If you’re craving a dish bursting with vibrant, zesty flavors and tender, juicy chicken, you are going to love this Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe. It combines the convenience of pressure cooking with the bold, spicy punch of peri peri sauce, creating a meal that’s both effortless and unforgettable. The magic lies in how the tangy citrus and smoky spices soak into every bite of the succulent bone-in chicken thighs, delivering a perfect harmony of heat and brightness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this delicious recipe right starts with a handful of simple yet impactful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and ensuring your chicken thighs come out perfectly moist and vibrant every time.
- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless: Opt for bone-in if possible to keep the meat juicy and flavorful during pressure cooking.
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning: This adds a balanced salt and spice base that enhances the chicken’s natural flavor.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: Provides moisture and deepens the savory notes in the sauce as it cooks.
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced: Injects fresh, bright citrus tones that uplift the peri peri sauce.
- 1 orange, juiced: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the spicy heat.
- 1/4 cup olive oil: Helps meld all the flavors together and keeps the chicken tender.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Brings a robust and aromatic punch to the sauce base.
- 2 teaspoons paprika: Infuses smoky warmth and a beautiful red hue to the peri peri sauce.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Adds a savory herbal note that rounds out the spices perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Delivers the signature kick of heat that peri peri lovers crave.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: Freshens up the dish with a pop of green and a mellow herbal lift for garnish.
How to Make Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken thighs dry, this helps to ensure the seasoning sticks and the meat forms a nice crust when cooked. Generously sprinkle the all-purpose seasoning on both sides for deep, even flavor.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken in Instant Pot
Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer inside the Instant Pot. This arrangement helps each piece cook evenly and soak up the amazing peri peri sauce without overcrowding.
Step 3: Mix and Add Sauce Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, lemon zest and juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, paprika, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour this vibrant sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure every piece is bathed in those bold flavors.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Lock the lid onto the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing mode. Use the manual or high pressure setting to cook the chicken for 13 minutes. This quick cooking method infuses the meat with the tangy, spicy peri peri flavors while keeping it tender and juicy.
Step 5: Release Pressure
After the cooking timer finishes, let the pressure naturally release for about 5 minutes to keep the meat moist and tender. Then carefully perform a quick release for the rest of the pressure before opening the lid.
Step 6: Reduce the Sauce
Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a platter to rest. Turn on the ‘sauté’ function of the Instant Pot and let the remaining sauce simmer for about 5 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and intensifies its flavors, perfect to spoon generously over your chicken.
Step 7: Serve
Arrange the chicken on a serving plate, pour the reduced peri peri sauce over the top, and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh burst of color and flavor before serving.
How to Serve Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a fantastic garnish that brightens the dish visually and adds a mellow herbal note. You can also add a few lemon slices or a sprinkle of extra crushed red pepper if you love that spicy vibe.
Side Dishes
These peri peri chicken thighs pair beautifully with fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. A crisp green salad or some grilled corn on the cob work wonderfully too, rounding out the meal with contrasting textures and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the chicken over a bed of garlic-infused couscous or tucked inside warm pita pockets with cool cucumber yogurt sauce. You can even shred leftovers and toss them into tacos and wraps for a vibrant, spicy lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it great for quick meals during your busy week.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently to preserve the juicy texture and bold flavors.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of chicken broth or water while reheating helps keep the chicken moist and the peri peri sauce saucy and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe?
Absolutely! Bone-in chicken thighs add more moisture and flavor during cooking, making them a fantastic choice for this peri peri dish. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if the thighs are very large.
Is peri peri sauce very spicy?
Peri peri sauce has a medium level of spice with a nice citrusy tang, but you can easily adjust the heat by reducing or increasing crushed red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can cook the chicken thighs on the stovetop or in the oven. Just simmer the sauce separately and cook the chicken until tender, though it won’t be as quick or quite as tender as the Instant Pot method.
What can I substitute for the orange juice?
If you don’t have orange juice, you can use pineapple juice or apple juice for a similar sweet-citrus effect, or simply increase the lemon juice for extra brightness.
Can I double this recipe for a larger group?
Definitely! Just make sure not to overcrowd the Instant Pot, cooking in batches if needed. You can also increase the sauce ingredients proportionally to keep those vibrant peri peri flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe is truly a game-changer for anyone who loves bold, easy weeknight meals. It’s packed with zesty citrus, smoky spices, and perfect spice heat all wrapped up in juicy, tender chicken. I can’t recommend enough trying this recipe to add a delicious new favorite to your cooking repertoire.
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Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: African
Description
This Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce recipe offers a quick, flavorful, and tender chicken dish infused with a spicy, tangy peri peri sauce. Using the Instant Pot, the chicken cooks to juicy perfection in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal with a delightful North African-inspired flair.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound chicken thighs, bone-in and skinless
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
Peri Peri Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and evenly season both sides with the all-purpose seasoning to maximize the flavor infusion.
- Arrange Chicken in Instant Pot: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the Instant Pot for even cooking.
- Mix and Add Sauce Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together chicken broth, lemon juice and zest, orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken thighs inside the Instant Pot.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on manual/high pressure for 13 minutes to allow the flavors of peri peri sauce to deeply penetrate the chicken.
- Release Pressure: Allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes after cooking, then carefully perform a quick release to vent any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
- Reduce the Sauce: Remove the chicken and place on a serving platter. Switch the Instant Pot to the ‘sauté’ function and simmer the cooking liquid for about 5 minutes to thicken and concentrate the sauce flavors.
- Serve: Drizzle the reduced peri peri sauce over the chicken thighs and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve the dish hot for best taste and enjoy.
Notes
- Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs provide tender, juicy meat and cook evenly in the Instant Pot.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the crushed red pepper flakes to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Letting the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes enhances the chicken’s tenderness.
- The sauce can be reduced further if a thicker consistency is desired.
- Serve with rice, crusty bread, or a fresh green salad to complement the bold peri peri flavors.
