Delicious Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken served with vegetables.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

ByOlivia Carter
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why make this recipe

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy and tasty dish that comes together quickly, making it great for busy weeknights. The sweetness of the honey and the flavor of the garlic create a wonderful sauce that pairs well with chicken. Plus, using the Instant Pot cuts down on cooking time, ensuring you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.

how to make Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. (750g) chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs)
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water (or chicken broth preferred)
  • 3 dashes cayenne pepper

Directions:

  1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is heated, add 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil. Pan-sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.
  4. Leave the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil, and add the garlic. Sauté the garlic briefly.
  5. Pour in the sauce and cover the lid. Select Manual and set to High pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. 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.

how to serve Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken over a bed of rice or alongside steamed vegetables. The sweet and savory sauce makes the dish perfect for pairing with fluffy white rice or quinoa. You can also sprinkle extra parsley on top for a touch of color.

how to store Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving. If you want to freeze it, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

tips to make Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Ensure the honey and sugar are fully dissolved for a smooth sauce.
  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for a few hours before cooking.
  • If you want more heat, add extra cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce.

variation

You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner meat. For a vegetarian option, use tofu or cauliflower, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they may cook faster, so adjust the cooking time to around 8 minutes on high pressure.

What can I serve with Honey Garlic Chicken?
This dish pairs well with rice, quinoa, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce in advance and marinate the chicken for extra flavor. Cook it in the Instant Pot when you’re ready to eat.

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Gluten-Free
Print Recipe

Description

A quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. (750g) chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs)
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water (or chicken broth preferred)
  • 3 dashes cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is heated, add 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil. Pan-sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.
  4. Leave the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil, and add the garlic. Sauté the garlic briefly.
  5. Pour in the sauce and cover the lid. Select Manual and set to High pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. 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

Serve over rice or alongside steamed vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

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Hi, I’m Olivia Carter. I’m 41 years old, born in Nashville, Tennessee, and now living in Denver, Colorado, where the mountains are as much a part of my inspiration as the markets I shop from. My kitchen is my safe place it smells of herbs, wood smoke, and sometimes just-baked bread cooling on the counter.

I didn’t grow up with professional chefs around me just hardworking parents and a grandmother who believed that love always started with a pot on the stove. She taught me how to make biscuits without a recipe, how to know when cornbread is ready just by the sound it makes, and how to never waste a single vegetable from the garden. Those lessons stuck with me more than anything I ever read in a cookbook.

My path here wasn’t simple. I started as a server, sneaking glances into the kitchen whenever I could. Eventually, I found myself behind the line, sweating through long shifts, burning my fingers, and learning faster than I thought possible. Later, I studied culinary arts in New York, but I’ve always said the best training came from real kitchens, real mistakes, and real people who pushed me to keep going.

Today, my cooking is rooted in Southern tradition but shaped by everywhere I’ve traveled and everything I’ve tasted. I love the balance of smoky barbecue with bright citrus, the sweetness of honey paired with a kick of chili, and the way fresh herbs can lift even the simplest dish. Food, to me, is about contrast it should surprise you while still feeling like home.

I cook for people who want food that tells a story. I believe meals should connect us to memory, to family, to joy. It’s not about perfection or fancy plating it’s about sitting down, taking a bite, and feeling something.

If you’ve ever laughed around a messy kitchen table, licked barbecue sauce off your fingers, or found comfort in a bowl of soup on a hard day, then you already understand what my cooking is about. Welcome I can’t wait to share it with you.

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