Instant Pot Chicken Thighs in Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are a quick and flavorful way to enjoy tender, juicy chicken with crispy skin. This recipe uses simple ingredients and fresh herbs to create a delicious garlic butter sauce that complements the meat perfectly. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep!

Ingredients

• 2 lb Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless chicken thighs if you prefer)
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 cup Chicken broth (reduced sodium)
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch, or 1/4 tsp xanthan gum)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot on the Sauté setting until shimmering. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, until browned. You may need to cook in batches. Remove chicken and turn off the heat.
3. Step 3: Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot bottom. Place the trivet inside and arrange the chicken thighs on it, skin side up.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Pour evenly over the chicken, keeping most on the meat.
5. Step 5: Cover with the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure cook on High for 10 minutes for bone-in thighs or 8 minutes for boneless. Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then release remaining pressure manually.
6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to Broil. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet, skin side up, and broil for 2–3 minutes to crisp the skin.
7. Step 7 (Optional): To thicken the sauce, remove the trivet. Mix a few tablespoons of liquid from the pot with arrowroot powder in a small bowl. Return mixture to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until thickened.
8. Step 8: Serve the chicken thighs with the garlic butter sauce from the pot. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Substitute boneless thighs if you prefer quicker cooking and easier serving.
• Add a pinch of cayenne for a subtle spicy kick.
• Use dried herbs if fresh are unavailable, but reduce the quantity by half.
• Serve over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop to avoid drying out the chicken. The sauce may thicken when chilled; stir in a little water or broth when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, frozen chicken thighs can be used without thawing. Increase the pressure cooking time by about 5 minutes and allow for a longer natural release.

How do I crisp the skin without an oven?

If you don’t have a broiler, you can crisp the skin by finishing the chicken in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, skin side down. Watch carefully to avoid burning.