Instant Pot balsamic chicken the whole family will love. This recipe yields tender pieces of meat with crispy skin. A balsamic vinegar and tomato reduction is drizzled on top for a savory sweet sauce.
Instant Pot balsamic chicken is quickly tenderized under pressure for succulent pieces of meat with a flavorful sauce to drizzle on top. The multi-cooker allows for searing the skin of the chicken thighs to create a crispy surface while finishing the cooking in just 10 minutes.
The chicken is braised in a tomato and balsamic vinegar sauce, transferring the flavors into each bite. The sauce gets reduced in the same pot to concentrate the naturally sweet, tangy and savory flavors of the ingredients. This recipe will be a new Instant Pot favorite with fresh Italian flavors that everyone will enjoy!
The saute function on the Instant Pot has been a game changer. It enables the cooker to add new textures and create flavors from Maillard browning, all in one vessel. I wouldn’t say that it’s better than a stainless steel pan for the color development and crunch on the chicken skin, but it’s an excellent alternative when you want to minimize cookware.
When cooking chicken thighs it’s important to sear the surface for not only taste, but it also helps to render the extra fat from that particular cut of meat. The drippings then melt into the pan, flavoring the braising liquid.
Have you ever experienced the skin on the chicken sticking to the bottom of the pot? Just like using stainless steel pans, make sure that the Instant Pot is hot before adding the oil. Do not overcrowd and allow the skin to sear without moving until it releases from the surface on its own.
It may require a little nudging at the end, however, if you let it be, it should not overly stick. If there’s too much chicken added to the pot at one time, it’s prone to sticking because it’s not hot enough to create a crust to harden and be easily removed.
Once the chicken is seared, onions, tomatoes, and garlic are sauteed in the drippings. The onions lightly caramelize, the tomatoes cook down, and the garlic adds its aromatics. Chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme are added to the pot to create a braising liquid for the chicken.
After the balsamic chicken is cooked under pressure for 10 minutes, the sauce gets reduced down until its thick enough to cling to the meat. This step also helps mellow out the acidic vinegar notes, accentuating the sweetness of the fermented and matured grapes which adds depth to the sauce.
I like to take one extra step after the chicken has pressure cooked and the sauce is reducing. After braising in the hot and steamy environment, the skin loses its crispiness. You can leave it be, or if you like to eat crispy skin like my family, quickly turn on the broiler in the oven and let the skin dry up a bit and get it’s crunchy texture back. I promise, broiling is worth the time and adds a nice contrast to the juicy meat.
This Instant Pot balsamic chicken recipe is a tasty main dish, perfect for those cool evenings when you want a cozy and satisfying hot meal. It’s also great for Paleo and the Whole30 diet. Break out the multi-cooker and get ready for a mealtime hit!
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If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #jessicagavin on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Sear In Batches
One limitation to the Instant Pot is that the circumference of the pot insert is not that large, so it’s best to work in batches for searing pieces of protein. The meat should not overlap. Otherwise, the food will steam instead of brown limiting the amount color on the surface and extra flavor. Simply remove the seared food, allow the pot to heat up, add more oil if needed and continue to cook the next batch.
- 1 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs , (680g, 4 pieces)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt , plus more for seasoning
- black pepper , as needed for seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil , (15ml)
- 1/2 cup yellow onion , (66g) 1/4-inch dice
- 1 cup diced tomatoes , (114g) seeded and 1/2-inch dice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic , (3g)
- 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth , (120ml)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar , (60ml)
- 2 teaspoons chopped thyme , (2g)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley , (5g)
- Trim any excess fat and skin from the chicken thighs. Dry with paper towels and season on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Press the "Saute" button on the Instant Pot. Press "Adjust" and select "More" setting. Once the display says "Hot", add the olive oil and allow to heat.
- Once the oil is hot add the chicken skin side down. Saute without moving the chicken until it is golden in color, 7 minutes. Flip chicken over and cook 2 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate.
- Add onions and tomatoes, saute until tender, 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and thyme, stir to combine.
- Add chicken to the pot. Place lid on Instant Pot and close. Make sure the steam release handle is positioned to "sealing". Press the "Keep Warm/ Cancel" button.
- Select the "manual" setting on "high pressure". Use the "- or +" button to adjust the time to 10 minutes.
