This Instant Pot chicken thighs recipe is a quick and nutritious meal that combines tender chicken with fluffy quinoa. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and packed with flavor.
Using the Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time while ensuring the chicken remains juicy and the quinoa cooks perfectly. This dish is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or spices.
Quick and Healthy Chicken Thighs with Quinoa
This dish brings together the convenience of the Instant Pot with the wholesome goodness of chicken and quinoa.
The chicken thighs are seasoned and cooked to perfection, resulting in a tender and juicy meal.
Paired with fluffy quinoa, this recipe offers a nutritious option for any weeknight dinner.
Flavorful Ingredients
The combination of ingredients in this recipe is what makes it truly stand out.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide rich flavor, while the quinoa acts as a hearty base.
Adding aromatics like onion and garlic enhances the overall taste, creating a savory broth that infuses the quinoa.
Preparation Made Easy
Using the Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process significantly.
With just a few steps, you can have a complete meal ready in about 30 minutes.
The sauté function allows for browning the chicken, which adds depth to the flavor before pressure cooking the entire dish.
Customizable Options
This recipe is versatile and can be tailored to suit personal preferences.
Feel free to incorporate your favorite vegetables into the mix, such as bell peppers or carrots, for added color and nutrition.
Spices can also be adjusted to match your taste, making this dish a canvas for culinary creativity.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked, serve the golden-brown chicken thighs over the fluffy quinoa, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
The vibrant medley of vegetables surrounding the dish not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a burst of flavor with every bite.
This meal is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.
Nutritional Benefits
This dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
Each serving contains a balanced amount of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it a wholesome choice.
With approximately 350 calories per serving, it fits well into a variety of dietary plans, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful meal.
Quick and Healthy Chicken Thighs with Quinoa
This recipe features seasoned chicken thighs cooked alongside quinoa in a savory broth, creating a complete meal in one pot. The preparation takes about 30 minutes and serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil and brown the chicken thighs on both sides for about 3-4 minutes each. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Quinoa and Broth: Stir in the rinsed quinoa, chicken broth, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Pressure Cook: Place the browned chicken thighs on top of the quinoa mixture. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ for 10 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Once cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Serve: Carefully remove the chicken thighs and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Serve the chicken over the quinoa and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 30g