a flavorful gravy to accompany the chicken, set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. In a separate bowl, blend 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water to create a smooth mixture. Whisk this mixture into the sauce left behind in the Instant Pot after removing the chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
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. Make sure to select a gluten-free beer or use chicken broth to keep this recipe gluten-free.
You can also substitute the beer for chicken or vegetable broth. This is a great option if you have a young chef at home making this recipe for the family.
We like to make homemade gravy to drizzle over the top of the chicken thighs for extra flavor. It is also a great way to use the liquid on the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are great to serve for any weekday dinner when you need a quick and easy dinner idea. You can serve with gluten-free pasta, potatoes, rice, vegetables or your preferred side dish.
Our favorite is serving with mashed potatoes and drizzling the gravy over both the chicken and potatoes. It is absolutely delicious! We add a vegetable to the table to make a complete meal that the whole family loves.
- Microwave Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potato
- Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
- Basmati Rice (Instant Pot)
- Quinoa Instant Pot
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Marination: For even more flavor, consider marinating the chicken thighs before placing them in the Instant Pot. You can marinate them in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight with a mixture of herbs, citrus, and your favorite spices.
- Searing for Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor, sear the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot using the sauté function before pressure cooking. Searing helps develop a rich color and deep flavor on the surface of the chicken.
- Use Fresh Herbs: If available, add fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the Instant Pot before cooking. Fresh herbs can impart a vibrant, aromatic essence to the dish.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Don’t hesitate to experiment with different seasonings based on your preferences. Smoked paprika, cumin, or dried herbs like oregano can add unique and exciting flavors to the dish.
- Customize the Liquid: Instead of beer or broth, try using wine, apple juice, or a combination of different liquids to add complexity to the cooking liquid.
- Adjust Cooking Time: If using a different cut of chicken or adjusting the quantity, be mindful of the cooking time. Larger pieces may require a few extra minutes, while smaller pieces might need less time.
- Natural Release vs. Quick Release: The choice between natural release and quick release can impact the texture of the chicken. Natural release allows the pressure to decrease gradually, potentially yielding even more tender results. Quick release is ideal if you’re short on time.
- Gravy Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the gravy by controlling the amount of cornstarch-water mixture added. For a thicker gravy, add more; for a thinner consistency, use less.
Frequently Asked Questions
We cover how to cook chicken thighs with the instant pot and slow cooker in this post, but you can also cook thighs by boiling, air frying, baking in the oven and cooking on the stovetop.
Leftover chicken thigh meat can be shredded from the bone and used in recipes such as tacos, burritos, nachos, soups, casseroles, sandwiches and salads. Our top three favorite ways to serve leftover chicken is in our Gluten Free Chicken Casserole, Cast Iron Shredded Chicken Nachos and Oven Baked Chicken Tacos.
For fresh chicken thighs, you will cook under high pressure for 20 minutes. It is best to use the manual setting instead of the poultry setting on the instant pot so you can adjust the time accordingly. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs.
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.
Can I make bone-in chicken thighs in the crockpot?
If you do not currently own an Instant Pot, do not worry. This recipe can be made in your slow cooker in 4 easy steps.
- Place chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Use 6 oz. of beer or broth and sprinkle spices on top.
- Cook HIGH heat for 2-4 hours or LOW heat for 6-8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- For crispy skin, place chicken thighs onto a boiling sheet, brush with oil, and broil for 4 minutes or until the skin crisps and starts to brown. Serve immediately!
Storing Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
In the fridge: Cooled chicken thighs can be stored up to 3 days in the fridge in a covered container. The thighs can be stored as is or the meat can be shredded from the bone.
In the freezer: Place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat within the next 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
The chicken can be reheated by any of the methods below or enjoyed chilled.
Microwave: Place chicken in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in 30-second increments until hot. It can be helpful to add a splash of broth to the bowl to keep the chicken moist.
Skillet: Place the chicken thighs or shredded chicken on the stovetop over low heat until hot.
Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees then place chicken in a baking dish to heat for 10-12 minutes or until hot.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Wash your hands frequently when handling raw chicken to practice food safety skills.
- Make sure the chicken is covered with broth and seasoning before securing the lid.
- If using bone-in chicken thighs, place under the broiler after cooking to crisp the skin.
- Use a meat thermometer to temp the internal temperature (it should be 165 degrees) of the chicken prior to serving.
Top Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Colcannon
- Instant Pot Chicken Stew
- Instant Pot Shredded Tacos
- Instant Pot Taco Soup
- Instant Pot Green Beans
- Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Sweet Potatoes In Instant Pot
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs ✅
- 12 ounces beer or 12 oz. broth Use gluten-free beer if needed✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon paprika ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place ingredient into the instant pot. Place the rack that came with the instant pot into the bottom. Place chicken on top of the rack. Pour beer or broth over chicken. Sprinkle seasonings over chicken.8 bone-in chicken thighs, 12 ounces beer or 12 oz. broth, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- ⭐️Cook. Place the cover on the instant pot and make sure it's set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. You can do a natural release or a quick release.
- ⭐️Broil for crispy skin. For crispy skin, place chicken thighs onto a baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and broil for 3 minutes or until the skin crisps and starts to brown. Serve immediately after broiling.
Optional Gravy:
- ⭐️Turn Instant Pot to saute.
- ⭐️Blend 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Whisk the mixture into the sauce left behind after the chicken is removed from the instant pot. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently until sauce starts to thicken. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Video
Notes
Crockpot Instructions:
- Place chicken into the bottom of the crockpot.
- Use 6 oz. of beer or broth and sprinkle spices on top.
- Cook High heat for 2-4 hours or low 6-8 hours and until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- For crispy skin, place chicken thighs onto a baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and broil for 3 minutes or until the skin crisps and starts to brown. Serve immediately after broiling.
Nutrition
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Heidi says
I can’t wait to try these out! I’ve made them in the slow cooker, but not instant pot.
Jessica A says
My family loved this recipe!
Sarah says
The chicken thighs came out moist and tasty. I think the stated cooking time is a little too long because after a 5 minute natural release the internal temperature was 200 degrees. I used beer. I didn’t broil them afterwards. I’ll probably make it again if I’m in a hurry and short of ingredients that may be called for in a more complicated recipe.