Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1

Brown Chicken Thighs: Heat up Instant Pot using Sauté More function. Wait until it says HOT. This prevents chicken thighs from sticking to the pot.Make Dumplings Dough: While Instant Pot is preheating, mix 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour and 1 tbsp (12g) baking powder. In a separate container, mix 3/4 cup (188ml) warm milk, 1 tsp (5g) salt, 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, and 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter. Pour milk mixture into the flour mixture. Mix well to form a batter. Do not overmix.Pat-dry chicken thighs and season skin side with kosher salt & black pepper. Add 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter to Instant Pot, ensure the whole bottom is coated with butter. Add 4 chicken thighs (skin side) in Instant Pot and brown for 3.5 minutes. Season the other side with kosher salt & black pepper. Then, flip and brown for 2 minutes. Set aside and repeat for remaining chicken thighs.

Step 2

Saute Onions, Garlic, & Veggies: Add chopped onions, season with a pinch of Kosher salt & black pepper. Saute onions for roughly 2.5 minutes. Add minced garlic cloves and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped carrots & celery, then saute for 2 minutes. Add 2 bay leaves + a pinch of dried thyme, then let it cook for a minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Deglaze: Pour in 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock and deglaze by scrubbing all the brown bits off the bottom of the pot. Give it a quick mix.

Step 4

Pressure Cook Chicken and Dumplings: Add potato chunks, 4 cups (1000ml) unsalted chicken stock, browned chicken thighs + all meat juice.Drop dumplings on top with a teaspoon (they'll double in size after pressure cooking). With Venting Knob at Venting Position, close the lid and turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure cook at High Pressure for 3 minutes + Natural Release for 15 minutes. Then, Gradual Release (turn Venting Knob just enough to release pressure slowly) until Floating Valve drops. (See photo below for reference)

Step 5

Shred Chicken Thighs: Set aside dumplings. In a large bowl, shred chicken and discard the skin & bones.

Step 6

Thicken Chicken and Dumplings: Bring the soup to a simmer. Add in 1/2 - 1 cup (60 - 120g) frozen green peas. Stir and break some of the potatoes to thicken soup. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup (62.5g) all-purpose flour and a few ladles of soup until the flour fully dissolves. Thicken the chicken and dumplings soup to the desired thickness by mixing in the flour mixture one third at a time.

Step 7

Season & Serve: Return shredded chicken and dumplings to pot. Taste and season with fish sauce or salt. Mix well and serve with finely chopped parsley and heavy cream if desired.