We used to get our Chinese takeout from a local place that had honey garlic chicken on the menu. It was my absolute favorite thing to order! Unfortunately that place is no longer open, and we don’t have a takeout option near us with that on the menu. Honestly, this at-home version of honey garlic chicken is probably way healthier than the version I ordered. But it’s so easy and delicious that I don’t even miss it from my takeout order! This version is healthier, cheaper, and easier than driving to pick up your favorite takeout. It cooks in just 9 minutes and has under 10 ingredients for an easy weeknight meal.
The best part about this meal is that it’s made in the instant pot. 9 minutes on high pressure is all it takes for your dinner to be ready! Now I will clarify that there is a little bit of prep work, some garlic to sauté, and a sauce to thicken at the end, but you’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes and I don’t think you can ask for more! First, you are going to heat some olive oil and sauté your garlic. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn! Add your chopped boneless, skinless chicken thighs and give it a stir. Then add your sauce ingredients: soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, pepper, and salt. After stirring to combine, place the lid on your instant pot and set to high pressure for nine minutes. Once it’s done cooking, release the pressure. Make a slurry of cornstarch and water and add it to the instant pot. Stir to combine, then set your instant pot to sauté to allow the sauce to thicken.
Thanks to the instant pot, this chicken is super tender. And because you’re using chicken thighs it’s extra juicy. The sauce that coats the whole thing is so good you’ll want to drink it with a spoon. Or just serve the dish over rice to soak it all up. The recipe for this easy and delicious weeknight meal is below! I’m sure it’ll be on repeat for you like it is for us.
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 4 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2½ tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 tbsp. water
- Place olive oil in your instant pot and turn it to "sauté" setting. Heat oil then add garlic and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken thighs and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to brown the meat.
- Add soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Place lid on instant pot and set to high pressure for 9 minutes.
- When done cooking, allow to manually or naturally release.
- In a small bowl, use a fork to mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove chicken from the sauce and transfer to a plate
- Add cornstarch mixture to remaining sauce in instant pot and set the instant pot to "saute" setting.
- Cook for a few minutes until thickened. Return chicken to pot and stir to coat.
- Serve over rice or rice noodles with vegetables of choice (we love broccoli!).
- Enjoy!
Like what you see? Pin it here!
This looks like such a great dish to make after a long tiring day at work. Thank you for sharing this absolutely lovely instant pot recipe.
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy!
any liquid needed in the instant pot to cook the chicken?
This is delicious and so easy! It’s now a regular in our house. I’m doubling today to have some at home and to drop off a meal for a friend
We make this all the time! So glad your family enjoys it too.