Homemade Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe in Your Instant Pot

Succulent chicken meets sweet and tangy flavors in this mouthwatering Instant Pot honey garlic chicken recipe that promises to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine.

The tender meat practically melts in your mouth with each savory bite.

Packed with robust garlic and golden honey, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results in minutes.

Home cooks adore how effortlessly the ingredients blend to create a stunning meal that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.

The Instant Pot works its magic, infusing every morsel with rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Each forkful brings a perfect balance of sweetness and zest that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Prepare to be amazed by this simple yet extraordinary culinary creation that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dining experience.

What Makes This Honey Garlic Chicken Irresistible

• Combine sweet honey, savory garlic, and a hint of cayenne for a mouthwatering dish that tantalizes taste buds and elevates everyday meals.
• Perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or meal prep, this recipe adapts easily to different dietary preferences and serves up deliciousness in minutes.
• Designed for both novice and experienced cooks, the step-by-step instructions ensure perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every single time with zero guesswork.

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken in the Instant Pot

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs the honey garlic sauce and provides the primary protein for the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that help amplify the natural taste of the chicken.
• Honey, Sugar: Sweet ingredients that create a rich, caramelized glaze for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the sauce.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and complexity to the overall taste.

• Garlic: Brings a pungent and bold flavor that complements the sweetness of the sauce.
• Cooking Oil: Helps with searing the chicken and preventing sticking.
• Water or Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and helps create the sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright color and light, fresh flavor to the finished dish.

Instructions for a Sweet and Savory Chicken Dish

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Thighs

Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.

Step 2: Create Flavor Sauce

Whisk together honey, sugar, soy sauce, water, and cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl until sugar completely dissolves.

The sauce should have a smooth, consistent texture with no sugar crystals remaining.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Activate Instant Pot’s sauté mode and heat cooking oil.

Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, searing until golden brown.

Flip and brown the opposite side to lock in rich, caramelized flavors.

• Cooking oil
• Chicken thighs

Step 4: Add Aromatic Garlic

Introduce minced garlic to the pot, sautéing briefly until fragrant.

Pour prepared honey garlic sauce over chicken, coating evenly.

• Minced garlic
• Honey garlic sauce

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Secure Instant Pot lid and set to Manual mode on High pressure for 10 minutes.

Perform quick pressure release after cooking time completes.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Remove lid carefully.

Sprinkle chopped parsley over chicken for fresh visual appeal.

Transfer chicken to serving plate and drizzle remaining sauce generously.

Tips to Get the Sauce Just Right

• Sear chicken thighs thoroughly to lock in juices and create a delicious golden-brown exterior before pressure cooking.
• Dissolve sugar completely in the sauce to avoid potential burn notices and ensure smooth, even cooking in the Instant Pot.
• Sauté garlic briefly to release its aromatic oils without burning, which adds depth and prevents bitter flavors.
• Pour sauce evenly over chicken to ensure every piece gets coated with the sweet and savory honey garlic mixture.
• Use careful, controlled quick release to prevent splattering and maintain the chicken's tender texture.

Storing and Reheating Honey Garlic Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain texture.
• Pack chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, add small splash of chicken broth to keep moist. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

What Goes Well with Sweet Garlic Chicken

• Pair Savory Soy with Crisp Riesling: A light, slightly sweet German Riesling cuts through the rich honey garlic sauce, balancing the dish's bold flavors with its crisp acidity.
• Complement Chicken with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare oven-roasted Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots to mirror the sweet and savory notes of the chicken, creating a harmonious plate.
• Create Texture Contrast with Coconut Rice: Fluffy coconut rice provides a creamy, soft backdrop that soaks up the delicious sauce while offering a gentle tropical undertone to the meal.
• Enhance Dining with Pickled Cucumber Salad: A quick pickle of thinly sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar and dill adds a tangy, refreshing element that cuts through the chicken's richness and cleanses the palate.

Creative Variations for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Keto-Friendly Version: Replace honey with sugar-free honey alternative or monk fruit sweetener. Use skinless chicken thighs and reduce total liquid to maintain lower carbohydrate profile. Add extra garlic and herbs for enhanced flavor complexity.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to eliminate gluten. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly broth or sauce components. Maintain original cooking method and seasoning technique.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos. Replace salt with herb blend like dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning. Select low-sodium chicken broth to control overall salt content.
• Spicy Lover's Variation: Increase cayenne pepper quantity or add sriracha sauce for heat. Include red pepper flakes during cooking process. Incorporate fresh jalapeños or chili oil for additional spicy kick. Balance heat with extra honey for sweet-spicy profile.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe?

The key ingredients are chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, cayenne pepper, and parsley. The combination creates a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor profile that makes this dish delicious.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but be careful with cooking time. Chicken breasts tend to dry out faster, so reduce the cooking time to about 8 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain moisture.

• How spicy is this recipe with the cayenne pepper?

The cayenne pepper adds just a mild kick of heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount or omit it completely. For those who love more heat, you can increase the amount of cayenne to suit your taste preferences.

• Do I need a special type of Instant Pot for this recipe?

No, this recipe works with any standard Instant Pot model. As long as your Instant Pot has a sauté and manual/pressure cook function, you’ll be able to make this honey garlic chicken recipe successfully.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken delivers a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Quick weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this simple yet impressive meal that brings restaurant-quality taste directly to your table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (750 grams) chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs)

Seasoning and Spices:

• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 3 dashes cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar or brown sugar

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1.5 tablespoons cooking oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons water or chicken broth

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both surfaces, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Create a harmonious sauce by whisking together honey, sugar, soy sauce, water (or chicken broth), and cayenne pepper until completely smooth and sugar dissolves completely.
3. Activate Instant Pot’s “Sauté” function and heat cooking oil, then strategically place chicken thighs skin-side down to achieve a rich golden-brown sear for approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
4. After achieving beautiful caramelization, introduce minced garlic and quickly toast for 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.
5. Pour prepared honey garlic sauce directly over seared chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful liquid.
6. Secure Instant Pot lid and program to “Manual” high pressure for 10 minutes, allowing chicken to cook thoroughly and absorb sauce’s complex flavors.
7. Once cooking cycle completes, perform a quick pressure release by carefully shifting valve position, releasing steam safely.
8. Open lid and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating visual appeal and introducing a bright, herbaceous note.
9. Transfer chicken to serving platter, generously drizzling remaining sauce over the meat for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Notes

• Ensure the honey mixture is well-stirred to avoid sugar crystallization, which can trigger a burn notice in the Instant Pot.
• Sear chicken thighs skin-side down first for a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in maximum flavor and creates a beautiful presentation.
• Sauté garlic briefly to release its aromatic oils without burning, which can turn the flavor bitter and unpleasant.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative, or use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt intake for those watching their sodium levels.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 90mg