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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet and savory dish that the whole family will love. The tender chicken thighs are coated in a luscious honey garlic sauce, making it a perfect easy weeknight dinner. Serve it over rice or veggies for a satisfying meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Frying Pan
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Chef's Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
  • to taste salt
  • to taste ground black pepper
  • 1.5 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water or chicken broth (preferred)
  • 3 dashes cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Season the chicken thighs with salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.
  • Mix all the ingredients in the honey garlic sauce together and stir to mix well. Make sure the honey and sugar are completely dissolved. Set aside.
  • Turn on the sauté mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is heated, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Pan-sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.
  • Leave the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil, and add the garlic. Sauté the garlic a little bit.
  • Pour in the sauce and cover the lid. Select Manual and set to High pressure for 10 minutes.
  • When it beeps, turn to Quick Release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully, add the chopped parsley, and serve the Instant Pot chicken with honey garlic sauce immediately.

Notes

  • Tip 1: After searing the chicken, use a wooden spoon to scrape all those tasty browned bits off the bottom. This adds flavor and prevents the Instant Pot from showing a “Burn” error.
  • Tip 2: The sauce equals 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup of liquid content, the minimum amount for a 6-quart Instant Pot.
  • Tip 3: For a keto version, use a sugar-free alternative and swap out soy sauce for coconut aminos.
  • Tip 4: If the sauce is too sweet, balance it with a splash of rice vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Tip 5: Adapt this recipe for your oven, slow cooker, or stovetop.
Keyword Easy Chicken Recipes, honey garlic chicken, Instant Pot Recipes, weeknight dinner ideas