Imagine sinking your fork into the most succulent, flavor-packed chicken that practically melts in your mouth - without spending hours in the kitchen. This Instant Pot Savory Chicken recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that's incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you're a busy home cook or a kitchen novice, this foolproof method will transform ordinary chicken thighs into a mouthwatering dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove chicken thighs from refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
- Turn Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and heat olive oil. Once oil is shimmering, carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down and brown for 3-4 minutes until golden.
- Flip chicken thighs and brown the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside on a clean plate.
- In the same Instant Pot, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning.
- Return chicken thighs to the Instant Pot, placing them skin-side up on top of the onions and broth.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release.
- Remove chicken thighs and check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Reduce remaining liquid in pot using "Sauté" mode for a thicker sauce if desired.
Tips
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and crispy skin.
- Don't skip the browning step - it builds incredible depth of flavor and creates a beautiful golden color.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- For an extra flavor boost, experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary or herbs de Provence.
- If you want a thicker sauce, use the "Sauté" function to reduce the cooking liquid after removing the chicken.
- Fresh garlic and high-quality chicken broth can elevate the overall taste of the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 102kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
