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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4 from 4 reviews

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe offers a quick and delicious weeknight meal featuring juicy boneless chicken thighs seared and cooked to perfection in a sticky, flavorful honey garlic sauce. Inspired by Chinese takeout, this dish combines savory, sweet, and mildly spicy notes for a satisfying dinner in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. (750g) boneless chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 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: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and ground black pepper. Set aside to allow the flavors to settle.
  2. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, sugar (or brown sugar), soy sauce, water or chicken broth, and cayenne pepper. Stir well until the honey and sugar are fully dissolved. Set aside.
  3. Preheat the Instant Pot: Turn on the Instant Pot and select the ‘Sauté’ mode. Once heated, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pot.
  4. Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the hot oil. Brown each side until nicely golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor and texture.
  5. Sauté Garlic and Add Sauce: Leaving the chicken in the pot, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken.
  6. Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ mode and set the timer for 10 minutes on high pressure.
  7. Release Pressure and Finish: When cooking completes, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting. Once the pressure is fully released, remove the lid cautiously. Stir in the chopped parsley for freshness.
  8. Serve: Serve the honey garlic chicken immediately, spooning the sticky sauce over the top. Pairs well with steamed rice or vegetables.

Notes

  • After searing, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to enhance the sauce flavor and prevent the Instant Pot from triggering a “Burn” error.
  • The sauce amounts to approximately 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup), which is the minimum liquid required for a 6-quart Instant Pot to build pressure properly.
  • For a keto-friendly version, substitute honey and sugar with sugar-free sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol, and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
  • If the sauce tastes too sweet, balance it with a splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice to cut the sweetness without making it sour.
  • This recipe can also be adapted for the oven (375°F for 30-40 minutes), slow cooker (6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high), or stovetop (sear chicken then simmer in sauce until tender).

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/instant-pot-honey-garlic-chicken-recipe/