By Becky Hardin
Updated Aug 14, 2025
My Instant Pot Chicken Thighs come out juicy, tender, and flavorful every time, and they’re ready in just 30 minutes! I prepare the most delicious sweet and savory glaze to serve with them, featuring BBQ sauce, maple syrup, and garlic.
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5-Star Review
“I really liked this recipe.” – Jan
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory blend of garlic, maple syrup, and barbecue sauce is the perfect weeknight meal. I love cooking chicken thighs in the pressure cooker as it’s the best way to get dinner on the table on those busy weeknights.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs If you use boneless, cook for less
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ ⅓ cup pure maple syrup honey also works
- ▢ 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- ▢ 1½ tbsp olive oil
- ▢ ¼ cup water
- ▢ ½ tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water, to thicken the sauce
Video
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a medium bowl, whisk the garlic, maple syrup, and barbecue sauce together. 4 cloves garlic, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté.
- Add the olive oil and once warm, add the chicken thighs, skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until the second side is golden brown. Remove and set aside. 1½ tbsp olive oil
- Add in the water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. ¼ cup water
- Cancel the saute setting and pour in the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the chicken back into the pot, stir to coat, and place all the thighs skin side up.
- Cover the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. Let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chicken from the pot.
- To thicken the sauce, turn the Instant Pot back to saute. Add in the cornstarch slurry and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer and turn off the Instant Pot. Serve the sauce over the thighs. ½ tbsp cornstarch
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Let the Instant Pot get nice and hot before adding the chicken thighs to help prevent sticking.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Step by Step
Prep the chicken: Pat 2 lbs. chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Prepare the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk 4 cloves garlic, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, and 2 tbsp barbecue sauce.
Turn the Instant Pot to sauté.
Cook chicken: Add 1½ tbsp olive oil and once warm, add the chicken thighs, skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until the second side is golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Add in the ¼ cup water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Cancel the sauté setting and pour in the sauce. Stir to combine.
Add the chicken back into the pot, stir to coat, and place all the thighs skin side up.
Cover the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. Let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually.
Remove the chicken from the pot.
To thicken the sauce, turn the Instant Pot back to saute. Add in the cornstarch slurry and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer and turn off the Instant Pot.
Serve : Serve the sauce over the thighs and enjoy.
Recipe Variations
Sometimes I’ll follow this simple recipe for Instant Pot chicken thighs, and sometimes I’ll switch it up:
- Use a chicken seasoning
- Add a Mediterranean flavor with an Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence
- Swap the barbecue sauce for spicy Korean BBQ sauce
- Make it kid-friendly by using sweet and sour sauce
- Serve it on game day with Buffalo sauce
How to Store
Store leftover Instant Pot chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments or in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Keep the pressure cooker out and serve these tasty chicken thighs with Instant Pot basmati rice or creamy Instant Pot mashed potatoes . Add some Instant Pot BBQ baked beans and creamy coleslaw for a complete barbecue-inspired meal.
more chicken thigh recipes to try
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Grilled Chicken Thighs (Chicken Thigh Seasoning)
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs If you use boneless, cook for less
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup honey also works
- 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water, to thicken the sauce
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a medium bowl, whisk the garlic, maple syrup, and barbecue sauce together. 4 cloves garlic, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté.
- Add the olive oil and once warm, add the chicken thighs, skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until the second side is golden brown. Remove and set aside. 1½ tbsp olive oil
- Add in the water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. ¼ cup water
- Cancel the saute setting and pour in the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the chicken back into the pot, stir to coat, and place all the thighs skin side up.
- Cover the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. Let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chicken from the pot.
- To thicken the sauce, turn the Instant Pot back to saute. Add in the cornstarch slurry and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer and turn off the Instant Pot. Serve the sauce over the thighs. ½ tbsp cornstarch
Video
Notes
- Let the Instant Pot get nice and hot before adding the chicken thighs to help prevent sticking.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
