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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine Asian-American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp cold water for cornstarch slurry
  • Green onions, sliced for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chicken broth. Set aside.
  • Sear Chicken (Optional): Press the 'Sauté' button on your Instant Pot and add olive oil. Once hot, sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step is optional but adds depth of flavor. Remove chicken and set aside.
  • Deglaze and Add Sauce: Pour a splash of chicken broth into the Instant Pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom to prevent a 'Burn' error. Pour in the prepared honey garlic sauce. Return the chicken thighs to the pot.
  • Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, ensure the venting knob is in the 'Sealing' position. Set the Instant Pot to 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' on HIGH for 8 minutes. For bone-in thighs, cook for 10 minutes.
  • Natural Pressure Release: Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure by carefully turning the venting knob to 'Venting'.
  • Thicken the Sauce: Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside. Press the 'Sauté' button. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce in the Instant Pot, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Serve: Return the chicken to the thickened sauce, tossing to coat. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin on bone-in thighs, finish under the broiler after cooking.
  • Always deglaze your Instant Pot to avoid a 'Burn' notice and ensure all flavor is incorporated.