Instant Pot Hoisin Chicken

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Are you looking for a simple yet flavorful dinner option? Our Instant Pot Hoisin Chicken is a blend of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors that you will love.

This easy-to-make Instant Pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don't have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen.

Tender boneless chicken thighs are pressure cooked in a mouthwatering sauce made from hoisin, soy, honey, and a hint of vinegar, served over fluffy white rice.

Vertical image of Instant Pot Hoisin Chicken recipe in a blue bowl.

The Benefits of Cooking in an Instant Pot

Cooking in an Instant Pot not only saves time but also retains the nutrients in your food.

It's a convenient way to cook meals faster, with less cleanup compared to traditional cooking methods.

Its pressure cooking feature allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the food, resulting in dishes that are incredibly tasty and satisfying.

When choosing the size of your Instant Pot, consider your family's size and eating habits. For a family of four, a 6-quart Instant Pot is usually sufficient. If you often cook large meals or meal prep for the week, an 8-quart model might be a better choice.

Recipe Prep

A little prep work goes a long way. I like to prep every ingredients that needs to be minced or chopped ahead of time.

Brown the chicken.
Mince the garlic and ginger.
Cook the rice.

Below is a quick look at the ingredients and directions. You can find the entire ingredient amounts and step by step directions in the recipe card below. P. S. You can also save your favorite recipes to your personal recipe box! ⬇️

Ingredients for Hoisin Chicken

Choosing quality ingredients is key to making the best Hoisin Chicken. Here's what you'll need:

Instant Pot Hoisin Chicken ingredients premeasured.

Butter: Adds richness and depth to the sauce.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: These are juicy and flavorful, perfect for pressure cooking.
Water: Needed to create steam for pressure cooking.
Low sodium soy sauce: Provides a salty umami flavor without making the dish too salty.
Hoisin sauce: Gives the dish its signature sweet and tangy flavor.
Honey: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the saltiness of the soy sauce.
Minced ginger and garlic: These aromatic ingredients add warmth and zing to the sauce.
Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the flavors.
Corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water: This will thicken the sauce.
Green onions: For garnishing and adding a fresh crunch.
Cooked white rice: Serves as a base for the chicken and sauce.

👇See the step by step directions below!

Step by Step Directions

Step 1: Turn the sauté setting of the Instant Pot on and melt the butter.

Step 2: Brown the chicken on all sides in the melted butter until golden brown on all sides. As the chicken pieces brown transfer them to a bowl and set aside. Turn the sauté setting off.

Chicken thighs sauteed until golden brown in a bowl.

Step 3: Add the water, soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and rice vinegar to the pot. Whisk the sauce ingredients together.

Hoisin chicken sauce combined in the pot.

Step 4: Return the chicken pieces to the Instant Pot and toss to coat with the sauce.

Step 5: Twist the lid on and lock into place. Turn the venting knob to the closed position. Press the manual button and set the cooking time to 8 minutes. It will take about 12 minutes for the pot to reach full pressure.

Step 6: Once the pressure cooking time has ended allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the pressure valve to the open position and allow the steam to release. Open the lid carefully away from your face.

Step 7: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside while you thicken the sauce.

Chicken cut into bite size pieces in a glass bowl.

Step 8: Turn the sauté setting on and add the cornstarch and water slurry to the hoisin sauce in the pot and whisk together. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and thicken. After about 3 minutes the sauce will have thickened.

Thickening the hoisin sauce with cornstarch and water inside the pot.

Step 9: Turn the sauté setting off. Add the cubed chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.

Mixing the cubed chicken with the hoisin sauce.

Step 10: Serve the hoisin chicken over a bed of cooked white rice.

A serving of Hoisin Chicken over white rice in a bowl.

Garnish each serving with sliced green onion and serve. Makes 4 servings.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this Hoisin Chicken with steamed vegetables, like broccoli, a side salad, or even inside lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, but make sure your Instant Pot is big enough to accommodate the larger quantity and is not filled past the maximum fill line.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating leftovers

To reheat, simply microwave or warm in a pot on the stove. Adding a splash of water or chicken broth can help keep the chicken moist.

If freezing, make sure to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. This Hoisin Chicken also makes for a delicious meal prep option for busy weekdays.

Simply divide the cooked chicken and rice into individual meal prep containers, add some broccoli and refrigerate for easy grab-and-go lunches for work or school.

Can this recipe be made in a crock pot?

Hoisin Chicken can also be made in a slow cooker by adding all ingredients except for cornstarch to the crockpot and cooking on low for 4-6 hours. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch as directed above before serving.

Experiment with different vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas to add more texture and flavor to the dish.

Recipe FAQS

Can I use regular soy sauce if I don't have low sodium?

Yes, but you may want to reduce the amount to avoid making the dish too salty.

What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?

A mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, and a splash of vinegar can work as a substitute. However, it won't have the same depth of flavor as hoisin sauce.

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken for making Hoisin Chicken in an Instant Pot. The cooking time will need to be increased, this recipe calls for 8 minutes, frozen chicken may take about 12 minutes under high pressure. Always check to make sure the chicken is cooked through when adjusting recipes.

📌Pro Cooking Tips

After browning the chicken loosen any stuck on bits from the bottom of the pan.
For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add an extra tablespoon of honey.
You can also substitute the chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Make sure to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe as they cook faster in the Instant Pot.
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in hoisin sauce for a few hours before cooking.
Serve over rice or lo mien noodles for a complete meal.

Hoisin Chicken served over rice in a bowl.

A Dinner Worth Making

This Instant Pot Hoisin Chicken is more than just a dinner—it's a great take out recipe you can make at home. It's quick, it's easy, and it's absolutely delicious.

Give it a try, and it might just become your new favorite! .

Try These Other Take Out Copycat recipes

If you liked this recipe, you'll also want to check out some of our other popular copycat take out recipes at home.

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