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Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Juicy and tender chicken thighs cooked in the Instant Pot with a flavorful, sticky sauce for an easy and delicious meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 6 pieces bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 0.25 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 0.333 cup honey
  • 0.5 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tablespoon hot chili sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.125 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish
  • chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  2. Season the chicken thighs with paprika and ground black pepper. Add about 3 thighs skin side down to the pot and brown for about 2 minutes on each side. Repeat with remaining thighs.
  3. Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, minced garlic, and ground ginger to make the sauce.
  4. Place the browned chicken in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Pour the prepared sticky sauce over the chicken and stir to coat evenly.
  5. Lock the lid and cook on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes. Allow natural release for about 5 minutes before opening the lid.
  6. Optional: Thicken the sauce by scooping out 1/4 cup of liquid, whisking in 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and setting the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
  7. Serve the chicken thighs topped with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Drizzle with thickened sauce.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.