This delicious instant pot honey bourbon chicken recipe is perfect for a weeknight! Tender chicken in a thick honey bourbon sauce. This recipe couldn’t be any easier, simply add everything (even the cornstarch) to the instant pot, put the lid on, and let it pressure cook until done! The chicken gets so tender is starts to fall apart and the sauce thickens up nicely. Serve over rice or with steamed veggies.
Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Make this flavorful yet easy chicken recipe!
Highlights of this bourbon chicken recipe:
- Easy dinner recipe
- Make a great weekly meal prep or easy weeknight meal
- Family favorite, serve over rice with veggies like carrots, bok choy, and snow peas for a filling meal
- Budget friendly ingredients
- Customizable, can substitute chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken
- Great for picky eaters, the entire family will enjoy this recipe
- Can be made without bourbon if desired
- Sauce is easy and flavorful to make, leftover sauce will keep in the fridge!
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
This delicious meal is one of my favorite instant pot recipes – it’s a flavorful chicken dish with simple ingredients and minimal steps! Basically set it and forget it! Busy for a busy weeknight, serve over Jasmine rice or steamed brown rice.
Grocery Store list & Substitutions:
- Boneless skinless chicken breast, substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or leftover rotisserie chicken
- Garlic cloves
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger, could use fresh ginger
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Soy sauce, or substitute coconut aminos
- Apple cider vinegar
- Apple juice
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Chicken stock
- Any bourbon whiskey
- Cornstarch
- Steamed white rice, for serving
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Tools I used for this easy bourbon chicken recipe:
- Glasslock Glass Food Storage Containers – the square containers are the perfect size for lunches or leftovers, stain proof, and they are dishwasher safe
- Tongs – a must have kitchen tool!
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker – A versatile counter top appliance perfect for quickly cooking these meatballs! My favorite electric pressure cooker.
Quick Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in the base of the instant pot
- Stir to combine
- Pressure cook until done
If you like this Delicious Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe, you’ll love these other easy recipes…
Instant Pot Apple Cider Pork Loin
Easy Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Quick and Easy Instant Pot Cocktail Meatballs Recipe
2 Ingredient Instant Pot Pesto Chicken
Easy Instant Pot Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe
Instant Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe
Variations & Serving Ideas:
- Use store-bought teriyaki sauce
- Serve over a bed of rice topped with avocados, green onions, cilantro, limes, and more
- Serve over lo mien noodles or with stir fried vegetables
- Serve with steamed veggies
- Serve sauce over grilled chicken
- Mix in mushrooms and water chestnuts
- Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onion
The cornstarch mixes in while the chicken cooks so there is no need to make a cornstarch slurry. This dish could also be made in the slow cooker/crock pot, just allow for more time!
What to serve bourbon chicken with?
Serve this easy instant pot recipe with Failproof Long Grain Rice in the Instant Pot, Perfect Brown Rice (without a rice cooker), or Perfect Steamed Rice (without a rice cooker). You could also serve over noodles or with stir fried veggies.
How long does chicken take to cook in the instant pot?
Depending on the size, chicken will be cooked in about 15-20 minutes. Always make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees before consuming, use a meat thermometer if needed!
A dish perfect for the whole family, a savory sauce with the perfect amount of honey coats tender bites of chicken. Add sriracha sauce or chili paste for a kick of heat!
Instructions Delicious Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe:
- Combine all ingredients in the base of the instant pot. Secure the lid onto the pressure cooker. Turn on, select “Pressure Cook” setting, set to “high pressure” for 18-20 minutes, and start.
- Once the timer has expired allow the remaining pressure to release naturally. The chicken should be cooked through and the sauce thickened. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a little stock or water.
- Serve over steamed rice and top with extra sauce. Leftover chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes:
*Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. before serving.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 6-8 oz. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed , or substitute chicken thighs
- 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Apple juice
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Bourbon, or substitute water
- 1 1/2 tbsp Cornstarch
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the base of the instant pot. Secure the lid onto the pressure cooker. Turn on, select "Pressure Cook" setting, set to "high pressure" for 18-20 minutes, and start.
- Once the timer has expired allow the pressure to release naturally. The chicken should be cooked through and the sauce thickened. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a little stock or water.
- Serve over steamed rice and top with extra sauce. Leftover chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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