There is something truly magical about combining sweet and savory flavors that hits just the right spot, and this Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe achieves that balance beautifully. With tender, juicy chicken breasts infused with a luscious honey garlic glaze, this dish transforms your ordinary chicken dinner into an irresistible weeknight favorite. What makes it even better is how quickly and effortlessly it comes together in the Instant Pot, ensuring you get maximum flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the secret to making this Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe shine. Each element plays a unique role: the soy sauce adds saltiness, honey brings its natural sweetness, garlic delivers that pungent kick, and a touch of cornstarch helps create the perfect glossy sauce that clings to the chicken.
- ⅓ cup water (or chicken broth): Adds moisture and depth to the sauce, making the chicken juicy and tender.
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce: Provides savory umami flavor without overwhelming the sweetness.
- ¼ cup honey: Sweetens and balances the garlic, giving the sauce a delightful glaze.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses the dish with its signature aromatic punch.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the flavor profile.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts: The star of the dish, cooked perfectly tender and juicy in the Instant Pot.
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, creating that irresistible sticky coating.
How to Make Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Sauce Ingredients
Start by combining the water or chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and black pepper right in the Instant Pot. Whisk everything together until the honey has completely dissolved into the mix, setting the stage for a flavorful and aromatic sauce that will envelop each chicken breast beautifully.
Step 2: Add the Chicken Breasts
Place your boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly into the Instant Pot, nestling them comfortably in the flavorful liquid. This ensures every bite is infused with the honey garlic essence.
Step 3: Seal and Set the Instant Pot
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and move the steam valve to the sealing position. This is crucial for building pressure and cooking the chicken evenly and quickly.
Step 4: Pressure Cook According to Chicken Size
Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook or manual mode on high pressure. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts: 8 minutes for small, 10 minutes for medium, and 11 minutes for large pieces. This precision makes sure your chicken is perfectly cooked and never dry.
Step 5: Adjust for Frozen Chicken
If you’re cooking from frozen, simply add 3 extra minutes to the cooking time. Make sure the breasts aren’t stuck together to allow even cooking, and enjoy the convenience of a quick, no-thaw meal option.
Step 6: Pressure Release
Once the cook time ends, carefully release the pressure. For fresh chicken, quick release by moving the steam valve to venting using a long spoon handle for safety. For frozen chicken, opt for a 10-minute natural release before venting to keep the meat tender and juicy.
Step 7: Check the Temperature
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing it’s fully cooked and safe to eat. If needed, you can finish cooking using the sauté function to adjust doneness.
Step 8: Remove the Chicken
Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate or cutting board, setting them aside while you prepare the sauce thickener.
Step 9: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch together with a tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and stir the cornstarch mixture into the cooking liquid. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety, then turn off the pot and remove the inner pot to stop cooking.
Step 10: Slice and Serve
Slice the chicken breasts and drizzle generously with the luscious honey garlic sauce. Serve over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe
Garnishes
Add visual appeal and additional flavor by garnishing with fresh chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. These little touches elevate the dish’s texture and make it look as delightful as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with simple steamed rice, which soaks up the honey garlic sauce perfectly. For added nutrition and color, steamed broccoli, stir-fried snap peas, or roasted carrots make excellent companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving sliced chicken on a bed of quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist. Alternatively, shred the chicken after cooking and use it as a filling for lettuce wraps or even warm tortillas to create a fun, handheld meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers equally delicious.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully. Store cooled chicken breasts and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to maintain the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat to prevent drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or broth before reheating helps keep everything moist and tender.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts directly in the Instant Pot?
Absolutely! This Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe includes adjusted cooking times for frozen chicken, making it a quick and convenient choice when you forget to thaw ahead.
Is it necessary to use cornstarch in the sauce?
The cornstarch is key to thickening the sauce, creating that sticky, glossy finish that clings to the chicken so beautifully. Without it, the sauce would be more like a broth.
Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?
You can try maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives, but honey offers that unique floral sweetness which pairs wonderfully with garlic and soy sauce in this recipe.
How do I prevent chicken breasts from becoming dry?
Cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot with the flavorful liquid carefully timed based on size helps keep them juicy. Also, releasing pressure safely and not overcooking are essential steps outlined in the recipe.
Can I double this recipe for a larger group?
Yes! You can scale the ingredients accordingly, but make sure not to overfill your Instant Pot. Also, pressure cooking time might increase slightly depending on volume, so keep an eye on doneness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful, and utterly satisfying meal, this Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe is a true winner. It combines simplicity and taste in a way that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I promise once you try it, it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation — just as it is in mine!
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Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked quickly with a flavorful honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish combines the sweetness of honey with the savory taste of soy sauce and garlic, all made effortlessly in an Instant Pot.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- ⅓ cup water (or chicken broth)
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Thickening Mixture
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In the Instant Pot, combine water or broth, low sodium soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until the honey fully dissolves to create a balanced, flavorful sauce.
- Add chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are coated with the sauce for maximum flavor infusion.
- Seal the Instant Pot: Secure the lid and set the steam valve to the sealing position to prepare for pressure cooking.
- Pressure cook the chicken: Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook/manual on high pressure. Cook fresh chicken breasts based on their size: 8 minutes for small (7–8 ounces), 10 minutes for medium (10 ounces), or 11 minutes for large (12 ounces). Adjust times accordingly if chicken breasts are frozen by adding 3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Pressure build and release: Allow the Instant Pot approximately 10 minutes to reach pressure, then it will begin the countdown. When cooking finishes, carefully quick release the pressure using a long spoon to move the steam valve to venting. For frozen chicken breasts, perform a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before venting to ensure thorough cooking.
- Check internal temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to verify the chicken has reached at least 165° F. If not fully cooked, use the sauté function to continue cooking until safe temperature is achieved.
- Remove chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate or cutting board for slicing.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode, stir in the cornstarch mixture, and cook, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Slice the chicken breasts and serve topped with the thickened honey garlic sauce alongside rice and vegetables or your preferred sides.
Notes
- The cook time varies depending on the size and whether the chicken breasts are fresh or frozen—adjust accordingly.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
- Ensure chicken breasts are not stuck together if cooking from frozen to allow even cooking.
- Using chicken broth instead of water adds extra depth of flavor.
- Check chicken temperature with a thermometer to ensure food safety.
- The cornstarch mixture helps create a glossy, thick sauce perfect for coating the chicken.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
