Heat the Instant Pot using the Saute-Normal function. Add the olive oil and butter.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
When the butter has melted, add the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken has started to turn golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Turn the Instant Pot off. Add the trivet to the bottom and place the chicken thighs, skin side up, on the trivet. Try not to overlap them. Pour in the water or chicken stock. Set the Instant Pot to Manual Pressure Cook-Normal-High for 10 minutes. Make sure the pressure valve is in the “sealing” position.
When the Instant Pot has finished cooking, manually release the pressure by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Be careful; the vent will steam and may splatter!
Remove the chicken thighs and set them aside. Remove the trivet and discard the water/stock.
To Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Heat the Instant Pot using the Saute-Normal function. Add the butter, olive oil, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes, if using.
When the butter has melted and the garlic has started to turn golden, add the parmesan and fresh chopped parsley and stir to combine.
Return the chicken thighs to the Instant Pot and toss to combine. Make sure the chicken thighs get coated on all sides with the garlic parmesan sauce.
Notes
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you don’t have the trivet for your Instant Pot, these chicken thighs can be made without.