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Irresistible Instant Pot Cranberry Butter Chicken Recipe

Instant Pot Cranberry Butter Chicken - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, tangy cranberry butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought, whole berry preferred)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow it to melt completely.
  2. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Place the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot and sear them for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Use tongs to flip the chicken. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pot, followed by the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Blend until the sauce is smooth.
  7. Return the seared chicken thighs to the Instant Pot, nestling them into the sauce. If using fresh rosemary or thyme, add a sprig or two on top.
  8. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select the ‘Pressure Cook’ function. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  9. Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
  10. Carefully open the lid and check the internal temperature of the chicken—it should be at least 165°F (74°C).
  11. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and use the sauté mode to simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it reduces.
  12. Serve the chicken hot, spooning the cranberry butter sauce generously over the top.

Notes

[‘Don’t skip the searing—it locks in the juices and adds flavor.’, “Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent the ‘burn’ warning.”, ‘Taste the sauce before pressure cooking and adjust sweetness or tanginess if needed.’, ‘Fresh cranberries provide the most vibrant flavor for homemade cranberry sauce.’, ‘Simmer the sauce after cooking to thicken it if needed.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Cranberry Butter Chicken, Quick Dinner, Holiday Recipe, Comfort Food, Chicken Thighs

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/irresistible-instant-pot-cranberry-butter-chicken-recipe/