Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (Video Tutorial)

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a simple, flavorful way to use chicken thighs. Brown the thighs, pour in a homemade honey-garlic sauce, and pressure-cook for an easy weeknight dinner.

This recipe is almost effortless and delivers a pleasant sweet-savory finish. Honey garlic chicken in the Instant Pot is quick to prepare and packed with flavor.

What Cut of Chicken To Use

Bone-in chicken thighs are what I used and they work wonderfully, but this method adapts well to other cuts. Boneless breasts, tenderloins, or drumsticks will also work—just adjust the cook time to match the thickness of the pieces. The sauce complements most cuts of chicken, so swap as needed.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the sauce. In a bowl whisk together the water, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves and the honey is incorporated.

Step 2: Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté, add oil, and when hot place the chicken skin-side down to brown.

Step 3: After the chicken is browned, add the minced garlic and stir briefly. Turn off Sauté.

Step 4: Pour the sauce over the chicken, scraping the pot gently with a wooden spoon to release any stuck bits (this helps prevent a burn notice). Close the lid, seal the vent, and cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. Use a quick release when the time is up.

When finished, check the internal temperature (see guidance below). If needed, add 5 more minutes of cooking depending on chicken thickness. Remove the chicken, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with parsley if desired.

What to Serve With Chicken

• Salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Roasted or steamed vegetables
• Coleslaw
• Cucumber and onion salad
• Pasta

This Instant Pot honey garlic chicken pairs well with many sides—pick your favorites for a complete meal.

How To Know Chicken Is Done

The most reliable method is a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone; the safe internal temperature is 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, slice into a piece to ensure juices run clear and the flesh is opaque with no pink remaining.

Craving More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

• Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken — shredded chicken in a homemade teriyaki sauce.
• Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas — an easy way to enjoy fajitas any weeknight.
• Instant Pot Chicken Caesar Wraps — light, refreshing wraps for lunch or dinner.
• BBQ Shredded Chicken — great on buns, baked potatoes, or rice.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 3 (3–4 chicken thighs)

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful, easy recipe: brown chicken thighs, add a simple honey-garlic sauce, and pressure-cook.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 3–4 chicken thighs (bone-in recommended)
• Salt and pepper, to season
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons water
• Parsley, optional for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together water, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar until combined and the sugar dissolves.
2. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper.
3. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the oil. When hot, place chicken skin-side down and sear until browned.
4. Add minced garlic and stir briefly, then turn off Sauté.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Use a wooden spoon to lift any stuck bits from the pot to avoid a burn error.
6. Close the lid, ensure the vent is sealed, and cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. Use a quick release.
7. Confirm the chicken’s internal temperature is 165°F (74°C). If it’s not fully cooked, return to pressure for a few more minutes as needed.
8. Remove the chicken, spoon sauce over the pieces, and sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve with your favorite sides.

Notes

Boneless chicken or drumsticks can be used; adjust cook time for thickness. To make a larger batch, sear the chicken in batches and double the sauce.

Nutrition

Per serving: Calories 484 kcal | Carbs 15 g | Protein 39 g | Fat 31 g | Sugar 14 g | Sodium 906 mg

Have you tried this Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken?