Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Tender chicken breasts are smothered in a luscious, sticky, sweet, and savory honey-garlic sauce, all made effortlessly in your pressure cooker.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

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Around here, we’re obsessed with honey garlic chicken! Whether it’s transformed into delectable wings, juicy breasts, or flavorful thighs, this flavor combination is always a hit. That’s why we’re so excited to share our super easy 7-ingredient Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken recipe with you!

My husband has become a true Instant Pot pro! He uses it constantly, experimenting with all kinds of meats and even using it to tenderize smoked proteins. The best part about this particular recipe? Dry chicken is simply not an option. The pressure cooker seals in all the moisture, resulting in incredibly juicy chicken every time. Plus, the preset timer ensures perfectly cooked chicken – no overcooking here! It’s easy, it’s simple, and we absolutely love it.

This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient for busy weeknights. The Instant Pot drastically reduces cooking time, making it a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still want a wholesome and flavorful meal.

The honey garlic sauce is the star of the show, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes that tantalize your taste buds. The combination of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and other carefully selected ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that perfectly complements the chicken.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

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All ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are available in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. Keep scrolling to find it!

Ingredient Spotlight and Substitution Tips

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CHICKEN – For this recipe, we’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They consistently turn out juicy and incredibly tender. Make sure to trim off any excess fat from the chicken before cooking. Don’t throw away those trimmings! You can either discard them or freeze them for later use when making homemade chicken stock. Chicken thighs can also be used; they will result in even more tender and flavorful results due to their higher fat content. Adjust cooking time accordingly if using chicken thighs.

SAUCE – The sauce is where the magic happens! A harmonious blend of soy sauce, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, brown sugar, honey, and garlic salt creates an unbelievably flavorful combination. This sauce is what makes this dish truly special. For a richer flavor, consider using dark soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce. If you don’t have white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute.

THICKENER – To achieve that signature sticky sauce, we like to thicken it up a bit by adding a simple cornstarch slurry. This step is optional, so if you prefer a looser sauce, feel free to skip the slurry altogether. Tapioca starch can be used as an alternative to cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Simply use the same amount as you would cornstarch.

Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat. Fresh ginger, grated or minced, can also be added to the sauce to enhance the flavor profile.

How to Make Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken: Step-by-Step Guide

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These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize the cooking process. For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, complete with ingredient measurements and instructions, Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. In a medium-sized bowl or measuring cup, combine all the honey garlic sauce ingredients. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth. This helps to emulsify the ingredients and create a consistent flavor. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can whisk the ingredients together thoroughly.
2. Prepare the chicken by trimming off any excess fat. Trimming the fat ensures that the chicken absorbs the flavors of the sauce better and prevents the sauce from becoming overly greasy.
3. Place the trimmed chicken breasts into the honey garlic sauce. If you have ample time, marinating the chicken in the sauce for a couple of hours will intensify the flavors and make the chicken even more tender. If you’re short on time, simply remove the chicken from the sauce and set it aside on a plate.
4. Pour the remaining honey garlic sauce into the pressure cooker insert. Add ½ cup of water to the insert. The water helps to create steam, which is essential for pressure cooking and ensuring that the chicken cooks evenly.
   

   

5. Place the trivet or rack inside the pressure cooker insert. Carefully arrange the chicken breasts on top of the rack. The rack prevents the chicken from sitting directly in the sauce, which helps to ensure that it cooks evenly and doesn’t become waterlogged.
   

   

6. Seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring that the pressure valve is set to the “sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and set the cooking time for 15 minutes on high pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release. Be cautious during the quick release, as hot steam will be released.
   

   

7. Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and place them on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Cutting the chicken into smaller pieces makes it easier to eat and allows it to absorb more of the sauce.
   

   

8. Remove the rack from the Instant Pot insert. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the insert to remove any honey crystals that may have formed during cooking.
9. Switch the Instant Pot setting to “Sauté”. Bring the honey garlic sauce to a boil, stirring occasionally. This will help to concentrate the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
   

   

10. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the boiling honey garlic sauce. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
    

    

11. Add the bite-sized chicken chunks to the thickened honey garlic sauce. Stir to coat the chicken thoroughly and heat through for a couple of minutes.
    

    

12. Remove the insert from the Instant Pot as soon as the chicken is heated through. Leaving the insert in the Instant Pot will cause the chicken to continue cooking, as the appliance takes a while to cool down.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

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Expert Tip: For an even more intense honey garlic flavor, add an extra tablespoon of honey and an additional clove of minced garlic to the sauce.

Expert Tip: Garnish the finished dish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.

FAQ: Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but you will need to increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes. Ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

FAQ: Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot? While this recipe is optimized for the Instant Pot, you can adapt it for stovetop cooking. Simply simmer the chicken in the honey garlic sauce over medium heat until cooked through, then thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.

Serving Suggestions for Your Honey Garlic Chicken

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Serve your flavorful Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken over fluffy rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Pair it with steamed vegetables on the side, such as broccoli, green beans, or snap peas, for a complete and balanced meal. Quinoa or noodles are also excellent alternatives to rice.

More Delicious Honey Garlic Recipes to Try

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• Honey Garlic Tofu: A delicious vegetarian alternative with the same irresistible honey garlic flavor.
• Honey Garlic Shrimp: A quick and easy seafood dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal.
• Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade: Use this marinade to create flavorful grilled or baked chicken.
• Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry: A classic stir-fry with a sweet and savory twist.

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