Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is my go to dinner for those nights when I am tired, hungry, and dangerously close to ordering takeout. You know the feeling, you open the fridge, stare for a second, and hope a full meal magically appears. This recipe is that magic, except it is real and it comes from your Instant Pot. It is sweet, garlicky, a little sticky, and honestly the kind of chicken that makes plain rice exciting. If you are trying to get dinner on the table without a big mess, you are in the right place.
Recipe Ingredients
This is a short list with big flavor. I try to keep these ingredients stocked because they come in handy for a lot of weeknight meals, not just this one. If you like cozy sauces and easy chicken dinners, you might also want to check out my other pressure cooker favorite, easy Instant Pot chicken and rice one pot, because it saves my sanity on busy days.
- Chicken: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if that is what you have)
- Honey: 1/3 cup
- Soy sauce: 1/3 cup low sodium
- Garlic: 5 to 6 cloves, minced (yes, really)
- Ketchup: 2 tablespoons (it helps round out the sauce)
- Rice vinegar: 1 tablespoon (or apple cider vinegar)
- Water or chicken broth: 1/2 cup
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry
- Sesame oil (optional): 1 teaspoon for a finish
- Salt and pepper: a little, depending on your soy sauce
- Green onions and sesame seeds (optional): for topping
Ingredient note: If you are using chicken breasts, be extra careful not to overcook. They still taste great, but thighs stay juicier in the Instant Pot, which is why I reach for them most of the time.
How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken in the Instant Pot
I love this method because it feels almost too easy. You do a quick stir, set it, and then you get to breathe for a minute. If you are an Instant Pot fan like me, and you enjoy bold sauces, you might also like easy Instant Pot butter chicken Indian tikka for another cozy dinner vibe.
Step by step directions
Here is how I make Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken when my brain is in weeknight mode.
1) Mix the sauce.
In a bowl, stir together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, vinegar, and water or broth. Give it a taste. You are looking for sweet and savory with a little tang.
2) Add chicken and sauce to the pot.
Place the chicken in the Instant Pot. Pour the sauce over it. Use tongs to flip the chicken once so it is coated.
3) Pressure cook.
Put the lid on and set valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure.
For thighs: 9 minutes.
For breasts: 7 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness.
4) Quick release, then thicken.
When the timer is done, do a quick release carefully. Remove chicken to a plate. Turn on saute. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then pour it in while stirring. The sauce will thicken in 1 to 3 minutes.
5) Coat and serve.
Put the chicken back in and spoon that glossy sauce all over. Add sesame oil if you are using it, then top with green onions and sesame seeds.
“Made this on a Wednesday when I had zero energy. The sauce tasted like something from a restaurant, and my kids actually asked for seconds. Instant Pot win.”
Recipe Tips
This recipe is pretty forgiving, but a few small tricks make it even better. These are the little things I have learned after making Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken more times than I can count.
My best real life tips
Use thighs for the juiciest result. Breasts work, but thighs give you that tender bite that soaks up sauce like a sponge.
Do not skip the vinegar. It is not there to make it sour. It just keeps the honey from tasting flat and helps the whole sauce pop.
Thicken after pressure cooking. Cornstarch can act weird under pressure. Thickening at the end gives you that sticky, clingy sauce that makes this dish so good.
Want heat? Add red pepper flakes or a spoon of chili garlic sauce. I do this when I am cooking for just adults.
If your sauce is too salty (this can happen with regular soy sauce), add a splash of water and a little more honey, then simmer for a minute.
Also, if you are into easy chicken you can shred for tacos or bowls, my slow cooker friend swears by crockpot queso chicken easy slow cooker taco filling. Totally different flavor, but the same easy dinner energy.
Serving Suggestions
This is the fun part because the sauce plays nice with a lot of sides. When I make Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken, I usually choose something that can catch all that extra sauce.
- Steamed rice: jasmine, basmati, or brown rice
- Mashed potatoes: sounds odd but it is so comforting
- Broccoli: steamed or roasted, perfect with the sauce
- Green beans: quick saute with a little garlic
- Simple salad: something crunchy to balance the sweetness
If you want a crispy side without turning on the oven, I have been making easy air fryer chicken breast and potatoes on other nights, and the potato part is honestly a great pairing idea here too. Air fryer potatoes plus this sticky chicken is a very happy plate
Storing and Reheating
This recipe is great for leftovers, and the sauce actually gets even better after it sits overnight. I like making a double batch if I know the next day is going to be chaotic.
How to store:
Let the chicken cool down, then store it in an airtight container with plenty of sauce. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to freeze:
Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
How to reheat:
Reheat in a skillet over medium low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too, just cover it and heat in short bursts so the chicken stays tender.
One more quick note: if you reheat and the sauce looks thick like jelly, do not panic. It loosens up fast with a little heat and a tiny splash of water.
Common Questions
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but I recommend thawing if you can for the best texture. If you cook from frozen, add 3 to 4 minutes to the pressure cook time and make sure the pieces are not stuck together.
Will this work with chicken wings or drumsticks?
It can, but you will need a little more time and it is harder to get an even cook if the pieces are different sizes. I stick to thighs or breasts for consistency.
How do I keep the sauce from getting too sweet?
Use low sodium soy sauce and do not skip the vinegar. You can also cut the honey down to 1/4 cup if you prefer a less sweet flavor.
Do I have to sear the chicken first?
Nope. You can sear if you want a little extra flavor, but this recipe is designed for minimal steps and it still tastes great without searing.
What if I do not have cornstarch?
You can use flour, but it needs a bit longer to cook out and it will not get quite as glossy. Arrowroot works too, just thicken gently and do not boil hard.
A cozy weeknight dinner you will actually repeat
If you have been craving a simple, sticky, family friendly chicken dinner, Easy Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is the one I would tell you to make first. It is fast, the ingredients are basic, and the sauce feels like a little treat on a regular night. If you want to compare versions, these are two solid recipes I have looked at before and pulled inspiration from: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken – Family Fresh Meals and Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken – Diethood. Try it once, tweak it to your taste, and do not be surprised when it ends up on your weekly rotation.
