These Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes are quick, easy, flavorful, and tender. From BBQ to teriyaki and lemon garlic, there is a chicken thigh recipe for everyone to enjoy.
WHY COOK WITH CHICKEN THIGHS
There are a few protein options I almost always have handy, hanging out in the freezer. Among those are chicken thighs. Most recipes using chicken breast can be made using thighs too which makes them incredibly versatile. Better yet, they’re packed with flavor with a little extra fat that goes a long way.
They are still a healthy choice – especially if you remove the skin – are great for those on a budget. Chicken thighs are often significantly cheaper than chicken breasts and serve approximately the same purpose.
Some recipes work especially well with thighs, and they couldn’t be easier to make than in your pressure cooker.
Enjoy some of our top picks of Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes and for how to use them in one-pot meals for easy weeknight dinners. Oh, and these recipes are fantastic for batch cooking and meal prep to meet your protein needs throughout the week!
Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes
1. Instant Pot Chicken Thighs With Honey Lemon Glaze
With a slightly sour tang from fresh lemon juice and slices and a sweet layer from delectable and decadent raw honey, this blend really jazzes up plain chicken thighs. This one is a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and it’s sure to be a hit with the kids. These also make a great addition to your weekly meal prep routine. Get the recipe on our blog.
2. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Stew
If you’re looking for a one-pot meal using chicken thighs, look no further. Mushrooms and chicken pair up for a hearty and meaty filling in this stewed dish tossed with sour cream after cooking to make it oh-so-creamy and quite dreamy. This is a crowd-pleasing recipe that can also be adapted for a paleo diet as there is a dairy-free alternative. Get the recipe on our blog.
3. INSTANT POT CHICKEN FRICASSEE
A traditional French stew made with browned chicken pieces braised in a delicious, creamy white mushroom sauce. The sauce is heavenly and the dish is rustic comfort food at its best. Get the recipe on our blog.
4. Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki
Succulent, tender chicken coated in sticky-sweet honey soy sauce served over rice, noodles or vegetables is always a big hit with the kids and grownups. Get the recipe on our blog.
5. Instant Pot Moroccan chicken stew With Olives & Potatoes
With incredible variety, beautiful spices and unique flavor combinations of savory and sweet, you can make Moroccan dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen. The combination of salty (olives), sweet (dried apricots) and sour (lemon) is a winning trio that is quite common in Moroccan dishes. Get the recipe on our blog.
6. Instant Pot butter chicken
This heavenly, creamy curry highlights the robust flavours of Kashmiri chile, dried fenugreek leaves, and garam masala. Served with classic basmati rice and naan, this dish evokes excitement on any menu. Get the recipe on our blog.
7. Instant Pot Chicken Paprika
Chicken paprika or paprikás csirke is a staple in Hungarian cuisine. It’s a creamy chicken stew with crème fraîche or sour cream, onion, peas, and of course, plenty of fresh paprika that lends its vibrant red color to each and every bite. It’s perfect for serving with a fresh cucumber salad that you can prepare while this cooks. It’s dinner-ready in just 35 minutes of prep time and cooking time total. Get the recipe on our blog.
8. BRAISED CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO
This Instant Pot chicken scarpariello recipe is a pressure cooker version of the American-Italian classic dish made with poultry and sweet and sour sauce of pickled roasted red peppers and rosemary. This sensational dish can be served over your favorite pasta, polenta, rice or vegetables. Get the recipe on our blog.
9. Instant Pot Japanese Chicken Curry
This simple homemade recipe is made from scratch rather than using ready-made boxed curry and is super delicious. We used chicken thighs and breast, carrots, and potatoes but you can make a vegetarian/vegan version as well. Get the recipe on our blog.
10. Easy Thai Chicken Curry
In a hurry? Just make this Thai chicken curry. A coconut broth base, tender veggies that you can customize to what you have in the fridge, and chicken thighs make the bulk of this dish. Top it off with some fresh lime and cilantro for the best results. It’s spicy, creamy, and downright awesome – trust me! Get the recipe on our blog.
11. Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma
This paleo-friendly and Whole30-approved take on chicken shawarma is sure to be a winner. The recipe uses a blend of both chicken thighs and chicken breast for the best results. After that, it’s all about the spices! Get this on the table in just 25 minutes. Serve with pita if you’d like, or sweet potatoes and veggies if you’re keeping it grain-free. Don’t forget a generous topping of tahini sauce on top. Recipe from Little Bits Of.
12. BBQ Pulled Chicken
Who doesn’t love a good pile of pulled BBQ meat? It’s finger-lickin’ good every time. Often, we make pulled pork, but pulled chicken is quite underrated. Case in point? These buns piled high with the stuff! This recipe is as effortless as it gets when you make it in the IP with easy-to-shred chicken every time. Use your favorite BBQ sauce whether it’s store-bought or homemade for the best results. The only downside is this won’t last long! Recipe from The Black Peppercorn.
13. Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken
The variety you can achieve with chicken thighs is truly outstanding. This gluten-free recipe is made with sugar snap peas, red bell pepper, onion, soy sauce, fresh ginger, and red chili flakes for a veggie-packed meal that you can make as spicy (or not spicy) as you want. Serve over cauliflower rice or rice noodles for a full meal. P.S. this one only takes 20 minutes from start to finish! Recipe from Gluten Free Pressure Cooker.
14. Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
One look at this gorgeous glaze will have you drooling! A blend of honey, garlic, and soy sauce injects massive flavour into these juicy chicken thighs for a fantastic treat with an Asian flair. These chicken thighs pair perfectly with a bowl of white rice and steamed broccoli, or make an awesome addition to noodle bowls. You can use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos to make this one paleo-friendly too. Oh, and cook time is just 20 minutes! Recipe from Diethood.
15. Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
What would this roundup be without a good chicken soup recipe? Well, here you have it. Whether or not you have a cold, this soup stands out. Best of all, this recipe uses gluten-free noodles which can be a tricky ingredient to get right in your Instant Pot. This one is healthy, hearty, allergen-friendly, and quick. It’s also freezer-friendly, so stock up and make a double batch. Recipe from Oatmeal With A Fork.
16. General Tso’s Chicken
Now, for everyone’s favourite chicken recipe! Ordering Chinese food is nothing without an order of General Tso’s, but it isn’t exactly healthy. Making it at home gives you more control over the ingredients and you can choose natural sweeteners to get the flavour just right without relying on tons of sugar and MSG. This is the perfect dish to serve with some pre-cooked rice and fresh steamed veggies. Recipe from Sweet & Savory Meals.
17. Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
Ditch the sodium-laden 50-cent packages for some real deal stuff that feels authentic, and dare I say kinda healthy. This soup is packed with hearty chicken broth, perfectly cooked ramen noodles, chicken thighs, veggies and flavourful additions like chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. Top it off with some soft-boiled eggs (which you can also make in your IP) and fresh lime for the best results. Recipe from Fox & Briar.
18. Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is commonly served with pasta, but it’s great over spaghetti squash or zoodles for a lightened up grain-free version. This healthy dish is full of Italian flair featuring chicken thighs stewed with tomatoes, red and green peppers, and onions for a delicious meal done in a total of 35 minutes. Recipe from Skinnytaste.
19. Instant Pot Greek Chicken Thighs
Artichoke hearts, roasted and marinated red bell peppers, olives, and fresh herbs bring home that unique flavor. Give it a squeeze of fresh lemon to serve, and don’t forget the crumbled feta cheese on top. This is a great main dish to serve with fresh salad. The recipe also includes an adaptation for the slow cooker. Recipe from Wholesomelicious.
20. Jamaican Jerk Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
While this dish is generally prepared on a grill, you can easily adapt that to your Instant Pot for easy, hands-off prep. Fresh Creole seasoning and spicy jalapenos give this dish a seriously addictive kick. Recipe from Stay Snatched.
21. INSTANT POT CHICKEN THIGHS AND POTATOES
Incredible flavor, containing the juiciest chicken, buttery tender potatoes cooked in a herby buttery garlicky thin sauce. Recipe from Foodies Terminal.
22. INSTANT POT GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN
This is what you make when you need an unplanned, quick, and easy chicken dinner. Super juicy and delicious glazed chicken thighs to serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen.
23. INSTANT POT SHREDDED CHICKEN THIGHS
This recipe will help you make quick and easy moist, tender, and juicy chicken that you can use for meal prep ready for the week. Recipe from Bites Of Wellness.
24. INSTANT POT CHICKEN ADOBO
A Filipino comfort food made with chicken thighs. Tender thighs coated in a sweet and savory glaze with a kick of heat from black peppercorns taste absolutely delicious. Recipe from Dinners, Dishes, And Desserts.
25. INSTANT POT CHICKEN IN CREAMY TOMATO SAUCE
The tomato sauce is so creamy, buttery, tangy with a hint of sweetness to it. The sauce is perfect to toss some pasta in it or keep it simple and serve the chicken with a side of greens. Recipe from The Flavours Of Kitchen.
We hope you love these recipes and have so many new ideas for using chicken thighs. Let us know which ones you’re looking forward to trying the most in the comments, and make sure to share this with your Instant Pot pals!
I am just starting with my instant pot. The recipe I I used said that homemade taco sauce was better than that you buy. However no recipe for homemade taco sauce. where do I find it?
https://instantpoteats.com/instant-pot-taco-meat/