Delicious Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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 and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Make this flavorful yet easy chicken recipe! It’s done in no time and the whole family is sure to love it.

Highlights of this bourbon chicken recipe:

• Easy dinner recipe: this is a simple dump and go recipe, everything can be added to the Instant Pot and cooked together. Cook for 20 minutes and you will have perfect chicken in a thick, slightly sweet bourbon honey sauce. Plus cooking in the Instant Pot means easy clean up as you just have to clean one pot!
• Great weeknight meal or meal prep: This recipe comes together in no time and ingredients can be prepared ahead of time so all you have to do is combine them when ready to eat. While the chicken cooks you can prepare rice or noodles to serve with and you will have a filling meal in under 30 minutes! This also reheats great making it perfect for meal prepped lunches or dinners. Serve with roasted broccoli or sliced avocado to get some veggies and healthy fats!
• Family favorite: this recipe is a staple weeknight meal, similar to takeout this is a favorite amongst everyone. Serve over rice, lo mein noodle, stir fried veggies, or quinoa for a filling, protein packed meal everyone will eat!
• Quick and delicious sauce: honey, bourbon, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, garlic, and a few other pantry ingredients make up this tasty sauce. It cooks down to a perfectly thick consistency that coats the chicken great! I like extra sauce on mine so I can pour it over my rice.

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! Perfect for a busy weeknight, serve over Jasmine rice, basmati rice, or steamed brown rice. This chicken is also great on it own or stuffed into wraps and tortillas.

Grocery Store list & Substitutions:

• Chicken breast: substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or leftover rotisserie chicken.
• Garlic cloves: add as much fresh garlic as desired!
• Ground ginger: the ginger flavor is subtle in this sauce, ground or fresh ginger can be a substitute.
• Soy sauce: coconut aminos, low sodium soy sauce, or tamari can be a substitute to traditional soy sauce if you need a gluten free or soy free option.
• Apple cider vinegar: adds a nice tanginess to the sauce. I wouldn’t substittue other vinegars here.
• Apple juice: this thins out the sauce a bit and adds a nice touch of sweetness.
• Light brown sugar: this adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce, coconut sugar can be an option as well.
• Honey: this adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce and gives it a nice thick texture, agave can be an option as well.
• Chicken stock: vegetable stock may be a substitute.
• Bourbon whiskey: use whatever you have on hand or your preferred bourbon.
• Cornstarch: cornstarch or arrowroot powder work to thicken the sauce. I prefer arrowroot powder as my thickener as it doesn’t get as clumpy.
• Sesame seeds: add as many as you like – these make a great garish. If I have them, I like a mix of white and black sesame seeds.
• Green onions: sliced green onions make a good garnish, they are optional.

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 this chicken! My favorite electric pressure cooker.

How to make the Delicious Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe (with step by step instructions):

Let’s talk a little about how to make this bourbon chicken (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Add all ingredients to the bowl of an Instant Pot.
• Pressure cook on high for 18-20 minutes.
• Serve over rice and enjoy.

1. Firstly, add all ingredients to the instant pot. Secondly, secure on lid and pressure cook on high for 18-20 minutes or until chicken temps at 165 degrees F.
2. Once cooked, serve over rice with extra sauce. Finally, garnish with green onion and sesame seeds and enjoy!

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

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! Arrowroot powder can be substituted instead of cornstarch, it acts the same was but its a slightly healthier option.

Variations & Serving Ideas:

• Toss with lo mein noodles or rice noodles.
• Serve family style alongside bowls of rice/noodles and toppings for guests to create their own bowl!
• Add raw broccoli florets to Instant pot with chicken to easily incorporate veggies.
• Serve with steamed veggies or stir fried veggies and rice for a complete meal.
• Use sliced pork instead of chicken.
• Mix in mushrooms and water chestnuts for some more crunch and texture.

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! Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fun garnish.

Recipe FAQs:

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, quinoa, or with stir fried veggies. We like ours topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

What is bourbon chicken sauce made of?

This simple sauce is made of minced garlic, ground ginger, chicken broth, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and cornstarch. The honey gives this sauce a sweet flavor while the soy sauce adds a nice salty touch. The bourbon mostly cooks out, leaving a nice aftertaste.

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!

How can I store leftover bourbon chicken?

Leftover chicken can be cooled completely, transferred to an airtight container, and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Sauce and chicken can be stored together.