How to Cook Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot
There are many ways to cook chicken thighs in Instant Pot and one of my favorite methods is to brown and saute the chicken thighs using the Saute function and then pressure cooked using Manual function.
There is no need to use trivet, but you will need at least 1/2 cup of liquid to create the steam to pressure cook the chicken thighs.
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Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Time
The time you need to cook chicken thighs depends on whether or not the chicken is boneless or bone-in.
For organic boneless and skinless chicken thighs, I usually pressure cook on High for 5-6 minutes in the Instant Pot. Organic chicken thighs are smaller in size and 5 minutes is just perfect as you don’t want the chicken meat to be too tender. If your chicken thighs are bigger, increase the cook time by 1 minute.
For bone-in chicken thighs, I pressure cook on High for 6-8 minutes. The total time depends on the size of the chicken thighs as some chicken thighs can be very big so it takes longer time to become soft and tender.
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken in Instant Pot?
The answer is yes. If you use frozen chicken straight from the freezer, just add extra 2 minutes pressure cooking time. I must warn you that for the best texture and flavor of the chicken, it’s best you thaw them before pressure cooking.
Creamy Garlic Sauce
One of the best sauces to go with chicken in the Instant Pot is the creamy garlic sauce. You can’t go wrong with the rich and delicious garlic sauce, which is made with only 5 simple ingredients:
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy whipping cream
- Bottled Grated Parmesan cheese such as Kraft
- Salt
This recipe is absolutely delicious, with a mouthwatering rich, creamy and savory sauce. The chicken thighs are so tender, juicy and moist. The rosemary infuses the sauce with intense aroma.
This is going to be the most delicious chicken dinner you’ll make in an Instant Pot!
What Dishes to Serve with this Recipe?
This meal is best served with a side of skillet garlic bread (use the bread to sop up the creamy sauce), easy spaghetti or cilantro lime rice. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe is only 366 calories per serving.
Pairs well with:
Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
Skinless and boneless Instant Pot chicken thighs with a rich and creamy garlic sauce. This recipe takes only 5 minutes in the pressure cooker, so easy to make and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. skinless and boneless chicken thighs, trimmed off the fat
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 3 tablespoons Kraft grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- 1
Trim off the excess fat on the chicken thighs with a pair of kitchen scissors. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- 2
Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is fully heated (to make sure the chicken doesn’t stick to the pot), add the olive oil. Pan sear and brown the chicken thighs until both sides turn slightly brown. (You may pan-fry the chicken on a regular skillet or non-stick skillet.)
- 3
Add the garlic, rosemary and chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Sprinkle the paprika on the chicken thighs. Cover the pot and select Manual and set to High pressure for 5 minutes.
- 4
When it beeps, turn to Quick Release. When the valve drops, remove the cover carefully, add the heavy whipping cream, salt and grated Parmesan cheese, stir to mix well. Turn to Saute mode for a few minutes to reduce the sauce to a thicker consistency. Add more salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
I used a 6-quart Instant Pot.
After pressure cooking, the garlic will become soft and mushy, infusing the creamy sauce with amazing garlicky flavor.
You may use chicken breasts. If you use frozen chicken, increase the pressure cooking time by 2 minutes. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs on a stove top. Just pan-fry the chicken on a skillet and follow the same method above. Simmer on low heat until the chicken thighs are cooked through and the sauce is reduced.
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Karen
Hi Bee,
Been cooking your recipes for a while now and love them.
I am wondering what can I use as an alternative to parmesan cheese? I hate the taste of cheese but would like the thicker consistency in the sauce that the parm cheese would provide. You actually use cheese a bit in your other recipes too and I used to just leave it out but realized the sauce is always so watery. Please let me know what you recommend as a cheese substitute, thank you!!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Karen, thanks for trying my recipes. If you don’t like Parmesan cheese, you can saute the sauce a little longer to thicken it up. I don’t use all purpose flour to thicken the sauce, I think it just tastes gross.
Mary Bostow
This looks so easy to make and it makes my mouth water! This could easily be a quick and delicious family dinner idea! I can’t wait to get my instant pot going.
Ann Crisp
I wonder if it is possible to cook rice with this? When would you add it, and how much liquid?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes you can use Instant Pot to cook rice.
Sokie
hi what can you substitute for the heavy cream since I don’t have any? half and half or milk ok? thanks! Sokie
June
Thank you, the recipe was delicious. I like using the instant pot for cooking chicken; it comes out so tender and flavorful. I grow rosemary in the garden, love adding it to chicken dishes.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi June, yes rosemary will make the chicken even better.
Robin
Hi. We are dairy free. Do you think coconut milk (full fat) would work well as a sub for heavy whipping cream? I will use nutritional yeast as sub for parm.
Let me know. Thanks.
Rasa Malaysia
I think coconut milk should work for this instant pot chicken thighs recipe.
Janet
I gave up on those green cylinders years ago–packaged grated parm tastes better, has a decent shelf life in the fridge, can be frozen, and is still inexpensive as it is often on sale for about $2 for a 5 oz pouch. I often dump some on a cutting board and chop the shreds a bit. This is an absolutely delicious dish–I used boneless chicken breasts (at $1.95 per lb, cheaper than thighs in my part of the world). I cut them into 3 smaller pieces, since they come from my butcher at about 1 lb each. I also cooked them completely on the stove top and it still only took 20 minutes. The garlic cloves would have done better with pressure cooking, but were still soft and delicious.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Janet, sure use real Parm if you have it. Yes this is a delicious recipe!