🍯🍋 Instant Pot Honey Lemon Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Lemon Chicken is a quick, flavorful dinner featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet, tangy honey-lemon sauce with garlic and herbs. It’s a perfect weeknight meal served over rice, noodles, or vegetables.

5

Prep Time

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 15 minutes
• Pressure Release: 10 minutes
• Total: About 35 minutes

Servings

4–6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Honey Lemon Sauce

• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth

Thickener (Optional)

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Garnish

• Fresh parsley
• Lemon slices
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry.
2. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

2. Sear the Chicken

1. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
2. Add olive oil.
3. Brown chicken for 2–3 minutes per side (work in batches if needed).
4. Remove chicken and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce

1. Add a splash of chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
2. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, herbs, and remaining broth.

4. Pressure Cook

1. Return chicken to the pot.
2. Seal the lid and set to High Pressure:
   • Chicken thighs: 10 minutes
   • Chicken breasts: 8 minutes
3. Allow a 10-minute natural release, then carefully release remaining pressure.

5. Thicken the Sauce

1. Remove chicken.
2. Turn Instant Pot back to Sauté.
3. Mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce.
4. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until glossy and thickened.
5. Return chicken to the sauce and coat well.

Serving Ideas

• 🍚 Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• 🥦 Roasted broccoli or green beans
• 🍜 Egg noodles
• 🥔 Mashed potatoes
• 🥗 Fresh garden salad

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer: Freeze chicken with sauce for up to 3 months.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Tips

• Chicken thighs stay especially juicy in the Instant Pot.
• Fresh lemon juice gives the best bright flavor.
• Add a little ginger for an Asian-inspired twist.
• For extra caramelization, broil the cooked chicken for 2–3 minutes before serving.