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Honey Garlic Chicken cooked in an Instant Pot for a quick and tasty meal.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

A delightful and easy dish featuring tender chicken thighs in a sweet and sticky garlic sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Comfort Food
Calories: 330
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs 1 1/2 lbs. chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs) Juicy and tender, perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.
  • 1 pinch Salt To enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper Adds warmth and complexity.
  • 1.5 tablespoons 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil For that perfect sear.
  • 4 cloves 4 cloves garlic (minced) Brings depth to the dish.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons honey Sweet component that harmonizes with the garlic.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon sugar (or brown sugar) Enhances sweetness and promotes caramelization.
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons soy sauce Adds savory depth and umami richness.
  • 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons water (or chicken broth) Helps develop the luscious sauce.
  • 3 dashes 3 dashes cayenne pepper Adds a hint of heat to balance the sweetness.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Mix together all ingredients for the Honey Garlic Sauce: honey, sugar, soy sauce, water (or chicken broth), and cayenne pepper. Stir until honey and sugar dissolve completely. Set sauce aside.
Cooking
  1. Turn on the Sauté mode on your Instant Pot. Once heated, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
  2. Place the chicken thighs in the pot, skin side down first. Sear until both sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for just a minute until fragrant, but do not let it burn.
  4. Pour the Honey Garlic Sauce over the chicken, ensuring everything is well coated. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, select the Manual setting, and set pressure to High for 10 minutes.
  5. Once cooking time is up, perform a Quick Release. Remove the lid carefully, avoiding steam.
  6. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve immediately, drenching in the sauce.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for a few hours. You can also substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. For thicker sauce, remove chicken and use Sauté function to reduce the sauce.