Everyone loves chicken thighs, they’re always incredibly moist and tender especially when cooked in the Instant Pot. Similar to the Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken and the Instant Pot firecracker chicken, the chicken thighs here are cooked in a sweet but savory rich and sticky sauce. The key to this recipe is to sear the chicken thighs really well, just like you would sear them in a skillet. And that’s what gives this dish that lovely caramelized flavor that you will love!
What You’ll Need
Super simple and straight-forward pantry staples, and chicken thighs! That’s really all you need to make this. Here’s what we’re using:
Chicken thighs – I used bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs. If using frozen then make sure to thaw completely before cooking. Using skin-on chicken thighs is what gives them that awesome crispy crust and color. Honey and brown sugar – to sweeten the sauce up! You can also use maple syrup or agave syrup if you like. Garlic – an essential that goes into every chicken recipe at LSK! Oil and butter – Oil is used to sear the chicken, and the butter gives richness and flavor to the sauce but it can be skipped if you like. Stock – so chicken stock is what’s recommended here, but if you only have vegetable stock available then go for it! Seasonings – dried basil, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
The Directions
This is so simple! The detailed directions are in the recipe card below, but in short, this is what you have to do:
Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs?
You can, but you won’t get that caramelized flavor as what you’d get from chicken thighs. And remember, chicken breasts are drier.
Storing Tips
Fridge: Store the chicken in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave, or in the oven until it’s heated through. Freezer: These chicken thighs can last up to three months in the freezer, so be sure to write the date on the bag with a freezer-proof marker.
Serving Ideas
Serve this Instant Pot brown sugar chicken with any starch that you like! I usually serve this over basmati rice or brown rice, but mashed potatoes and pasta are also great options. And you might also want to serve some veg on the side. I recommend a portion of Instant Pot broccoli, or Instant Pot green beans to bright up your plate! Oh, and don’t forget to drizzle some extra sauce over everything in your plate, because the sauce is everything! © Little Sunny Kitchen
