Effortless Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs: Juicy, Flavorful, and Ready in Minutes!
Craving tender, juicy BBQ chicken but short on time? Look no further! This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe is a game-changer. Imagine flavorful, fall-off-the-bone chicken coated in your favorite BBQ sauce, ready in under an hour. No more babysitting the grill or oven – the Instant Pot does all the work, locking in moisture and creating incredibly tender chicken every single time. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing meal with minimal effort.
## Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
* **Quick and Easy:** From prep to plate, this recipe is incredibly simple and requires minimal hands-on time. The Instant Pot does most of the work, freeing you up to focus on other things.
* **Incredibly Tender and Juicy:** The pressure cooking process ensures that the chicken thighs are cooked to perfection, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat that practically melts in your mouth.
* **Flavorful and Customizable:** Use your favorite BBQ sauce to create a flavor profile that suits your taste. From sweet and tangy to smoky and spicy, the possibilities are endless.
* **Perfect for Meal Prep:** This recipe is ideal for meal prepping. Cook a batch of chicken thighs and enjoy them throughout the week in salads, sandwiches, or alongside your favorite sides.
* **Minimal Cleanup:** The Instant Pot is known for its easy cleanup. With just one pot to wash, you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your meal.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Chicken Thighs:** I prefer using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the most flavor and juiciness. However, you can also use boneless, skinless thighs if you prefer. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **BBQ Sauce:** Use your favorite BBQ sauce! The type of sauce you choose will greatly impact the overall flavor of the dish. Experiment with different varieties to find your perfect match.
* **Olive Oil:** A little olive oil helps to brown the chicken thighs before pressure cooking, adding another layer of flavor.
* **Chicken Broth:** The chicken broth provides the necessary liquid for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and helps to keep the chicken moist.
* **Spices:** A simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper enhances the flavor of the chicken.
* **Optional:** A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar can add a touch of tanginess to the sauce.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a detailed guide to making the most delicious Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs:
**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Thighs**
* Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them to brown better.
* In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
* Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated.
**Step 2: Sear the Chicken Thighs (Optional but Recommended)**
* Turn on the Instant Pot and select the ‘Sauté’ function.
* Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and let it heat up for a minute or two.
* Carefully place the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, skin-side down (if using skin-on thighs). Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot.
* Sear the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned. Browning the chicken adds depth of flavor to the final dish.
* Remove the chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set aside.
**Step 3: Deglaze the Instant Pot**
* Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This step is important to prevent the ‘Burn’ error.
**Step 4: Pressure Cook the Chicken Thighs**
* Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
* Arrange the seared chicken thighs on top of the trivet.
* Pour about half of the BBQ sauce over the chicken thighs, reserving the rest for later.
* Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the pressure valve is set to ‘Sealing’.
* Select the ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ function and set the cooking time to:
* **Bone-in, Skin-on Thighs:** 12 minutes
* **Boneless, Skinless Thighs:** 8 minutes
* The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time starts. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
**Step 5: Shred or Serve**
* Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and place them on a plate.
* If desired, shred the chicken thighs with two forks. This is a great option for sandwiches or salads.
**Step 6: Add the Remaining BBQ Sauce**
* Brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the chicken thighs.
**Step 7: Broil for Extra Flavor (Optional)**
* For an extra layer of flavor, you can broil the chicken thighs for a few minutes.
* Preheat your oven’s broiler.
* Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with foil.
* Broil for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the BBQ sauce is caramelized and the chicken is slightly crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
**Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!**
* Serve the Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs hot, garnished with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce.
## Tips for Success
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Instant Pot:** Overcrowding the pot can prevent the chicken from cooking evenly. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
* **Adjust Cooking Time Based on Chicken Thighs:** Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs require a longer cooking time than boneless, skinless thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Use High-Quality BBQ Sauce:** The quality of your BBQ sauce will greatly impact the flavor of the final dish. Choose a sauce that you enjoy and that complements the other flavors.
* **Don’t Skip the Searing (If Possible):** Searing the chicken thighs before pressure cooking adds a depth of flavor that is well worth the effort. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip this step.
* **Allow for Natural Pressure Release:** Allowing the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes helps to keep the chicken moist and prevents it from drying out.
* **Add a Touch of Liquid Smoke:** For a smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the chicken broth before pressure cooking.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the spice rub for a spicy kick.
* **Use a Meat Thermometer:** To ensure that the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
## Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few serving suggestions:
* **Classic BBQ Dinner:** Serve the chicken thighs with classic BBQ sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, and baked beans.
* **BBQ Chicken Sandwiches:** Shred the chicken and pile it onto toasted buns with your favorite toppings, such as coleslaw, pickles, and onions.
* **BBQ Chicken Salads:** Top a bed of mixed greens with shredded chicken, corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and a drizzle of ranch dressing or BBQ sauce.
* **BBQ Chicken Bowls:** Create a delicious and healthy bowl with shredded chicken, rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce.
* **BBQ Chicken Tacos:** Fill tortillas with shredded chicken, salsa, guacamole, and your favorite taco toppings.
## Variations
* **Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs:** Add a tablespoon of honey to the BBQ sauce for a sweeter flavor.
* **Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the spice rub for a spicy kick.
* **Pineapple BBQ Chicken Thighs:** Add a can of crushed pineapple to the Instant Pot for a tropical twist.
* **Dr. Pepper BBQ Chicken Thighs:** Use Dr. Pepper instead of chicken broth for a unique and flavorful sauce.
* **Coca-Cola BBQ Chicken Thighs:** Similar to Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola can be used in place of chicken broth for a sweeter and slightly caramelized flavor.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
* **Can I use frozen chicken thighs?**
* Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs. However, you will need to increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes.
* **Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?**
* Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily than chicken thighs. Reduce the cooking time to about 6-8 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
* **What if I get the ‘Burn’ error?**
* The ‘Burn’ error occurs when the Instant Pot senses that the food is burning on the bottom of the pot. To prevent this, make sure to deglaze the pot thoroughly after searing the chicken. If you still get the error, try adding more liquid to the pot.
* **How long will the leftovers last?**
* Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Can I freeze the cooked chicken thighs?**
* Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken thighs. Allow the chicken to cool completely before freezing. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
## Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
This recipe card provides a concise overview of the ingredients and instructions for making Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs.
**Yields:** 6 servings
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
* 1 tablespoon paprika
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
**Instructions:**
1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub spice mixture all over chicken thighs.
2. Turn on Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’. Add olive oil. Sear chicken thighs, skin-side down, for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove chicken.
3. Pour chicken broth into Instant Pot and scrape up browned bits.
4. Place trivet in Instant Pot. Arrange chicken thighs on trivet. Pour half the BBQ sauce over the chicken.
5. Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to ‘Sealing’. Cook on ‘Pressure Cook’/’Manual’ for 12 minutes (bone-in) or 8 minutes (boneless). Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
6. Remove chicken from Instant Pot. Shred if desired. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce.
7. (Optional) Broil for 2-3 minutes per side for caramelized sauce.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!
**Nutrition Information (Approximate, per serving):**
* Calories: 400-500 (depending on BBQ sauce)
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 10-20g
Enjoy this quick, easy, and delicious Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe! It’s sure to become a family favorite.