Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 53 comments
Published: Jan 29, 2019 Last Updated: Nov 3, 2023

From start to finish, this easy Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is ready in under 30 minutes! Packed with flavor, it’s faster than going to the mall to pick up a plate of this dish!

We love Instant Pot recipes! Whether your making a batch of hard boiled eggs (the BEST), or whipping up a quick and heart bowl of Instant Pot Taco soup, there’s something for everyone.

Why this Dinner is Best

This is a low effort, maximum satisfaction kind of meal. And the flavor is so good that I cast no judgement to anybody who chooses to lick their plate.

Our family loves going to the mall, but mostly to get some of our favorite bourbon chicken. Today, I’ll show you how to save money and make it at home!

• There is almost no prep. Even if you’re a beginner, you can get this meal going in under 5 minutes. Let your Instant Pot do the rest. You’ll have 6 heaping servings ready in less than half an hour. Especially on a busy weeknight, it doesn’t get much better than that.
• Choose broth, bourbon or apple juice – any of these will work. I love using chicken broth and have written the recipe that way. With that said, I’d recommend experimenting as many people have already done (repeatedly). There are some great suggestions in the comment section below which you can use for inspiration.
• Incredible flavor. I can’t overstate the how much you’ll get with this recipe – umami, sweet and savory. It’s amazing considering how little effort is required.

The chicken comes out exceptionally tender, and it will make your kitchen smell amazing from the moment you release pressure on the Instant Pot.

Be sure to try our easy Instant Pot Chicken tacos next. Perfect for your next fiesta! Or finish your day with a bowl of Instant Pot Rice Pudding topped with fresh whipped cream.

Important Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will give you the most flavor and affordability with the least prep. You could use chicken breasts if you prefer.
• Apple Juice
• Chicken Broth
• Soy Sauce – Both regular and low-sodium varieties work in this recipe. Choose whichever kind you like.
• Brown Sugar – Reach for light brown sugar to keep the flavor of this sauce balanced and mellow. Dark brown sugar will make the taste of the sauce too molasses-forward.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves will offer the best and strongest flavor. Pre-minced, jarred garlic is fine in a pinch, but you won’t get the same rich flavor.
• Ginger – Skip the ginger in a tube, and go for freshly grated ginger whenever possible. There’s a noticeable difference in flavor between the two.
• Green Onions – Green onions are an optional garnish. Incorporating them will add color, texture, and flavor to the dish.

Easy Instructions

1. Prep the Instant Pot. In your Instant Pot, quickly whisk together all ingredients except the chicken, water, cornstarch, and green onions. Once they’re well combined, stir your chicken into the sauce so it’s thoroughly coated.
2. Pressure cook on high. Secure the lid, seal the valve and start cooking – 12 minutes on High for fresh chicken.
3. Prepare the slurry. While the dish cooks, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until it combines and thickens. Set it aside.
4. Thicken the sauce. Once the cook cycle is complete and pressure is released, set your Instant Pot to the “saute” setting. Remove the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Then slowly whisk your cornstarch slurry into the sauce. This should take about 2 minutes. Turn off the pot once this step is complete.
5. Serve it up. Return the diced chicken to the pot and coat it with sauce. Garnish with green onions and you’re ready to eat!

Tips and Tricks

• This is an excellent recipe to keep on hand when you’re in a pinch and forgot to prep for dinner. Since you can make this recipe with frozen chicken, virtually no foresight or planning is necessary.
• A convenient alternative to fresh grated garlic and ginger is the frozen variations of these ingredients. Freezing preserves the ingredients’ peak flavor, so you’ll get the best taste possible without all the prep.
• You could use teriyaki sauce if you don’t have soy sauce. Teriyaki includes the same ingredients as soy sauce, plus some sugar. This swap could lead to a slightly sweeter sauce, but you can tweak the brown sugar to your liking. Coconut aminos is another great alternative.
• No Instant Pot? No problem. Try our slow cooker bourbon chicken recipe instead!

Serving Suggestions

• The easiest side dish for Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is rice. You can cook it on the stovetop, use frozen rice, or rice that you steam in the microwave for convenience.
• I also love following this Cilantro Lime Rice recipe but swapping the lime for melted butter and the cilantro for a few cloves of sautéd garlic.
• You can’t get more “comfort food” than serving this Bourbon Chicken with Baked Mashed Potatoes. Whether you serve it on the side or smother the potatoes in the chicken and bourbon sauce, every bite will be as mouth-watering as the last.

Recipe FAQs

More Chicken Dinner Recipes

• Make juicy, sweet and tangy chicken in your crockpot with this easySlow Cooker BBQ Chickenrecipe!
• Make ahead, freezer friendly CopycatFirecracker Chicken Wrapsare a delicious appetizer to serve family and friends. This copycat Longhorn recipe is so good!
• Comfort food. ThisChicken Tetrazzinirecipe has been a family favorite for many years! It’s also a great dish to bring a new mom!
• Buffalo Chicken Dip – serve it up for dinner or a snack.
• Easy Copycat Panda ExpressOrange ChickenRecipe. Crispy chicken in a sweet and tangy glaze, perfect for weeknight dinners!

Don’t forget dessert! We always keep a bag of peanut butter balls in the freezer, for a quick treat. Or bake a batch of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!