This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet and spicy Asian chicken dish that tastes just like take-out and requires less than 20 minutes to throw together.

Instant pot honey garlic chicken garnished with green onion and sesame seeds

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

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Like everyone, I love a good ole dinner of Chinese take-out. But why pay more and wait longer for chicken and rice when you can make it yourself? This Honey Garlic Chicken comes together in just 20 minutes and has the classic texture and taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant but without all the grease. Winning!

Instant pot honey garlic chicken on a bed of rice

How to make Honey Garlic Chicken:

Since this comes together so quickly, you’ll want to prep the sauce first. The sauce is made up of honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and for some heat – sriracha sauce. All you have to do is mix it together.

Next, you’ll season the chicken and toss it in some cornstarch and then brown it on all sides. This can be done two ways – in the Instant Pot on “saute” or in a skillet. When browning any meat, avoiding stirring or moving the meat. After adding the chicken to the pot, let it cook 2-3 minutes to form a nice crust, flip, and cook another 2-3 minutes.

If using the Instant Pot, it’s important to deglaze the bottom of the pot after browning or else the little bits will burn and the pressure cooker will shut off. To deglaze the pan, you’ll add 1/4 cup water and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon until all the bits come loose.

Add the chicken back to the pot along with the sauce, close the pressure cooker, and set the knob to “seal”. Cook at high pressure to 2 minutes followed by a quick release. I like to cover the knob with a towel so that the steam and water doesn’t get everywhere, especially on me.

Once it’s done, remove the lid, add the green onions and sesame seeds and serve over rice. Easy peasy!

Chicken and sauce in an instant pot for honey garlic chicken

Can I make this if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

YES! You can make this in the slow cooker or on the stovetop:

Slow Cooker Method: You’ll lightly brown the chicken (it should NOT be cooked all the way through) in a skillet and then transfer it to the bottom of a slow cooker along with the sauce. Then you’ll cook it on low for 2 hours.

Stovetop Method: This requires an extra pot to cook and thicken the sauce. You’ll place all the sauce ingredients in a small pot and bring to a simmer. Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water and cook until thickened. Brown the chicken in a skillet on all sides, cooking until the chicken is cooked throughout. Add the sauce and mix until coated and you’re ready to serve.

Instant pot honey garlic chicken in an instant pot with sesame seeds and green onions

If you like dishes like Orange Chicken and Beef & Broccoli, no matter what method you choose make this Honey Garlic Chicken, I’m sure you’ll love it! Serve over rice and with a side of steamed veggies and you’ve got a complete meal that the family will be begging you to make again and again.

Instant pot honey garlic chicken in a bowl with rice green onions and chopsticks

 
Instant pot honey garlic chicken garnished with green onion and sesame seeds
4.34 from 6 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet and spicy Asian chicken dish that tastes just like take-out and requires less than 20 minutes to throw together.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Melanie

Ingredients  

  • 2 pounds chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
  • salt & pepper
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • sesame seeds for garnish

For the Sauce

Instructions 

  • Mix honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic together. Set aside.
  • Place chicken in a mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.

Instant Pot Method:

  • Heat oil in the Instant Pot, selecting the saute function and allow to heat up. Add half the chicken once oil shimmers and let cook 2-3 minutes before flipping. Cook another 2 minutes. No need to cook all the way through. Once browned, remove to a plate and cook remaining chicken.
  • If bits have stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot, pour in 1/4 cup water and deglaze the bottom of the pan by scraping it with a wooden spoon. Keep scraping the bottom of the pan while the heat is on until almost all the water has evaporated. Turn off the saute function. Add the chicken back to the bottom of the Instant Pot and pour the honey sauce on top. Cover with lid, set knob to seal, and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes followed by a quick release. Remove lid when safe to open.
  • Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes, flip, and cook another 2 minutes. No need to cook all the way through.
  • Place the chicken and sauce in in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours. If you want to add veggies like peppers you can throw them in halfway through.
  • Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds and serve.

Stovetop Method:

  • Place all the sauce ingredients in a small pot and bring to a simmer. Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water and cook until thickened.
  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on all sides, cooking the chicken all the way through. Add the thickened sauce and mix until coated.
  • Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds and serve.

Video

4.34 from 6 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 446kcal

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese

Repin this Delicious Chicken Recipe

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About the author

Melanie is a Midwest girl currently living in Nebraska with her husband and daughters. She started rubbing elbows with her mom in the kitchen as soon as she discovered she could lick the bowl clean. She loves spending time in the kitchen creating healthy dinners and indulgent desserts for her family and friends. You can visit Melanie on her blog: Garnish & Glaze.
See more posts by Melanie

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Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I’ve made this twice now. It’s super simple and it tastes good, but I have a problem with the sauce not being very thick. I have to sauté again after pressure cooking. Any suggestions?

  2. 5 stars
    I made this recipe for the first time tonight and it was fantastic! Definitely a keeper and I’ll be making it again soon!

  3. This recipe has a calorie count, but no information about serving size.

    It also reads as though you’re supposed to leave the 1/4 cup water in the instant pot after deglazing, but it’s not clear.

    1. The recipe makes 4 servings. Correct, you leave the water, scraping the bottom of the pan while the heat is on until almost all the water has evaporated.