Craving a dinner that’s sweet, savory, and absolutely packed with flavor? This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is the answer to your busy weeknight dreams!
Juicy, tender chicken is smothered in an irresistible sticky honey garlic sauce that coats every single bite. The flavors are bold and bright, yet comfortingâ€"think fragrant garlic, rich soy, and just the right hint of sweetness.
Best of all? It comes together in one pot in under half an hour, making cleanup a breeze. Serve it over fluffy rice or tender noodles, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will beg for again and again.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy, one-pot mealâ€"little mess, maximum flavor
- Perfect blend of sweet and savory, thanks to real honey and aromatic garlic
- Quick cook time, ready in under 30 minutes
- Kid-approved and picky-eater friendly
- Excellent leftovers for easy meal prep
Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are the star of this recipe; they remain juicy and tender under pressure, soaking up every drop of the sauce. Boneless, skinless thighs work best for quick, even cooking, but you can also use chicken breasts if preferredâ€"just keep in mind they may be slightly less moist.
Honey
Pure honey lends natural sweetness and helps create the signature glossy, sticky sauce that clings to the chicken. Choose a mild honey for a smoother flavor, but feel free to experiment with wildflower or local varieties. If you're out of honey, pure maple syrup makes a tasty substitute.
Garlic
Fresh, minced garlic packs each bite with bold, aromatic flavor. You’ll want several cloves for that authentic taste. If needed, jarred minced garlic works in a pinch, but fresh really shines in this dish.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce brings savory depth and balances the sweetness. Use low-sodium soy sauce to avoid an overly salty result. For a gluten-free variation, swap in tamari or coconut aminos.
Ginger
A bit of fresh ginger (or ground ginger) adds warmth and a slight zing to round out the sauce. Use freshly grated for the brightest flavor, but a sprinkle of ground ginger will work if that's what you have.
Instructions for Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.Sauté the Chicken
Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat the oil. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer and season with black pepper. Sear for about 2 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. This step boosts depth of flavor in the final dish!
Mix the Sauce
While the chicken browns, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and ¼ cup of water in a small bowl until combined. This is the magic elixir that gives this dish its irresistible character!
Pressure Cook
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Once finished, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
Thicken the Sauce
Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode. In a small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch into 1 tablespoon cold water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it bubbles and thickens. Return the chicken to the pot and toss to coat well.
Garnish and Serve
Turn off the Instant Pot. Serve the honey garlic chicken hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh, restaurant-worthy finish.
Recipe Variations
Make It Spicy
Want a punch of heat? Stir in a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce before cooking. Adjust to your desired spice level!
Swap the Protein
Prefer chicken breasts or even pork tenderloin? Both work well in this recipeâ€"just cut them into even pieces for consistent cooking, and be mindful that leaner cuts may need a slightly shorter pressure cook time.
Lower Sugar Option
Reduce the honey to ¼ cup and replace some of the sweetness with a zero-calorie sweetener, like monk fruit or stevia, for a lighter version without losing the sticky sauce texture.
Gluten-Free Version
Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos and double-check that your vinegar and cornstarch are certified gluten-free for a safe, equally delicious meal.
Add Veggies
Toss in veggies like snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli after releasing the pressure. Sauté until just tender before thickening the sauce and adding the chicken back in.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your honey garlic chicken over a bowl of steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or fluffy quinoa to soak up all that glorious sauce. Roasted broccoli, stir-fried snap peas, or a tangy cucumber salad make excellent sides. Don’t forget to garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkling of sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave in a covered dish for 1-2 minutes or warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat. This dish also freezes well; simply store portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (FAQ)
Q: Can I use frozen chicken thighs for this recipe?A: Yes! Skip the searing step and increase pressure cook time to 12 minutes. The sauce may be a bit thinner, but the flavor remains delicious.
Q: How can I make this recipe dairy-free and gluten-free?A: The recipe is naturally dairy-free. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and confirm all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Q: Can I double the recipe for meal prep or entertaining?A: Absolutely! Double every ingredient and cook as directed. The cook time remains the same; just be sure not to overfill your Instant Pot past the “Max Fill†line.
You’ll fall in love with the sweet, garlicky, and absolutely mouthwatering sauce in this Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken! Try it for your next weeknight dinner, and don’t forget to leave a comment or rating below to let me know how it turned out. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 lb (about 8) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water (for slurry)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
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1Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add oil. Sear chicken thighs 2 minutes per side until lightly browned.
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2In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and water.
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3Pour sauce over chicken in Instant Pot. Seal lid and set valve to Sealing. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
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4Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
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5Remove chicken and set aside. Turn on Sauté mode. Stir together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water; add to sauce and simmer 2-3 minutes until thickened.
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6Return chicken to pot, toss to coat, and serve hot topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
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