Name: Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 cup peri peri sauce (store-bought or homemade); 1/4 cup water; Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

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If you’re searching for an absolutely unforgettable weeknight dinner that packs major flavor with minimal effort, look no further than this Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe. With juicy, tender chicken thighs bathed in a vibrant, peppery peri peri sauce, every bite is a beautiful balance of smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy deliciousness. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, making this dish a new staple for busy families and adventurous food lovers alike.

Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s celebrate how a handful of simple ingredients transform into a bold, beautiful main course! Each component of this recipe brings its own magic, from bold spices to luscious peri peri sauce, working together to create complex flavor with very little fuss.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (6): The star of the show! This cut stays extraordinarily juicy and tender under pressure and soaks up the sauce like a dream.
Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a touch of richness and helps you get that irresistible golden-brown sear on the chicken skin.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for seasoning—don’t be shy, it brings the flavors forward beautifully.
Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to add subtle heat and round out the blend of spices.
Smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Delivers a gentle smokiness and infuses the chicken with gorgeous color and aroma.
Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Melds seamlessly with the peri peri, building savory depth without overpowering.
Peri peri sauce (1 cup): Feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand or a homemade version—this brings all the tang, heat, and signature flair!
Water (1/4 cup): Loosens the sauce just enough for pressure cooking, ensuring everything cooks evenly and nothing burns on the bottom.
Fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish, optional): A sprinkle of fresh herbs makes the dish pop with color and adds a fresh, herbal brightness at the end.

How to Make Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

Start by patting your chicken thighs dry with paper towels—this tiny act makes all the difference in getting a crispy, golden sear. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder over each thigh, rubbing the seasonings in so every bite is flavorful from the inside out.

Step 2: Sear for Maximum Flavor

Switch your Instant Pot to sauté mode and splash in the olive oil. Let it heat until shimmering, then, working in batches for the best color, nestle the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side until they achieve a lovely golden brown. This step doesn’t cook the chicken through, but it builds a deep, savory foundation for the sauce.

Step 3: Build Your Sauce Base

Remove the chicken and pour the water into the pot, scraping up any browned bits left behind. These caramelized bits are pure flavor gold! Next, pour in your peri peri sauce and give everything a good stir so the flavors meld together and nothing sticks to the bottom.

Step 4: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Gently return the seared chicken thighs to the pot, arranging them skin-side up so they get beautifully basted by the sauce. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes before finishing with a quick release—this helps keep the chicken ultra-tender.

Step 5: Optional Broil and Serve

For irresistibly crisp skin and a restaurant-worthy look, you can transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes. Pour plenty of the luscious peri peri sauce over the top and finish with a scattering of fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately and soak up every saucy spoonful!

How to Serve Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

Put the finishing touch on your Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro. For a little extra sparkle, add thinly sliced red chili or a few lemon wedges. These pops of color and fresh flavor brighten every plate.

Side Dishes

Pair this dish with fluffy rice, buttery couscous, or toasted flatbread to soak up every bit of that fiery, saucy goodness. Roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad offer the perfect cooling balance to the bold peri peri flavor, making every bite a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the chicken family-style on a big platter surrounded by veggies and lemon wedges, or pile atop individual bowls of grains for a vibrant, rustic presentation. You could even shred leftover chicken for wraps or stuffed pitas, letting the Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe shine in totally new ways.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have leftovers? Lucky you! Let any remaining chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container along with plenty of sauce. It’ll stay fresh and flavorful in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, perfect for quick lunches and second-day dinners.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange cooled chicken thighs and sauce in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight freezer container, pressing out as much air as possible. Label and date it, and you can keep your Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe on hand for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

For the juiciest results, reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, spooning sauce over the top as it warms. Alternatively, microwave the chicken and sauce together in a covered dish until heated through. If you broiled the skin the first time, a quick trip under the broiler revives its irresistible crispiness.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with boneless chicken thighs?

Absolutely! For boneless thighs, simply reduce the pressure cook time to 8 minutes as they cook a bit faster. You’ll still get all the incredible flavor and tenderness that makes this dish so special.

Is peri peri sauce very spicy?

Peri peri sauce does have a spicy kick, but you’re in control! Choose a mild store-bought variety or make your own and adjust the heat level to your liking. If you love it fiery, go wild—a little goes a long way!

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

No worries! You can use a regular pressure cooker or adapt the Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe for a Dutch oven by baking the seared chicken in the sauce at 350°F until cooked through (about 25–30 minutes).

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the full dish a day ahead, let it cool, and refrigerate. The flavors deepen overnight, and it reheats beautifully—just don’t skip the finishing broil for the best texture right before serving.

What protein alternatives can I use?

Feel free to try this recipe with bone-in chicken drumsticks or even whole bone-in chicken breasts, though you may need to slightly adjust the cook time. The peri peri sauce works wonders with almost any chicken cut!

Final Thoughts

The Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe is a celebration of bold flavors—with next-to-no effort thanks to your trusty Instant Pot. Grab your ingredients, invite someone you love into the kitchen, and treat yourself to a dish that’s both vibrant and deeply comforting. I can’t wait for you to taste just how delicious homemade peri peri chicken can be!

Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Tender, juicy Instant Pot bone-in chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a flavorful peri peri sauce. This spicy dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Thighs:

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Peri Peri Sauce:

1 cup peri peri sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1/4 cup water

Garnish:

Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Season and Sear Chicken: Pat dry and season chicken thighs. Sear in Instant Pot in batches.
Prepare Sauce: Deglaze pot with water, add peri peri sauce, and return chicken to pot.
Cook: Pressure cook for 10 minutes, then natural release for 5 minutes.
Crisp and Serve: Optionally broil chicken, spoon sauce over, and garnish with herbs.