Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

If you love the sweet-and-savory magic of Chinese takeout but don’t want to wait for delivery (or deal with a pile of pans), Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is about to become your new go-to recipe. It’s sticky, garlicky, slightly sweet, and bursting with bold flavor—yet made with simple pantry staples you probably already have in your kitchen.

This recipe is everything a weeknight dinner should be: fast, easy, comforting, and repeat-worthy. Boneless chicken thighs get quickly seared for extra flavor, then pressure-cooked in a glossy honey garlic sauce that clings to every bite. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, which means you get restaurant-style flavor in a fraction of the time—and with minimal cleanup.

Whether you’re feeding your family after a busy day, meal prepping for the week, or craving that “takeout night” feeling at home, this Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) checks all the boxes. It’s tender, juicy, and saucy (in the best way), and it pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or crisp stir-fried veggies.

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Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

There are a lot of chicken recipes out there—but this one hits different. Here’s why people can’t stop making it:

✅ Ready in 20 Minutes

From prep to plate, this meal truly fits into a busy schedule. You get the comfort of a slow-cooked flavor—but in lightning speed.

✅ Big Takeout Flavor (No Takeout Price)

That sticky honey garlic sauce tastes like something from your favorite Asian restaurant, but it costs way less and uses clean ingredients.

✅ Juicy Chicken Every Single Time

Chicken thighs are very forgiving and stay incredibly tender in the Instant Pot, making them ideal for fast pressure cooking.

✅ Pantry Staples = Stress-Free Cooking

Honey, soy sauce, garlic… that’s basically the holy trinity of quick flavor. No complicated ingredients needed.

✅ Perfect for Meal Prep

The sauce tastes even better the next day. Make it once and enjoy it for lunch bowls, wraps, and rice plates all week.

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What Makes This Recipe “Takeout-Style”?

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) works because it balances four key flavors:

• Sweet from honey (and optional brown sugar)

• Savory from soy sauce

• Aromatic from garlic

• Heat from cayenne (optional but recommended!)

That sweet-savory combo creates the same satisfying “sticky glaze” taste you get from honey garlic chicken at restaurants. And the Instant Pot locks moisture into the chicken so it stays juicy even with a short cooking time.

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients, but each one plays an important role in making the sauce bold and balanced.

Chicken

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

• Salt, to taste

• Ground black pepper, to taste

• 1½ tablespoons cooking oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnish (optional but pretty)

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon sugar or brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons water or chicken broth (broth preferred)

• 3 dashes cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

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Ingredient Tips & Smart Substitutions

Want the best results? These quick tips will help you nail it the first time.

Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breast

While you can use chicken breast, boneless thighs are best for this recipe because:

• they stay juicy

• they don’t dry out easily

• they absorb flavor beautifully

If using chicken breast, reduce pressure cook time slightly and avoid overcooking.

Honey

Honey gives the sauce its glossy, sticky character. Any honey works:

• clover honey

• wildflower honey

• orange blossom honey

Soy Sauce

Use low sodium soy sauce if needed. You can also substitute:

• tamari (gluten-free)

• coconut aminos (less salty + slightly sweet)

Cayenne Pepper

This is optional but helps mimic that takeout “kick.” If you like spice, you can also use:

• red pepper flakes

• chili garlic sauce

• sriracha

Chicken Broth Instead of Water

Broth adds richness and makes the sauce taste deeper. It’s a small change with a big payoff.

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How to Make Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

This recipe is super simple and comes together in a few steps.

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Season chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Set aside.

Tip: Don’t skip seasoning. It makes the chicken taste flavorful from the inside out.

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Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a bowl, mix:

• honey

• sugar (or brown sugar)

• soy sauce

• water or broth

• cayenne (optional)

Stir well until fully dissolved.

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Step 3: Sear the Chicken (Sauté Mode)

Turn on Sauté on the Instant Pot. When hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.

Sear the chicken thighs until both sides are browned.

Why sear?
It adds caramelization and depth, giving you that authentic restaurant flavor.

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Step 4: Add Garlic + Sauce

Keep the chicken inside the Instant Pot.
Add remaining ½ tablespoon oil and minced garlic.

Sauté about 30 seconds (just until fragrant).

Then pour in the honey garlic sauce.

