These Chicken Thighs are ready in minutes. They’re so juicy, full of flavor, and they are very easy to make!

Instant Pot chicken thighs are so simple, yet so versatile. You can enjoy them as the main dish, in salads or for a Mexican Taco night. We serve them with rice, all the juice from the chicken adds incredible flavors to plain rice making it a perfect combo.
I used the fresh boneless chicken thighs, but you can adjust it based on what you have on hand. If you prefer bone-in, add 2-5 minutes extra to the cooking time.
How to Make Fresh Chicken Thighs in an Instant Pot
- Prepare ingredients together. Remove any access fat and skin from the chicken.
- Combine all seasoning together. Rub both sides of the chicken with seasoning.
- Use sauté option on the Instant Pot, add oil and brown the outside of the chicken thighs. Set them aside.
- Cut onion into half rings, brown until golden brown.
- Add chicken on top of onions. Seal and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release for about 10 minutes.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in an Instant Pot
- Use the sauté option on the Instant Pot to brown the onion until it’s golden brown.
- Place the frozen chicken thighs on top of the onion, season generously with the seasoning mix.
- Seal and cook for 15 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release.
- Check readiness of the chicken with your thermometer, it should read at least 165F.
Other Chicken Thighs Recipe to Try
- The Perfect 5 Minute Grilled Chicken
- Garlic Ranch Baked Chicken Thighs
- Rice Stuffed Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Recipe
These Chicken Thighs are ready in minutes. They're so juicy, full of flavor, and they are very easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- 2 lb chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp parsley dry or fresh
- 2 tsp garlic parsley salt
- 1 tbsp salt adjsut to taste
- 1 tbsp oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients for the recipe. Combine seasoning together in a bowl.
- Season the chicken thighs, by rubbing them with prepared seasoning.
- Turn on your instant pot using the sauté option. Drizzle the bottom of the pan with some oil. Brown the outside of the chicken until golden. Remove chicken front the instant pot and set it aside.
- Cut the onion in half rings. Sauté onion until golden brown. Add browned chicken to the onions.
- Set the timer to manual 10 minutes, let it come to pressure and cook. Once it beeps, allow it to do a natural release. The chicken is ready to be served.
Note: You can add 1/4 of a cup of water if you feel nervous about not adding liquid to the instant pot.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 363
Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 148mg49%
Sodium 603mg25%
Potassium 363mg10%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 732IU15%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Hi,
Can I use this recipe on frozen chicken leg quarters (with the bone)? If so, how long should they cook for?
Thanks!
Hey Leigh, you can, if they are separated individually, I would say add 15-20 minutes extra. This is my best guess because it would also depend on how large the pieces are.
What am I doing wrong? I put the frozen chicken on the Meat button and then on high for 15 min, it was not done so I placed it on manual for 15 min...it still was not done..help? I want to enjoy my instant pot but not having any luck when it comes to frozen meats and dishes.
Hi Brenda, are the chicken pieces individual or a huge chunk? To me, it sounds like the piece of meat you add to the instant pot is huge. Takes longer to cook.
What a wonderful recipe, it is a new family favorite, the natural juices were a wonderful bonus to pour over the chicken. I'm still amazed no liquid is needed. Thank you for sharing!
You're welcome, Candice! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for your feedback!
How long do you let it do a natural release?
Hi Travis, usually around 15 minutes.
Can I use a regular salt instead of a garlic parsley salt?
Hey Yuna, you definitely can. I would add garlic powder or another seasoning to the mix.
2443 sodium?? has to be a typo right?
Hey Tim, thank you for pointing this out. We updated the info. The salt can also be adjusted to taste. Hope you love it!
This chicken recipe is BOMB. I broiled the chicken thighs in the oven to crisp up the skin after it was done cooking. I made a slurry (milk & flour) and added it to the gravy while chicken were in the oven and sauteed it in the IP to thicken it up. Put a little gravy on my white rice and chicken.... One word, YUM!
Bella, I love that idea. Thank you for the tips!
Literally threw about 2lbs of chicken thighs in the IP. Added some garlic powder, onion powder, salt, & pepper & 2 cups of water......so good!! Just needed a push to actually cook meat in the IP. Thanks for the courage!! 👍
Enjoy the recipe!
Do you still try to saute the chicken if it's frozen?
No, I just get a nice brown color on the onions.
Can we keep the skin in .... hard to take the skin off when it’s frozen
Yes, for sure. It will still come out amazing.
Absolutely yummy, juicy and tender. I made this with frozen thighs and your instructions were spot on. Thank you.
I'm so glad they worked out well for you! Thank you for your feedback and comment!
Getting ready to try this - how do you brown if the chicken is frozen?
