Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs

Name: Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 frozen bone-in chicken thighs (✅); 12 ounces chicken broth (✅); 1 teaspoon garlic powder (✅); 1 teaspoon onion powder (✅); 1 teaspoon cumin (✅); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

By: Jodi / Published on April 8, 2019 Updated on August 31, 2023 / 27 Comments

Instant pot frozen chicken thighs are cooked from frozen 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!

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Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs cook to perfection in just 30 minutes. This easy to make frozen chicken thighs instant pot recipe is a great way to turn frozen or fresh chicken into a delicious and satisfying meal in no time at all!

Do you ever have those nights when you realize that you forgot to plan ahead for dinner? This pressure cooker frozen chicken is going to be a lifesaver! In under 30 minutes, you can transform frozen chicken into a hot & tasty dinner meal. Don’t have an instant pot? Learn How to Boil Chicken Thighs with our simple tutorial for juicy tender chicken in just 45 minutes.

Ingredients

8 frozen bone-in chicken thighs ✅
12 ounces chicken broth ✅
1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
1 teaspoon cumin ✅
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Substitutions

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

chicken thighs, broth and spices on countertop

How to Make

Place the rack that came with the Instant Pot into the bottom.
Place frozen chicken on top of the rack. They will be on an angle if frozen together, that’s just fine.
Pour broth over chicken.
Sprinkle seasonings over chicken.
Place the cover on the Instant Pot and make sure it is set to sealing.
Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
You can do a natural release or a quick release.
For crispy skin, place chicken thighs onto a baking sheet, brush lightly with oil and broil for 3 minutes or until the skin crips and starts to brown. Serve immediately after broiling.

Start by placing the rack that came with your Instant Pot in the bottom of the pot. Then, add your frozen chicken thighs.

PRO TIP: If the chicken thighs are frozen together, set them on an angle in the Instant Pot. They will cook just fine!

Next, add the broth & spices.

spices mixed together in small glass bowl

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

close up view of chicken thighs in instant pot

SHOULD I USE NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR) OR QUICK RELEASE (QR)?

NPR is when you let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturally. The pressure will release slowly & the lid will unlock when the float valve drops completely. With QR, you manually turn the valve from “SEALING” to “VENTING”, which will let the pressure go quickly. Be cautious with QR because the steam will shoot out of the top.

For this recipe, I often use quick release because I do not want to wait for the natural pressure release. However, either release option will work.

DO YOU ALWAYS BROIL THE CHICKEN AFTER COOKING?

Yes – I highly recommend placing the chicken thighs onto a baking sheet, brushing lightly with oil, and broiling for 3 minutes or until the skin crips and starts to brown. You won’t be disappointed, trust me 🙂

DO YOU ADD A SAUCE TO THE CHICKEN?

Honestly, it depends on the night and my family’s request. I will either drizzle a sauce on top of the chicken thighs or serve on the side. I love to turn this recipe into a BBQ chicken pressure cooker recipe by tossing the cooked chicken in a Homemade BBQ Sauce.

Expert Tips

Safety First: Always make sure to follow Instant Pot safety guidelines. Ensure the sealing ring is properly installed, the steam release valve is closed, and the lid is securely in place before starting the cooking process.
Properly Arrange Chicken: When placing the frozen chicken on the rack, try to arrange them so they’re not overly stacked on top of each other. This can help ensure even cooking and better results.
Deglazing: After placing the chicken on the rack and seasoning, consider briefly sautéing the spices in the Instant Pot using the “Sauté” function with a bit of oil. This can help release their flavors and prevent any sticking before you add the chicken and broth.
Natural Release: While the recipe suggests using a quick release, you can also opt for a natural release after the cooking time is complete. This can help keep the chicken moist and tender by allowing it to slowly depressurize.
Broiling Techniques: When broiling the chicken for crispy skin, keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. The skin can crisp up quickly under the broiler, so monitor the process closely.
Flavor Variations: Feel free to customize the spice blend based on your preferences. You can add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or paprika for additional flavor layers.
Serving Suggestions: Consider serving the cooked chicken thighs with a fresh salad, steamed vegetables, or a side of rice or potatoes to complete the meal.

FAQ

Can you cook frozen chicken in an instant pot?

Yes! This recipe is the perfect example of how to cook frozen chicken in your instant pot, quickly and easily!

How long do you pressure-cook frozen chicken?

For frozen chicken thighs, cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.

Is it safe to cook frozen chicken?

Yes, it is safe to cook frozen chicken. You want to cook the chicken through (165°F) within 4 hours. The instant pot is a quick way of cooking frozen chicken.

What is the best way to cook frozen chicken?

The quickest way to cook frozen chicken is in the instant pot.

Is it better to cook chicken frozen or thawed?

Neither method is better than the other, but cooking thawed chicken with always be quicker.

How would you change the cook time if they were frozen boneless thighs?

Boneless chicken takes less time to cook so you would cutting the time 5-10 minutes. Be sure to check the temp of the chicken to ensure it’s properly cooked (165°F).

Can I use water in place of chicken broth if I leave the skin on?

Yes, you can use water in place of chicken broth. You could also swap with any other broth or even beer – all give a slightly different flavor. If you use water, you might need to add a little extra salt.

If I half this recipe do I need to half the cooking time and amount of broth?

You could bring the broth down to 8 oz, but not less. You need at least a cup of liquid for cooking in the instant pot. Keep the cooking time the same if cooking from frozen.

How To Make Frozen Chicken Thighs In The Crockpot

Place chicken into the bottom of the crockpot.
Use 6 oz. of broth and sprinkle spices on top.
Cook on high heat for 4-6 hours or until the 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 crips and starts to brown. Serve immediately after broiling.

Side Dish Ideas

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.

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