How Long Should You Cook Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot? A Detailed Guide

For beginners, cooking chicken thighs in an Instant Pot might seem hard. With so many options like fresh vs. frozen, bone-in vs. boneless, and skin-on vs. I have chicken thighs without skin. How do I know how long to cook them in the Instant Pot until they are done?

Not to worry! In this detailed guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to cook juicy, flavorful chicken thighs in your Instant Pot, no matter what kind of thighs you are working with.

Why Choose Chicken Thighs for Instant Pot?

Chicken thighs are one of the most versatile and flavorful cuts of chicken. They are also budget-friendly and hold up extremely well to Instant Pot pressure cooking. Here are some of the benefits of cooking chicken thighs in your Instant Pot:

• Soft and juicy: The Instant Pot’s moist heat makes chicken thighs very soft and juicy.

• Can be frozen—Frozen chicken thighs can be cooked right from the freezer without having to thaw first.

• Handles longer cook times – With more fat and collagen than chicken breasts, thighs are great for dishes that require longer cook times.

• More flavor – Chicken thighs have more fat and collagen that keeps them moist and packed with flavor.

• Budget-friendly cost – Chicken thighs are an affordable alternative to more expensive cuts like chicken breasts.

Fresh vs. Frozen Chicken Thighs

You don’t have to defrost frozen chicken thighs before cooking them in an Instant Pot, which is a plus. But there is a difference in how long to cook fresh and frozen food:

Fresh chicken thighs – Cook for 10-12 minutes

Frozen chicken thighs – Cook for 14 minutes

For best results, make sure frozen thighs are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. And allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure after cooking frozen thighs.

Bone-in vs. Boneless Thighs

You can cook both bone-in and boneless thighs in the Instant Pot. The difference again comes down to cook time:

Bone-in chicken thighs – Cook for 12 minutes

Boneless chicken thighs – Cook for 10 minutes

The bones in bone-in thighs act as insulation and require them to cook slightly longer. Other than adjusting the cook time, you can use bone-in and boneless thighs interchangeably.

Skin-on vs. Skinless Thighs

Chicken thighs can be cooked in the Instant Pot with or without the skin on. For skin-on thighs, you’ll want to first sear the skin side for 2-4 minutes on saute mode to render the fat and get the skin nice and brown. Then flip and sear 1 minute on the other side before pressure cooking.

For skinless thighs, you can skip browning altogether. The steam and pressure will ensure the meat comes out juicy.

Cook skinless and skin-on thighs for the same amount of time listed above. Just adjust the browning time as needed if your thighs have skin.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cook Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot

Now that you know how fresh vs. frozen, bone-in vs. boneless, and skin-on vs. skinless chicken thighs impact cook time, let’s look at a step-by-step guide to cook chicken thighs in the Instant Pot:

Ingredients:

• 6-8 chicken thighs
• 1-4 cups water or broth
• Seasonings of choice (salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Season chicken thighs as desired.
2. If skin-on, sear skin-side down for 2-4 minutes on saute mode.
3. Add 1 cup water/broth for no broth, 4 cups for broth.
4. Place thighs in a single layer on a trivet or steamer basket.
5. Pressure cook for recommended time based on fresh vs. frozen and bone-in vs. boneless.
6. Allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes then quick release.
7. Remove thighs and enjoy!

Approximate cook times:

• Fresh, bone-in thighs (skin-on or off): 12 minutes
• Fresh, boneless thighs: 10 minutes
• Frozen thighs, any kind: 14 minutes

The above times are for thighs that have not been pre-browned. If you do sear skin-on thighs, reduce overall cook time by 2-3 minutes.

And that’s it! In 3 simple steps – choosing fresh or frozen, bone-in or boneless, and browning or not browning – you can cook perfect chicken thighs in the Instant Pot every time.

How to Know When Chicken Thighs Are Done

With the quick cook times of the Instant Pot, overcooking is a concern. Here are a few ways to test doneness on chicken thighs:

• Use a meat thermometer – Chicken thighs are safely cooked to 165°F. Insert a thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding bone.

• Check for visible juice – Use tongs to remove a thigh and make a small cut. If the meat is opaque throughout and clear juices run out, it is fully cooked.

• Pierce with a fork – If a fork slides easily into the meat and the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked through.

• Look for pulling away from the bone – If cooking bone-in thighs, the meat will start pulling away from the bone when fully cooked.

Checking doneness with multiple tests reduces the risk of undercooked chicken. If in doubt, you can always cook a minute or two longer.

Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes

Now that you know how to cook chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, it’s time for some recipe inspiration!

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs coated in a sticky, sweet barbecue sauce.

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs – Juicy chicken thighs seasoned with garlic, lemon, and herbs.

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore – Chicken thighs cooked in a tomato-based Italian sauce.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo – Chicken thighs simmered in a rich Filipino-inspired sauce.

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala – Chicken thighs in a creamy, lightly spiced Indian sauce.

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs smothered in hot sauce for a game day favorite.

Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken – Chicken thighs in a creamy sauce with sun dried tomatoes and spinach.

Let’s Recap How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs

Cooking chicken thighs in the Instant Pot is quick and easy when you follow a few simple guidelines. Here’s a quick recap:

• For fresh thighs, cook bone-in for 12 minutes, boneless for 10 minutes

• For frozen thighs, cook for 14 minutes

• Browning time for skin-on thighs reduces overall cook time by 2-3 minutes

• Use natural release for 5 minutes then quick release after cook time is complete

• Check doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F), clear juices, or fork inserted easily

With the proper cook times for the type of thighs you are using, you’ll enjoy tender and juicy Instant Pot chicken thighs every time!