Hey Valerie, you don't need to brown the chicken if it's frozen. You can just brown the onions for a bit of extra color.
Excellent chicken was so tender and the juice very flavorful and bonus cooked the chicken from frozen
Debbie thank you for the feedback. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
I have tried half a dozen chicken thigh recipes but this one takes the cake! My family loved it. Thank you!
Vanessa that is so good to hear. I am glad this recipe worked out well for you.
I feel like I'm doing something wrong. It's taking me over 30 minutes just to get the chicken thighs brown. I am doing in groups of 4 due to the size. But it's about 15 minutes per set. Every recipe I read says 3-4 minutes per side and it always takes more like 7-8 minutes per side. I even increased the saute temp to 300. What am I doing wrong here? Appreciate any advice!
Hey Alise, do you think there is something wrong with your IP? It shouldn't take that long to get them brown.
Hi Natalya,
Thanks for the reply didn't get a notification but came back to the recipe to make this again ☺️ I do wonder if there is something wrong with my IP *shrug* . But the recipe is delicious and I'm trying it with a spin on the seasoning but same instructions. Thanks for the yummy dish!
Alise, thank you! I hope you love it!
Burn notice as soon as we started cooking chicken after the onions
I had the same thing happen to me.
Scott, you can add some chicken broth in that case. I never had this issue.
Hi! Making these tonight. Just trying to summarize. Bone in will be 17-18 minutes with a 10 min NR? Can’t wait to try!
Yes, about that much. It would also depend how large they are but should be enough time.
Great recipe! tastes amazing.
But was wondering how long you waited for the natural release. I had to wait over 45 minutes!
Hey, so glad you loved the recipe. My instant pot comes to natural release in about 10 minutes.
How long should I cook with the bone in??
Hey Jen, I would add extra 5 minutes to the time.
Thanks!!
Anytime!
Why does my chicken always stick to the bottom of my instant pot even after using olive oil??
Debbie, you may be moving it too soon. If it gets brown enough, it should be easier to remove it. Is this when you brown the chicken?
Fabulous recipe, and no water needed! I think my husband's eyes rolled straight back into his head when he tasted the chicken.
Lol, I love the part about husband. It totally made my day. Time to go make more recipes for the blog! Thanks for sharing!
Do you have any suggestions on cooking WITH the skin and No onions. I just got back from the store and forgot to pick up onions.
Hey Brenda, onions add juice to the instant pot, without onions it would have to be a completely different recipe. I haven't tried making it that way.
Great recipe! Will try it soon. How long should I cook only 1lb chicken for?
Hey dear, for about 8-10 minutes, it would depend on the thickness of the chicken. Enjoy
I made this recipe with frozen thighs and it was delicious. The sauce on the rice was great. I was worried when I saw no liquid then saw your comment and did add 1/4 c water. Made more gravy lol.
Cheri, that's perfect thinking. Gravy is pretty amazing with chicken juice.
Quick and easy. Delicious and kid approved. Will definitely make this recipe again.
Tara, this is so good to hear. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
I did everything to mess this recipe up. I forgot everything! Pulled off the skin AFTER I had browned it! (I had many distractions).Then I couldn't remember if my instant pot was to be set on HIGH or Medium. The natural release took 45 minutes and then I freaked when I went back and saw you release after 10 minutes of natural release. I added liquid and next time won't.
No matter what I messed up, it turned out great and It was delicious! Thank you! I might start using my instant pot more often now and learn how to use it!
Oh Mel, I am so happy that you still a great meal after all that craziness. Happy you enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
Delicious recipe! I added liquid but won’t next time...onions and chicken add enough liquid. I added in 4 extra minutes (19 total) as you suggested since they were partially frozen and the chicken came out super moist! Thanks for sharing 😀
Hey Jen, thank you for sharing your feedback. I am so happy you liked this recipe. 🙂
How much time do I add for 5 lbs of frozen boneless skinless thighs. Thanks
Hey Header, about 15 extra minutes. It would depend if the chicken is in one piece or individual pieces.
Naltalya, I'm learning how to use my Instant Pot (so far just hard-boiled eggs and poached boneless chicken breasts). So I can learn how to adjust recipes and create my own, how did you determine the 15 extra minutes? What types of adjustments do you need to make for frozen meats? Thanks so much!
Hi Angela, I made this recipe several times and this is where we ended up at. Enjoy it!
It was funny ...I read your recipe 3 times bcs i was concerned about the liquid...and them i realized that you put the Note at the end..super easy and delicious chicken tights !!
I am so glad you loved the recipe. The liquid comes up pretty often so I had to make a note 🙂
Looks great! Going to try this tonight!
Nick, I hope you love it!