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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:
Step 1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and ground black pepper on both sides of the chicken. Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is fully heated and hot, add the olive oil. Pan sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.
Pro tip: You can also pan-sear the chicken in a skillet and then transfer them over to the Instant Pot.
Step 2. Add the minced garlic and saute until light brown. Add the chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Step 3. Cover the pot, select Manual, and set to High pressure for 8 minutes. When it beeps, turn to Quick Release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully and turn to Saute mode to reduce the sauce if it’s too watery.
Step 4. Add the chopped parsley and serve immediately.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts in this brown sugar garlic chicken recipe?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts and other parts for this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time to avoid under or overcooking. Check our guide above for cooking different cuts in the Instant Pot.
How can I ensure the brown sugar garlic sauce thickens properly?
The secret for your sauce to thicken and cook properly is to constantly stir the mixture, which also prevents it from burning. You can adjust the consistency by adding cornstarch slurry to thicken and more stock or water to thin out the sauce.
Can I make this dish in a slow cooker?
Definitely! The slow cooking will make the garlic and brown sugar chicken so tender and flavorful. You can also use a crockpot as an alternative.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store garlic brown sugar chicken in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with some extra sauce to make sure it stays moist.
What side dishes pair well with brown sugar garlic chicken?
Brown sugar garlic chicken thighs are best eaten with rice, steamed or roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and pasta dishes.
How many calories per serving?
This bone in chicken thigh recipe has only 477 calories per serving.
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 share your photo in the Comments section and consider giving it a 5-star rating. I can’t wait to see your creations! Want more easy and delicious recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow 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
Instant Pot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 lbs. (750g-900g) bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and ground black pepper on both sides of the chicken. Turn on the Saute mode on your Instant Pot. As soon as the pot is fully heated and hot, add the olive oil. Pan sear the chicken thighs (skin side down first) until both sides turn nicely brown.Pro tip: You can also pan-sear the chicken in a skillet and then transfer them over to the Instant Pot.
- Add the minced garlic and saute until light brown. Add the chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Cover the pot, select Manual, and set to High pressure for 8 minutes. When it beeps, turn to Quick Release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully and turn to Saute mode to reduce the sauce if it’s too watery.
- Add the chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- 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.