4.5 from 745 votes
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken features seared chicken thighs cooked in a honey and soy sauce-based garlic sauce, combining sweet, savory, and spicy flavors with a touch of cayenne pepper. The use of pressure cooking allows the chicken to become tender and infused with the sauce while preserving juiciness. This dish is adaptable for different cooking methods and flavor adjustments, making it a practical choice for flavorful weeknight meals.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
people
Calories:
484 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
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
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients in the Honey Garlic Sauce together and stir to mix well. Make sure the honey and sugar are completely dissolved. Set aside.
- Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is heated, add 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil. Pan-sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.
- Leave the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil, and add the garlic. Saute the garlic a little bit. Pour in the sauce and cover the lid. Select Manual and set to High pressure for 10 minutes.
- When it beeps, turn to Quick Release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully, add the chopped parsley, and serve the Instant Pot chicken with honey garlic sauce immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- After searing chicken thighs, scraping the browned bits from the bottom adds flavor and prevents a burn warning on the Instant Pot.
- The sauce quantity equals about 1/2 cup liquid, which meets the minimum needed for a 6-quart Instant Pot.
- For a keto-friendly version, replace honey and sugar with monk fruit or erythritol and soy sauce with coconut aminos.
- Balancing the sauce with a splash of rice vinegar or lemon juice can reduce sweetness without adding sourness.
- This recipe is adaptable for oven (375°F for 30-40 minutes), slow cooker (6-8 hours on low), or stovetop simmering after searing.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
484kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
(41%)
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
167mg
(56%)
Sodium
677mg
(28%)
Potassium
411mg
(9%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
529IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 484
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 484kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 167mg | 56% |
| Sodium | 677mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 411mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 529IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.