Published Jan 14, 2019 Updated Sep 04, 2024
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
I love using my Instant Pot for making quick and easy recipes, especially on busy weeknights. It makes cooking so convenient and hassle-free, and the results are always delicious! This easy brown sugar garlic chicken recipe is one of my go-to dishes in the Instant Pot. The chicken thighs end up so juicy, moist, and tender in the flavorful brown garlic sauce. And the best part? All it takes is 10 minutes! The combination of brown sugar and garlic also works like magic with chicken. The sauce is so addictive, you’ll want to pour it over everything! This is definitely one of the best Instant Pot chicken recipes you can make for the entire family. Want to try more Instant Pot recipes? Try my Honey Sesame Chicken and Chicken Teriyaki recipes!
Ingredients For Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs – I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe to achieve that golden brown crust and juicy meat. Feel free to use boneless or skinless chicken if you like. Brown sugar – the base of the flavorful sauce that coats the chicken. It gives a deeper and richer flavor, but white sugar also works fine. Garlic – always use freshly minced garlic for the best flavors! Chicken broth – you can use water or vegetable stock but I prefer chicken stock because it adds more flavor. Apple cider vinegar – adds a tangy element to the sauce which helps balance all the flavors.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
This brown sugar garlic chicken is ideal for days when you want a quick yet hearty meal. Trust me, the juicy chicken thighs combined with sweet, garlicky sauce are so comforting and satisfying, especially after a long day! Here’s how to make brown sugar and garlic chicken at home:
How Long Does It Take to Cook Instant Pot Chicken
It takes about 5 -10 minutes to cook chicken in an Instant Pot, depending on the chicken parts used in the recipe. Pro tip: You can also pan-sear the chicken in a skillet and then transfer them over to the Instant Pot. Below are the general guidelines on the time for cooking chicken in an Instant Pot, based on my past experiences:
Wingettes and drumettes – 5 minutes Whole chicken wings – 6 minutes Chicken drumsticks and chicken thighs – 8 minutes Chicken breasts – 10 minutes
Can you cook frozen chicken in an Instant Pot? Yes, you can cook frozen chicken thighs, chicken breasts, wings, and legs in an Instant Pot. Just add 2 minutes to the time above if you use frozen chicken from the refrigerator.
How Do You Pressure Cook Chicken In An Instant Pot
You need at least 1/2 cup of liquid in an Instant Pot to pressure cook chicken. You may also use up to 1 cup of liquid but 1/2 cup is usually enough. In my experience, one cup is too much liquid as pressure cooking doesn’t vaporize the liquid. Instead, it forces the moisture of the chicken out of the meat, ending up with more liquid in the Instant Pot.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
I used a 6-quart Instant Pot. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make this recipe in a slow cooker, or on your stove top. If you use a slow cooker, use high heat and cook for 3 hours. For stove top, just pan-fry the chicken and then add in all the ingredients of the sauce. Simmer on low heat and cook until the chicken meat is tender. I used organic chicken thighs, so they are small. If you use regular chicken thighs, you can increase the pressure cooking time to 10 minutes for tender meat. Give your brown sugar garlic chicken an extra spicy kick by adding red chili flakes or even sriracha sauce. After pressure cooking, use the broil function of your Instant Pot for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp up the skin to your liking.
What To Serve With Brown Sugar and Garlic Chicken
For a wholesome meal and an easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes: I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
