Since our Instant Pot recipe for Frozen Chicken Thighs got a lot of attention, I thought I’d share some more that you can make in your Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker. Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes are such an easy family friendly one pot dinner.
There are a lot of thigh Instant Pot recipes on our site, so we put them all in one place in case you prefer dark meat to white. If you like chicken that is soft and juicy and cooked under high pressure in a rich sauce or light broth, you will love all of these recipes. (post may contain affiliate links).
Using a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker to cook chicken thighs makes them juicy and flavorful in a lot less time than other methods. The Ninja Foodi’s ability to combine pressure cooking and air crisping functions makes it perfect for getting tender meat with crispy skin.
Why Choose Chicken Thighs?
Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for pressure cooking for several reasons:
- More flavorful and juicy than chicken breasts due to higher fat content
- More forgiving if slightly overcooked, as they won’t dry out as easily
- Budget-friendly compared to other chicken cuts
- Versatile for various seasonings and flavor profiles
What You’ll Need
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Your preferred seasoning blend
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock
Basic Steps for Cooking Chicken Thighs in Ninja Foodi
Step 1: Preparation and Seasoning
- Rinse chicken thighs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels
- Trim excess fat if desired
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and your preferred seasonings
Step 2: Sautéing for Flavor
- Select the “Sauté” function on your Ninja Foodi
- Add oil to the pot and heat until hot
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden brown
- Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes
Step 3: Pressure Cooking
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the pot
- Close the pressure cooker lid and set the valve to “Seal”
- Select “Pressure Cook” function and set timer:
- 10-12 minutes for boneless thighs
- 15-20 minutes for bone-in thighs
- When cooking cycle completes, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to “Vent”
Step 4: Optional Crisping
- After pressure cooking, you can use the air crisp function for crispier skin
- Remove the pressure lid and attach the air crisp lid
- Set to “Air Crisp” at 400°F for 5 minutes or until desired crispiness
Cooking Times
| Type of Chicken Thigh | Pressure Cook Time | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Bone-in, Fresh | 15-20 minutes | 165°F (74°C) |
| Boneless, Fresh | 10-12 minutes | 165°F (74°C) |
| Bone-in, Frozen | 25-30 minutes | 165°F (74°C) |
| Boneless, Frozen | 15-18 minutes | 165°F (74°C) |
Seasoning Ideas
You can elevate your chicken thighs with these popular seasoning combinations:
- Italian Herb Blend: Oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Cajun Spice Mix: Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and black pepper
- Simple but Delicious: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
Tips for Perfect Chicken Thighs
- Don’t skip the searing step – This adds significant flavor through the Maillard reaction
- Let the chicken rest after cooking for 5 minutes to redistribute juices
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C)
- Don’t overcrowd the pot – cook in batches if necessary
- Experiment with marinades before cooking for added flavor dimensions
Common Questions
Can I use frozen chicken thighs?
Yes! You can cook frozen chicken thighs directly in your Ninja Foodi. Simply add 5-10 minutes to the pressure cooking time depending on thickness. However you won’t be able to sear frozen chicken, so you’ll miss out on some flavor development.
Should I remove the skin?
This is a personal preference. The skin adds flavor and moisture during cooking, but if you prefer a lower-fat option, you can remove it. If keeping the skin, the air crisp function will give you that delicious crispy texture.
What liquid should I use in the pressure cooker?
While chicken broth adds flavor, you can use water, wine, or any cooking liquid. The important thing is to have at least 1 cup of liquid to create the necessary steam for pressure cooking.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable method to check doneness.
Serving Suggestions
Your perfectly cooked chicken thighs pair wonderfully with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Steamed or roasted vegetables
- Rice or pasta
- Fresh salad
- Grains like quinoa or couscous
You can also shred the cooked chicken thighs for use in tacos, casseroles, soups, or sandwiches.
Recipe Example: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper
- Use the Sauté function to brown chicken thighs in oil, 3-4 minutes per side
- Remove chicken and set aside
- In the same pot, sauté garlic for 30 seconds
- Add honey, soy sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth
- Return chicken to the pot, secure the pressure lid
- Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes (bone-in) or 10 minutes (boneless)
- Quick release pressure when done
- Remove chicken and switch to Sauté function
- Reduce sauce for 3-5 minutes until thickened
- Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with green onions
Final Thoughts
I’ve been using my Ninja Foodi pressure cooker for chicken thighs for years now, and honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to other methods. The combination of juiciness from pressure cooking and that perfect crispy skin from the air crisp function is just unbeatable! Plus, being able to do it all in one pot means way less cleanup.
It’s really easy to cook chicken thighs with the Ninja Foodi, whether you’re making a quick dinner for the week or a fancy meal for guests. If you want to make something delicious, remember to buy good ingredients and try out different flavors.
So go ahead and fire up your Ninja Foodi – deliciously cooked chicken thighs are just minutes away!
Pressure Cooker Chicken Thigh Recipes
You can cook the chicken as a Ninja Foodi recipe with the lid that is NOT attached these ways as well. We already told you that the multi cooker comes with an air fryer basket. This lets you make our Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs with a bit of crisp on the outside, which I like.
- Dry the outside of the chicken thighs with paper towels and season them. Add some Lawry’s, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste after putting on some olive oil.
- To brown the outsides first, use the Sauté function, which works like a pan on the stove.
- Once the oil is hot, sear the thighs. Then, carefully put them in the pressure cooker with the skin side down if you want to use skin-on. Cook for a few minutes on each side. This will not only make it a little crispier, but it will also seal in the juices.
- Once they are seared, add chicken broth or water to let them steam. You won’t need much because the meat will release some broth as it cooks. You could also use a sauce, like we did with our Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs.
- Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the valve to the sealing position to cook under pressure. Choose “high pressure” and set the cooking time based on the size and type of food you have on hand. Bone-in chicken thighs: Pressure cook for 10-12 minutes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Pressure cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, set the timer for Natural Release for a few minutes, usually five. This will keep the juices inside and not drain them right away. After that, you can quickly let off the pressure by carefully turning the valve to the venting position.
If you love cooking your side dishes with your meat we have done that!! You can take a peek and jump to recipe for our Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice and give that a try too. For those I do not use skin on chicken thighs as that layer will get a bit rubbery. Also I dice the meat into bite size pieces. Perfect 15 minute meal I tell you.
Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thigh Recipes
For the cheapest option, our Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Bone In is just that. You will save a lot of money if the butcher doesn’t have to take out the bones, but they are harder to eat. If you have kids I would just spend more to eliminate that hassle.
To cook vegetables with your poultry you can follow our simple Ninja Foodi Chicken and Potatoes instructions. Here you can cook carrots, russets and your meat all together. Makes everything soft in no time, and this healthy meal is great just the way it is.
That basically concludes our list of Easy Quick Chicken Thigh Recipes cooked in your small countertop appliance a number of different ways. Last but not least we have an original dish in the recipe card below for you too.
If you want an easy way to shred the meat after making any of our Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes we have step by step directions for you here;