Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

If you love Chinese takeout flavors but want something faster (and healthier) at home, Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is about to become your new weeknight obsession. This recipe delivers everything you crave from restaurant-style honey garlic chicken—tender, juicy chicken, a sticky-sweet glossy sauce, and that irresistible garlic-forward savory bite—without deep frying, without complicated steps, and without a long ingredient list.

The best part? You can get it on the table in about 20 minutes, including cook time. That means on busy evenings when you’re tired, hungry, and don’t want a sink full of dishes, this recipe still feels like a win.

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) uses simple pantry ingredients (honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar) to create a sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken. When served over fluffy jasmine rice with a side of broccoli or stir-fried veggies, it’s the kind of meal that feels comforting, satisfying, and honestly… better than takeout.

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Why This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Works So Well

Instant Pot recipes are popular because they’re fast, reliable, and hands-off. But some pressure cooker meals can taste “flat” if you skip flavor-building steps. This recipe avoids that problem by using one game-changing technique:

✅ Searing first

Browning the chicken thighs before pressure cooking builds a deep, savory base. Those golden bits stuck to the bottom of the pot (fond) dissolve into the sauce during pressure cooking, giving the whole dish a richer “restaurant” taste.

✅ Balanced sauce flavor

Honey makes it sweet and sticky, soy sauce brings salt and umami, garlic provides punch, and a small amount of cayenne gives it gentle heat. The result is a sauce that tastes bold and addictive—sweet, salty, garlicky, and glossy.

✅ Chicken thighs stay juicy

Boneless chicken thighs are extremely forgiving. Even under pressure, they stay tender instead of drying out like chicken breast sometimes can.

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) — The Recipe

Recipe Overview

• Keyword: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Cuisine: Asian-inspired / Chinese takeout style

• Method: Instant Pot (Pressure Cook)

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Ingredients

Chicken

• 1½ lbs (750g) boneless chicken thighs (about 4 thighs)

• Salt, to taste

• Ground black pepper, to taste

• 1½ tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or canola)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 3 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp sugar (or brown sugar for deeper flavor)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 3 tbsp water (or chicken broth for richer flavor)

• 3 dashes cayenne pepper (optional)

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Step-by-Step Instructions (Instant Pot Method)

1) Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (this helps them brown better), then season both sides with:

• salt

• black pepper

Set aside while you mix your sauce.

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2) Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a bowl, combine:

• honey

• sugar

• soy sauce

• water (or chicken broth)

• cayenne pepper

Stir well until the honey and sugar dissolve completely.

✅ Tip: If your honey is thick or cold, warm it for 5–10 seconds in the microwave so it mixes easily.

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3) Sear the Chicken (Sauté Mode)

Turn your Instant Pot on Sauté.

Add 1 tbsp oil, then place chicken thighs in a single layer.

Sear for:

• 2–3 minutes per side

You’re not cooking through—just browning the outside to build flavor.

Transfer chicken to a plate briefly (optional, but makes garlic sautéing easier).

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4) Add Garlic + Sauce

Add the remaining ½ tbsp oil (if needed), then sauté minced garlic for 20–30 seconds until fragrant.

⚠️ Don’t burn the garlic—burnt garlic will make the sauce bitter.

Pour in the honey garlic sauce and stir well, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom.

Return chicken to the pot (if removed).

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5) Pressure Cook

Close the lid and set valve to Sealing.

Select:

• Manual / Pressure Cook

• High Pressure

• 10 minutes

The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure, then it will start counting down.

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6) Quick Release + Finish

When cooking time ends:

• do a Quick Release carefully (use a towel/spoon to avoid steam burns)

Open the lid and spoon sauce over the chicken.

Garnish with parsley (optional) and serve right away.

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How to Thicken the Honey Garlic Sauce (Optional but Recommended)

If you want that sticky glossy takeout-style sauce, there are two easy methods:

Option 1: Reduce the Sauce

Turn on Sauté after pressure cooking.
Simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes until it thickens.

Option 2: Cornstarch Slurry (Best for a Thick Sticky Finish)

Mix:

• 1 tsp cornstarch

• 2 tsp water

Stir into the sauce while on Sauté and cook for 1 minute.

✅ This creates that shiny “glaze” texture everyone loves.

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Best Side Dishes (Serving Ideas)

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up sauce.

Classic Pairings

• Steamed jasmine rice

• Basmati rice

• Fried rice

• Garlic noodles

Veggie Pairings

• Stir-fried broccoli (best choice)

• Steamed green beans

• Honey roasted carrots

• Sautéed bell peppers + onions

Fresh Crunchy Side Ideas

• Sesame cucumber salad

• Asian slaw

• Pickled carrots or quick pickles

✅ Pro serving tip: Put rice on the plate first, add chicken, then spoon lots of sauce on top.

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Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

✅ Use chicken thighs

Chicken thighs give you the best juicy result and the most flavor.

If using chicken breast, reduce cook time to 7–8 minutes to prevent dryness.

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✅ Always sear first

You can technically skip it, but searing transforms the flavor from “okay” to “WOW.”

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✅ Use broth instead of water

Chicken broth makes the sauce taste richer, more savory, and more restaurant-style.

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✅ Adjust sweetness

Love it sweeter? Add:

• 1 extra tablespoon honey

Prefer less sweet? Reduce honey to:

• 2½ tbsp

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✅ Spice control

Want it mild? Skip cayenne completely.

Want it spicy? Add:

• chili flakes

• extra cayenne

• a little sriracha (after cooking)

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Meal Prep + Storage (Perfect for Leftovers)

This recipe is incredible for meal prep because the sauce keeps the chicken moist even after reheating.

Refrigerate

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze

Freeze chicken + sauce up to 2 months.

✅ Freeze with rice for a complete meal-prep box.

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How to Reheat (Without Drying It Out)

Microwave method

• Add chicken + sauce to a plate

• Cover loosely

• Microwave 60–90 seconds

Stovetop method (best)

• Add chicken and sauce to skillet

• Heat gently on low

• Add a splash of water/broth if needed

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Variations (Make It Your Own)

One of the best things about Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is how flexible it is.

1) Sesame Honey Garlic Chicken

Add after cooking:

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• sesame seeds

2) Honey Garlic Ginger Chicken

Add to sauce:

• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger (or ½ tsp ground ginger)

3) Orange Honey Garlic Chicken

Add to sauce:

• 2 tbsp orange juice

• ½ tsp orange zest

4) Honey Garlic Chicken with Veggies

After cooking, add:

• steamed broccoli florets

• snap peas

• sliced carrots

Stir into the sauce and let simmer 1–2 minutes.

Print

Nutrition (Estimated Per Serving)

(Based on 4 servings, sauce included)

• Calories: ~320

• Protein: ~28g

• Fat: ~14g

• Carbs: ~18g

• Sugar: ~14g

(Values vary based on honey amount and whether thickener is used.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken thighs?

Yes, but you should skip searing (can’t safely sear frozen chicken) and increase pressure cook time to 13–15 minutes depending on thickness.

For best flavor: thaw first and sear.

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Can I double this recipe?

Yes! Just don’t overcrowd during searing—sear in batches.

Pressure cook time stays the same.

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Does honey burn in the Instant Pot?

Not during pressure cooking because there’s liquid (water/broth). However, don’t sauté honey directly in an empty pot—always mix it into the sauce first.

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a fast weeknight meal that tastes like your favorite takeout order—but made at home with simple ingredients—this Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is the recipe you need in your rotation.

It’s sweet, savory, garlicky, glossy, and comforting, with tender chicken that stays juicy every single time. And because it’s made in the Instant Pot, you get that incredible flavor in minutes instead of hours—without babysitting the stove.