If you are craving a meal that bursts with bold flavors and succulence, the Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe is where your search ends. This dish brings together juicy, tender chicken thighs cooked to perfection in a zesty, spicy peri peri marinade that is simple yet irresistible. Using the Instant Pot means less waiting and more savoring, making this recipe a delightful way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner right at home. Whether you’re new to peri peri or already a fan, this recipe promises a perfect balance of heat, tang, and aromatic herbs that will quickly become a dinner favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to creating this flavor-packed dish. The beauty lies not just in their simplicity but how each one enhances the taste, texture, and color, culminating in a wonderful peri peri experience.
- 1 pound chicken thighs, bone in and skin on: Using bone-in chicken ensures maximum juiciness and richer flavor with every bite.
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning: A simple seasoning blend that lays the savory foundation for the chicken.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth, allowing the chicken to cook tenderly while infusing it with savory notes.
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced: Brightens the dish with fresh citrus aroma and a subtle tang that complements the spices.
- 1 orange, juiced: Introduces a natural sweetness to balance the heat in the peri peri sauce perfectly.
- 1/4 cup olive oil: Helps blend the marinade ingredients and keeps the chicken moist during cooking.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Adds that classic pungent kick which is essential to peri peri’s bold personality.
- 2 teaspoons paprika: Gives a smoky warmth and a vibrant red tint to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Offers an earthy herbal touch that rounds out the spicy, citrus notes.
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Delivers controlled heat, adjustable to your spice preference.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: A fresh, green finish that brightens the overall presentation and taste.
How to Make Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Begin by patting your chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This simple step helps the seasoning adhere better and allows the chicken skin to crisp slightly if you brown it later. Generously sprinkle both sides with your all-purpose seasoning for that essential extra flavor layer that will carry through the whole dish.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken in the Instant Pot
Place the seasoned chicken thighs neatly in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Arrange them in a single layer as best as you can; this encourages even cooking and helps each piece absorb maximum flavor from the sauce.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Peri Peri Sauce
In a bowl, combine the chicken broth, freshly zested and juiced lemon, orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk this vibrant mixture until it’s smooth and well blended. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the pot, making sure every piece is lovingly bathed in this peri peri magic.
Step 4: Pressure Cook the Chicken
Seal the Instant Pot lid securely and set the valve to sealing. Choose the manual or high-pressure cooking option and set the timer for 13 minutes. This step marinates the chicken as it cooks, unlocking that iconic peri peri zest and tenderness.
Step 5: Release Pressure and Remove Chicken
Once the cooking cycle ends, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. This helps lock in the juiciness before carefully doing a quick release to let out any remaining steam. Open the lid and gently transfer the cooked chicken to a plate—your kitchen is already filling with incredible aromas!
Step 6: Reduce the Sauce
Switch your Instant Pot to ‘sauté’ mode and let the peri peri sauce simmer for about 5 minutes. This reduction intensifies the flavors and thickens the sauce just right for spooning over your chicken later.
Step 7: Plate and Garnish
Arrange the beautiful, tender chicken thighs on a serving platter. Pour the thickened peri peri sauce generously over top, then sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for that final pop of color and freshness. This dish is best served hot to truly enjoy the vibrant, spicy flavors.
How to Serve Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley adds just the right herbal brightness and a lovely green contrast against the reddish-orange peri peri sauce. For added zing, a few extra lemon wedges on the side invite your guests to add more citrus if they prefer a sharper tang.
Side Dishes
This peri peri chicken shines when paired with fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a light couscous salad. These sides soak up the flavorful sauce perfectly, making every bite a harmonious balance. Roasted vegetables also work wonderfully to add texture and color on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, consider serving the chicken over a bed of grilled vegetables or inside warm pita pockets topped with a dollop of cooling yogurt or aioli. This Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe even works great shredded into wraps for an effortless lunch option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover chicken cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 3 days, maintaining that perfect blend of juicy meat and zesty sauce.
Freezing
If you want to save this tasty dish for longer, freezing works well too. Pack the chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or bags to preserve the texture. They can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing any of their signature peri peri punch.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy again, gently reheat the chicken with its sauce in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of water or broth helps keep the sauce silky and the chicken moist during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in?
Absolutely! While bone-in chicken adds more flavor and juiciness, boneless thighs will cook faster and still taste delicious with this peri peri sauce. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if using boneless.
How spicy is the peri peri sauce in this recipe?
The heat level is moderate thanks to the balanced combination of crushed red pepper flakes and paprika. You can easily increase or decrease the spice by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
This recipe is naturally dairy-free since the sauce is based on citrus, spices, and olive oil, making it a great option for folks avoiding dairy without needing substitutions.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes! Preparing the peri peri sauce ahead of time can deepen the flavors even more. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking the chicken.
What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
You can adapt this recipe for the stovetop or oven by simmering the chicken and sauce gently until cooked through, but the Instant Pot really speeds up the cooking while locking in moisture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about this Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe that keeps me coming back for more. The harmony of juicy, tender chicken with that zesty, spicy peri peri sauce is pure comfort food magic. Don’t hesitate to try this at home—it’s easy, vibrant, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that transforms weeknight dinners into something unforgettable.
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Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Description
This Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with a vibrant and spicy peri peri marinade. Cooked under pressure for quick and flavorful results, this dish combines zesty citrus, smoky paprika, garlic, and a hint of heat for a mouthwatering meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless 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 to remove excess moisture. Evenly coat both sides of the thighs with the all-purpose seasoning to maximize flavor infusion during cooking.
- Arrange Chicken in Instant Pot: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of the Instant Pot, arranging them in a single layer if possible to ensure they cook evenly under pressure.
- Prepare Peri Peri Sauce: 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 until fully blended. Pour this sauce mixture evenly over the chicken inside the Instant Pot.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the steam valve to the sealing position. Select the manual or high pressure cooking setting and set the timer for 13 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly, allowing it to absorb the peri peri flavors.
- Release Pressure: When cooking is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to quick release to vent any remaining steam before opening the lid.
- Thicken Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken thighs and place them aside on a serving dish. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté function and simmer the remaining sauce for approximately 5 minutes. This reduces and concentrates the flavors into a thicker peri peri sauce.
- Serve: Place the chicken on a serving platter, drizzle generously with the reduced peri peri sauce, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the full flavor profile.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless thighs keeps the cooking time quick and the meat tender.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level for milder or spicier peri peri sauce.
- Natural pressure release helps retain juiciness; do not skip the 5-minute natural release step.
- The sauce can be simmered longer if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
