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If you love takeout-style honey garlic chicken but don’t want to spend money (or wait for delivery), this Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a game-changer! It’s packed with sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors, plus the Instant Pot does all the hard work in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice or noodles for a meal that’s better than takeout!
👉 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup (or 2 tablespoons tomato paste + 1 tablespoon water)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ cup water
To Thicken the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Serving:
- Cooked rice or noodles
- Sliced green onions & sesame seeds for garnish
👉 Directions
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken (Optional, But Adds Flavor!)
- Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add a little oil.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then brown it for 2-3 minutes. (You can skip this step, but it adds extra depth to the flavor!)
Step 2: Make the Sauce & Pressure Cook
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and water.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to coat.
- Close the lid, set the valve to “Sealing”, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once done, allow a 5-minute natural release, then do a quick release for the remaining pressure.
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry.
- Turn the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode, stir in the slurry, and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
- Spoon the honey garlic chicken over steamed rice or noodles.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, and enjoy!
⭐ What Sides Go Well with This Dish?
- Steamed Broccoli – A fresh, crunchy contrast to the sweet and sticky sauce.
- Stir-Fried Veggies – Bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots make a colorful side.
- Egg Rolls or Dumplings – Because who doesn’t love a little extra crunch?
🔄 Time-Saving Tips
- Use pre-minced garlic and ginger (found in jars) to cut down on prep time.
- Skip the sautéing step and just dump everything in the Instant Pot for an even faster meal.
- Serve with microwavable rice to keep things quick and easy.
🧒 Kid-Friendly Tweaks
- Skip the red pepper flakes if your little ones don’t like spice.
- Add a little extra honey for a sweeter, milder flavor.
- Serve with plain rice or noodles on the side for picky eaters.
🔄 Ingredient Swaps
- No honey? Use brown sugar or maple syrup.
- No soy sauce? Try coconut aminos or low-sodium teriyaki sauce.
- No cornstarch? Use flour or arrowroot powder for thickening.
This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with just the right amount of sticky goodness! Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend craving, this dish is always a hit. Try it out and let me know how your family loves it! 🍯🍗✨
