Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
A delicious, easy-to-make chicken thigh recipe that is packed full of flavor. These Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce and are ready in only 30 minutes!
These Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are the perfect weeknight recipe. The skin-on chicken thighs along with the garlic butter sauce create a moist, irresistible flavor. It also only requires 5 minutes of prep time and can be ready in 30 minutes. Better yet, the rich garlic butter flavor goes well with so many flavor combinations. This recipe can be served with an assortment of sides. For this reason, this chicken thigh recipe has become one of our favorites for those busy weeknights when we are going through the pantry trying to make a dinner decision at the last minute.
There are many ways to prepare chicken thighs but the pressure cooker is our new favorite. Instant pot recipes are quick, easy, and require minimal cleanup afterward. No more spending 30 minutes cleaning up the kitchen after finishing dinner! This recipe is also keto-friendly and would be perfect to pair with a keto or low-carb side dish like these Keto Dinner Rolls or Mashed Cauliflower. It is also a great option for you meal preppers. This dish tastes great on its own, but you can also shred the chicken and add it to a salad or pasta.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- KETO-FRIENDLY – This low-carb recipe is the perfect dish for those on a keto or low-carb diet.
- EASY – Requires only 5 minutes of prep time and requires minimal cleanup afterward.
- INEXPENSIVE – This recipe’s ingredients are inexpensive, pantry staples.
- VERSATILE- Pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
Garlic Butter Chicken Thigh Ingredients
As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. For the complete, printable recipe scroll to the recipe card below.
- Spices: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper
- Chicken thighs: bone-in, and skin-on: Skin-on chicken thighs provide the best flavor
- Butter: I use unsalted butter since salt is already used in this recipe, but salted butter works, you may just want to cut back on the additional sodium called for in this recipe.
- Chicken broth: We used Pacific chicken broth
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need an Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker. A 6-quart Instant Pot fits four bone-in chicken thighs nicely. If you are new to this machine, don’t worry, it is easier than it seems! I have documented the entire process below.
Season and Sear Chicken
In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then remove the chicken from the fridge, and pat dry with paper towels. It is important to dry the chicken to get a great sear! Season on all sides with the seasoning mixture and set aside.
In your Instant Pot, heat the butter using the saute function. Add the chicken thighs, and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken, and sear the other side for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and press cancel on your Instant Pot. Searing the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes is very important. Otherwise, the chicken will not completely cook through.
Add the Chicken Broth
Carefully add the chicken broth to the pot. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. This deglazes the pan and will make the sauce you serve with the chicken super flavorful, but it also helps to prevent the burn message during the cooking process.
Cook the Chicken
Place the trivet handle-side up into the pot, and place the chicken skin side up in a single layer onto the trivet. Then close the lid and turn the venting knob to “sealing”. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Remember, it will take about 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to the correct pressure. It will then begin to count down from 15 minutes.
Once 15 minutes is complete, allow for a 5-minute natural release. Release the pressure using the venting knob, and remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. If you have particularly large chicken thighs, I would recommend pressure cooking for 18 minutes.
Serve
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then serve! This is truly a blend of flavors that go well with basically any side dish. You can serve it with roasted vegetables or a great salad. Some of my favorite side dish recipes include:
- Keto Three Cheese Biscuits: These Keto Three Cheese Biscuits are perfectly soft and fluffy! Each low carb biscuit is loaded with sharp cheddar, mozzarella and fresh basil for just 2 net carbs each!
- Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole: This ultra rich Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is the perfect low carb, keto-friendly side dish!
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower: Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower is perfectly seasoned and roasted until crisp and full of flavor! Each serving has about 3 net carbs, making it an excellent keto cauliflower side dish!
- One Pan Chipotle Potatoes: Quick and easy One Pan Chipotle Potatoes! This is the perfect sweet and spicy side dish to mix up your dinner routine!
- Sweet Potato Fries: These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are an easy, delicious, and healthier alternative to traditional French fries. These sweet potato fries only require a few ingredients and can be ready in 20 minutes or less!
Storage and Reheating
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can reheat the chicken thighs by placing them in a microwave-safe container and warming them in 30-second increments until done. Alternatively, if you prefer an air fryer preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees for 3 minutes. Place the chicken in the preheated air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. Depending on your air fryer you may want to flip the chicken during the process.
Tips & Tricks
- For extra flavor, pour the reserved liquid from the bottom of the Instant Pot over the chicken.
- If you need to double this recipe, I would recommend doing so in batches to ensure properly cooked chicken.
- To make a savory gravy, save some of the liquid for later. It can be used to make a delicious gravy you can add to other meals.
Recipe FAQ
No, for this recipe you will use the saute function to sear the meat and the pressure cook function to cook the meat completely.
Yes, you can freeze this recipe after it has cooled completely. Store in an airtight container up to 3 months. To thaw remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
Yes, if using fresh (not frozen) boneless thighs you will need to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Once the cooking time has ended allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes.
A 6-quart Instant Pot fits four bone in chicken thighs nicely.
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free.
Yes, this recipe is naturally low carb and keto-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the fridge, and pat dry with paper towels. Season on all sides with the Italian seasoning mixture and set aside.
- In your Instant Pot, heat the butter using the saute function. Add the chicken thighs, and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken, and sear the other side for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and press cancel on your Instant Pot.
- Carefully add the chicken broth to the pot. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Place the trivet handle-side up into the pot, and place the chicken skin side up in a single layer onto the trivet.
- Close the lid and turn the venting knob to “sealing”. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
- Once 15 minutes is complete, allow for a 5-minute natural release. Release the pressure using the venting knob, and remove the chicken from the Instant Pot. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then serve!
Notes
- It’s important to sear for 4-5 minutes on each side, otherwise, the chicken does not completely cook through. If you have particularly large chicken thighs, I would recommend pressure cooking for 18 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. This chicken tastes amazing on its own, but it’s also great shredded on salads and in pasta.
- Pour the reserved liquid from the bottom of the Instant Pot over the chicken for extra flavor!
- If you need to double this recipe, I would recommend doing so in batches to ensure properly cooked chicken.
