A Taste of Tuscany in Under 30 Minutes!
Escape to the Italian countryside without leaving your kitchen! This Instant Pot Italian Chicken Thighs recipe is your ticket to a fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying weeknight dinner. We’re talking tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken swimming in a rustic sauce of sweet cherry tomatoes, earthy mushrooms, and fragrant basil. The best part? It all comes together in one pot in under 30 minutes, making cleanup as delightful as the meal itself. Get ready to impress your family with a dish that tastes like it simmered for hours.
Ingredients
• 6 Chicken Thighs, bone-in or boneless
• 2 cups / 300g Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup / 20g fresh Basil, roughly chopped
• 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• ½ pound / 225g Cremini Mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup / 75g Olives, Kalamata or Castelvetrano recommended
• 1 tbsp / 15ml Tomato Paste
• 1 tbsp / 15ml Olive Oil
• ¼ cup / 10g fresh Parsley, chopped, for garnish
• 1 cup / 240ml Chicken Broth
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function on high heat and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and sear them in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.2. Add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and the mushrooms have released their moisture and started to brown.3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.4. Add the tomato paste and stir it into the vegetables, cooking for one minute to deepen the flavor. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.5. Turn off the Sauté function. Return the seared chicken to the pot, then add the cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil.6. Secure the lid, set the steam release valve to ‘Sealing’, and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.7. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully moving the steam release valve to ‘Venting’.8. Once the pin has dropped, open the lid. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving: Calories 245 | Total Fats 25g | Net Carbs 7g | Protein 35g | Fiber 3g
Pro Tips
• Don’t overcrowd the pot when searing the chicken. Searing in batches ensures each piece gets a beautiful, golden-brown crust which adds immense flavor.
• For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after cooking and turn the Instant Pot back to the Sauté function. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency.
• Serve this dish over creamy polenta, orzo, crusty bread, or zucchini noodles to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• Feel free to add a splash of dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio) when you deglaze the pot for an extra layer of complex flavor.
FAQ
Q: Can I use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe
A: Yes, the recipe works perfectly with either bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. The high-pressure cooking time of 10 minutes is suitable for both.
Q: How do I make the sauce thicker
A: For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after cooking, turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté function, and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency.
Q: What should I serve with Italian chicken thighs
A: This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy polenta, orzo, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, try serving it over zucchini noodles.
Q: Is searing the chicken really necessary
A: Searing the chicken is highly recommended. This step creates a golden-brown crust that adds a deep, rich flavor to the final dish. Be sure not to overcrowd the pot for the best results.