- It will take some time (about 10 minutes) for the pot to gather steam and pressurize. You may see some traces of steam exit from the float valve as it is pressurizing.
- Once the display indicates "On" and begins the countdown at "10", and beeps when the cycle is complete.
- Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel to carefully quick release the pressure from the pot, sliding the steam release handle to the "Venting" position, releasing all of the steam until the float valve drops down.
- Carefully open the lid. Press the "Keep Warm/ Cancel" button.
- Transfer chicken skin side up to a foil-lined sheet tray. Broil the chicken on high about 12-inches from the top of the oven to crisp the skin, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, press "saute" on the "more" setting. Simmer and stir until sauce is reduced and thickened, 8 to 9 minutes. The sauce should be reduced to about 3/4 cup.
- Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve sauce with chicken and garnish with parsley.
MAKE IT WHOLE30 AND PALEO: Use extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
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Jessica, love your blog and your recipes.
I would love to try this Balsamic Chicken (simply love chicken+vinegar) but I do not have an Instant Pot. How would I cook it in my Dutch oven? Any changes to the above ingredients? Please help….
Your chicken wings were AMAZING. I got lots of compliments thanks to you.
I learn so much from you. You make me a better cook. Thank you for all your hard work with this blog.
Thank you Cristina! I would keep the ingredients the same. I would preheat the oven to 350F. Sear the chicken, remove it from the pan. Then add all of the liquids and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the chicken back in. Cover with the lid and the braise in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and cook until the chicken thighs are tender about 20 more minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan, then broil it. Continue to reduce the sauce on the stove if it did not reduce enough in the oven. Let me know how it goes!
Cannot thank you enough, Jessica. I will give it a try over the weekend.
I would cook this in a pressure cooker. I feel it would be the same!!!
I had planned to make this last night but got home much later than planned. Tired, i though about ordering pizza but the chicken thighs were already out and waiting. This recipe does not have a long list of ingredient and looked simple enough. I don’t have an instant pot, just a pressure cooker. I had dinner on the table in just over an hour. The depth of flavor was very, very good. I forgot to seed the tomatoes…i added some pepper flakes and a bit more garlic than called for. Next time, i might add some mini potatoes cut in half. This is definitely a keeper. Highly recommend this recipe.
I’m looking forward to trying this! One question – what do you do with the 1 Tbsp of chopped parsley? I see it in the ingredient list, but not in the recipe instructions. Is it used only as a garnish?
Hi Krissy- Yes, the parsley is for garnish. I’ve updated the recipe, thanks!
The chicken looks beautiful. I only have a crock pot so would need to do mine in the oven too.
Just made this! It was simple and is delicious! I appreciated the detailed step by step directions. They really helped “newbies” like myself!
Whoo hoo! You are so welcome. The instant pot is fun once you get the hang of all the buttons!
Just made this dish tonight and it was a hit! Putting it under the broiler is a great tip. My husband and son loved it! Look forward to more instant pot recipes! Your recipes are so easy to follow and never a disappointment!
Yay Lisa! Yes, the broiler really transforms the skin. Thank you for the kind words and feedback 🙂
is there some way this could be made in a crock pot? it sounds and looks absolutely delicious!
Hi Elyane! I think it is definitely possible. Here is what I would do:
1) Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once the oil is hot add chicken skin side down. Cook until skin is golden in color, 5 minutes. Flip chicken and cook 2 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate.
2) Add onions and tomatoes, saute until tender, 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
3) Add chicken and tomato mixture to your slow cooker.
4) Add chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and thyme, stir to combine.
5) Cover and cook 2 to 4 hours on high, 4 to 6 hours on low.
6) Transfer chicken skin side up to a foil-lined sheet tray. Broil the chicken on high about 12-inches from the top of the oven to crisp the skin, about 3 to 5 minutes.
7) Meanwhile, add the liquid to a large saucepan and simmer and stir until sauce is reduced and thickened, 8 to 9 minutes. The sauce should be reduced to about 3/4 cup.
8) Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Let me know how it goes!
Great recipe! If I wanted to make this for 8 people (doubling the ingredients and chicken) how would that affect cooking times, if at all? Thanks!
Thanks Adam! What size instant pot do you own? You don’t want the pressure cooker to be more than 2/3 full. For this recipe I think you can keep the cook time the same since the enclosed pressurized vessel will cook the food evenly.
Hi Jessica, Can you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe?
Yes you can!