Instant Pot Peperoncini Chicken (Juicy, Shredded & Flavorful)

This Instant Pot peperoncini chicken is made with juicy shredded chicken thighs and comes together in 30 minutes! It's easy to throw together on a weeknight and perfect for adding to bowls, pastas, sandwiches and salads.

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We've been making this peperoncini chicken in our Instant Pot basically once per week for the past several months, and we're still not sick of it! I mean, who doesn't love a recipe where you can toss a few ingredients into a pot, press a button, and walk away until it's done? In 30 minutes, I might add.

On nights when I haven't exactly planned dinner, if I have chicken thighs, peperoncini, and a few pantry staples, I know I can make something our whole family will be excited about. The chicken is a juicy, shredded style, so it makes an excellent sandwich with brioche topped with provolone and greens. It's also great in bowls, and my repeat meal is using the peperoncini chicken in sweet potato bowls with my Brussels sprouts chopped salad.

Having easy, fool-proof proteins is the perfect way to build meals around seasonal produce while simplifying dinner at the same time. If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can also toss everything into a slow cooker so it's ready by dinnertime.

Jump to:

• Ingredient Highlights
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Can I Use a Slow Cooker Instead?
• Serving Ideas
• Recommended Pairings
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredient Highlights

• Chicken thighs - I am a huge fan of chicken thighs! To me, they're much easier to cook than chicken breast because they stay SO juicy.
• Peperoncini + the brine - I use peperoncini brine in salad dressing a lot (like in my kale farro salad), and it adds so much flavor here too.
• Seasonings - Besides salt and pepper, your favorite Italian seasoning blend will add flavor.

If you shop at Trader Joe's and can find their Italian soffrito seasoning... do it. I often add a bit along with a standard Italian seasoning, and it's SO good in this recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Can I Use a Slow Cooker Instead?

Yes! Use the same ingredients, but cook in the slow cooker on high for four hours or low for eight hours. Perfect for days when you want dinner ready as soon as you're home from work.

Serving Ideas

I've mentioned a few, but here some ideas based on how my family actually enjoys this peperoncini chicken whenever we make it:

• Sandwiches - Brioche + provolone lightly toasted in the oven to the provolone melts. Top with the shredded chicken, more peperoncini, and greens if you'd like. If you have giardiniera, it'd be delicious here.
• Bowls - This is my personal favorite. Grains like farro, roasted sweet potato cubes, a nicely textured salad (like Brussels sprouts chopped salad or rainbow vinegar coleslaw), feta, seeds, avocado, peperoncini or pickled red onion for topping.
• Pasta - Fold into a warm, creamy pasta like cacio e pepe.

Recommended Pairings

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📖 Recipe