Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Adapted from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp 15 ml olive oil
- 1 tbsp 14 g butter
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup 240 ml water
- 1 tbsp 8 g cornstarch
Method
- Trim excess skin and fat from the chicken thighs.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano on the skin side.
- Press the sauté function. Once hot, add the oil and butter to the insert.
- When the butter is melted and sizzling, stir in the garlic, then add the chicken thighs skin side down.
- Brown for 2–3 minutes, until brown bits form on the bottom of the pot — this builds the gravy's flavor. Don't let it burn.
- Flip the chicken and cook for 1 more minute, then press cancel/off.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the water and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the insert with a wooden spoon.
- Place the trivet in the pot and arrange the chicken thighs on top, skin side up.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 12 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Move the chicken to a plate and let it rest. Remove the trivet.
- Whisk the cornstarch with 60ml (1/4 cup) water until smooth, then stir into the liquid at the bottom of the pot. Use the sauté function to simmer a few minutes until thickened into a gravy.
Notes
- For crispy skin, broil the cooked thighs for 2–3 minutes after pressure cooking.
- Letting the pressure release naturally (rather than a quick release) keeps the chicken juicier.
- Boneless, skinless thighs work too — reduce pressure cook time to about 7 minutes.