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Step 5: Pressure Cook

Close the lid and set valve to Sealing.

Select:

• Manual / High Pressure

• 10 minutes

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Step 6: Quick Release + Serve

When done, carefully perform a Quick Release.

Open the lid, sprinkle parsley on top, and serve immediately.

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Want a Thicker Sticky Sauce? (Best Trick!)

Takeout honey garlic chicken usually has a thicker glaze. If you want that extra sticky sauce, you have two options:

Option 1: Reduce the Sauce (No Cornstarch)

After pressure cooking:

1. Remove chicken temporarily

2. Set to Sauté

3. Simmer sauce 2–3 minutes until reduced

Option 2: Cornstarch Slurry (Fastest + Thickest)

Mix:

• 1 tsp cornstarch

• 2 tsp water

Stir into sauce and sauté 1–2 minutes until glossy.

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Pro Tips for the Best Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

Here’s how to make sure it comes out perfect every time.

✅ Sear First for More Flavor

It’s only a few minutes but transforms the taste.

✅ Don’t Burn the Garlic

Garlic burns quickly and turns bitter. Keep sauté time short (30 seconds is enough).

✅ Use Chicken Broth

It boosts flavor instantly.

✅ Let the Chicken Rest in the Sauce

After cooking, let it sit for 2 minutes. The chicken absorbs more of the honey garlic flavor.

✅ Taste and Adjust

Before serving, taste the sauce:

• Want more sweetness? add 1 teaspoon honey

• Want more salt/umami? add ½ teaspoon soy sauce

• Want more heat? extra cayenne or chili flakes

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Serving Suggestions (So It Feels Like a Full Takeout Meal)

One of the best things about Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is how versatile it is. You can serve it a dozen ways.

Best Side Dishes

• Steamed jasmine rice

• Brown rice

• Fried rice

• Garlic noodles

• Chow mein noodles

• Sesame ramen noodles

Best Veggies With It

• Stir-fried broccoli

• Green beans

• Bok choy

• Sugar snap peas

• Bell peppers + onions

Make It a Bowl

Meal prep bowls are incredible with:

• rice base

• sliced honey garlic chicken

• steamed broccoli

• shredded carrots

• sesame seeds + green onions

• drizzle of sauce

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Variations (Easy Ways to Switch It Up)

You can make this recipe feel brand new every time with these easy variations.

1) Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

Add:

• 1 tablespoon sriracha

• extra cayenne

• chili flakes

2) Ginger Honey Garlic Chicken

Add:

• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

• or ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Ginger makes it taste even more “restaurant-style.”

3) Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Cut chicken into chunks before cooking for bite-sized pieces.
(Reduce cook time slightly.)

4) Orange Honey Garlic Chicken

Add:

• 1 tablespoon orange juice

• ½ teaspoon orange zest

Sweet, fresh, and super flavorful.

5) Sesame Honey Garlic Chicken

Sprinkle:

• toasted sesame seeds

• chopped green onions
  Add a tiny splash of sesame oil (after cooking).

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Storage & Reheating

This dish is perfect for leftovers and meal prep.

How to Store

Let chicken cool, then store in an airtight container.

• Refrigerator: up to 4 days

• Freezer: up to 2 months

Best Way to Reheat

• Microwave: 60–90 seconds with extra sauce

• Stovetop: heat gently in a skillet with splash of water/broth

Tip: The sauce thickens when cold. Add a small splash of broth to loosen it up while reheating.

Print

Nutrition (Estimated per Serving)

• Calories: ~320

• Protein: ~28 g

• Fat: ~14 g

• Carbohydrates: ~18 g

• Sugar: ~14 g

(Nutrition will vary depending on brands, exact thighs used, and if thickening with cornstarch.)

Final Thoughts: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner)

When you need dinner fast, but you still want it to taste like something special, Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken (20-Minute Dinner) is one of the best recipes you can keep in your rotation. It’s cozy, saucy, and packed with those bold sweet-and-savory flavors that make takeout so addictive—yet it’s made in your own kitchen with ingredients you trust.

What I love most about this recipe is how practical it is. The Instant Pot makes the chicken unbelievably tender, and the honey garlic sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours. It’s the kind of meal that saves busy weeknights, makes leftovers exciting, and keeps everyone at the table happy.