Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Use this technique to make perfectly seasoned, juicy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs using fresh, frozen, bone-in, or boneless chicken thighs.

When it comes to cooking perfectly cooked, tender, juicy chicken you can count on the Instant Pot to deliver perfect results.

From Instant Pot Chicken Breasts to Instant Pot Whole Chicken, to Instant Pot Chicken Wings to Instant Pot Chicken Thighs, an electric pressure cooker cooks FRESH or FROZEN with ease. 

And when following my tried and tested instant pot recipes, you can count on perfection. 

Made with a simple spice blend, Instant Pot Chicken Thighs is a ridiculously simple recipe that delivers flavor fast! There are even directions that will ensure you enjoy crispy skin--if you aren't cooking skinless chicken thighs. 

Whether serving with a side of Roasted Red Potatoes or using in a recipe that calls for cooked chicken, Instant Pot Chicken Thighs is one of the easiest ways to prepare chicken thighs.

Notes on Ingredients & Equipment

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless chicken thighs all work for this recipe, but there will need to be adjustments made to the cooking time. The recipe card provides the timing to ensure perfectly cooked chicken for each variation of chicken thighs. 
• Smoked Paprika: Feel free to use regular paprika if you don't have smoked paprika on hand. 
• Dried Thyme Leaves: I love the slight citrus flavor that thyme leaves add to the chicken thighs. Feel free to omit this seasoning from the spice blend. Just be sure to use thyme leaves NOT ground thyme. 
• Oil: If you plan to sear your chicken thighs to achieve crispy skin, you will need to use either olive or canola oil. 
• Instant Pot: This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs will work with any brand or size of an electric pressure cooker. 
• Trivet: It is best to cook the chicken thighs ABOVE the water to keep their skin crispy and/or allow the spice blend to adhere to the chicken thighs.

How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot

Don't be overwhelmed by the steps, this is an extremely easy recipe to make, but I have broken down the process in detail so you can pressure cook perfect Instant Pot Chicken Thighs regardless of your experience using an electric pressure cooker.

Step One: Season Chicken Thighs

Regardless of what type of chicken thighs you use for this recipe, you will want to start this recipe by seasoning your chicken liberally with the seasoning.

• In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and thyme leaves until well combined.
• Trim excess fat or grizzle off the chicken thighs and then pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the chicken thighs, rubbing the spice blend into the chicken to adhere. Be sure to season both sides of the chicken.

Step Two: Saute Chicken Thighs

Sauteing your chicken thighs is OPTIONAL and MUST BE skipped if you are preparing frozen chicken thighs. But I highly recommend searing skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and crispy skin. I even recommend searing skinless chicken thighs for texture and flavor.

• Turn the saute function on the Instant pot and add in the oil. Let the oil heat until glistening.
• Once the oil has heated, add the chicken thighs, skin-side down into the inner pot. Don’t overcrowd the pot! It is better to work in batches so that the chicken can sear versus steam.
• Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until both sides are golden brown. Remove the chicken to a clean plate and turn the saute function OFF.

Step Three: Deglaze Inner Pot

Any time you saute ANYTHING in the Instant Pot, you must deglaze the inner pot. This just means adding liquid and scraping off the browned bits from the bottom of the inner pot. This extra step will prevent a burn notice.

• Pour water into the inner pot and use a spatula to scrape off any browned bits off your inner pot.

Step Four: Pressure Cook Chicken Thighs

• If you did not have to deglaze your inner pot, add the water now to your inner pot.
• Place the trivet inside the inner pot and place the chicken on the trivet. It is okay if the chicken thighs overlap each other.
• Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure your vent knob is pointed to sealed.
• Using the manual or pressure cook function, not the poultry function, set to cook for the following time:
  • Bone-In Chicken Thighs: 8 Minutes on High Pressure (10 minutes if not seared first)
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: 6 minutes on High Pressure (8 minutes if not seared first)
  • Frozen Chicken Thighs: 15 minutes on high pressure, for bone-in chicken thighs, or 10 minutes for boneless chicken thighs.

Step Five: Release Pressure

Any time you are cooking meat, you want to allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes to ensure the meat stays tender and juicy.

• Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes.
• Once the pressure has been released, open the instant pot and check the temperature of the chicken thighs, with a digital meat thermometer. Your chicken should be between 162-165 degrees Fahrenheit. If your chicken thighs are below 162 degrees, do not panic. Simply place the lid back on the pressure cooker and cook for 1-2 minutes on high pressure. It will not take long for your Instant Pot to come to pressure a second time.
• Remove chicken from Instant Pot and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step Six: Serve

These Instant Pot Chicken Thighs can be served immediately with a side of roasted broccoli, rice pilaf, parsley potatoes, or roasted red potatoes. Or you can further crisp up the skin under a broiler if desired, which is a great option if you started this recipe with frozen chicken thighs.

• Place the cooked chicken thighs on a broiler pan, skin side up.
• Broil the chicken thighs on high for 1-3 minutes, until nice and crispy.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Love instant pot chicken recipes? Me too! Check out a few of my favorites:

• Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
• Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Instant Pot Chicken Chili
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup