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Instant Pot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

A one-pot meal featuring succulent chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic and brown sugar sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter divided
  • 4-6 pieces chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon chopped fresh parsley for serving

Instructions

  • Step 1: Sauté the Chicken - Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down into the pot, season with salt and black pepper, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until crispy. Turn and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Step 2: Sauté the Garlic - In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and crushed garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Step 3: Create the Sauce - Pour in the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pot. Stir in the brown sugar, honey, oregano, basil, and thyme until the brown sugar is dissolved.
  • Step 4: Pressure Cook the Chicken - Return the chicken to the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the sauce. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  • Step 5: Serve and Enjoy! - Remove the chicken and let it rest. Optionally, turn the Instant Pot back to sauté mode to reduce the sauce. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with rice or vegetables.

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Notes

For best results, use bone-in thighs for flavor and juiciness. Adjust sweetness to taste and consider adding vegetables for a complete meal.