Name: Instant Pot Sticky Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pounds chicken thighs; 0.25 cup water; 0.75 cup brown sugar; 0.25 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons fresh ginger; 4 cloves fresh garlic; 0.5 tsp cayenne; 0.25 cup tomato paste

From the Cook

1/5

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken

It is a Keeper Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on It is a Keeper. Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce , ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.

Add chicken to bowl and toss to coat.

Place chicken in a single layer in the pot and add the remaining marinade and water to the pot.

Cover and lock the lid.

Cook on manual setting/high pressure for 15 minutes.

Allow to naturally release for 5 minutes, the quick release any remaining pressure.

While chicken is cooking, combine remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, soy sauce and tomato paste in a small bowl.

Preheat the broiler.

When chicken is done, place in a single layer on a baking sheet and brush with a generous coating of sauce.

Broil for about 5 minutes or until chicken is slightly crisp.

Keep a close watch on the chicken as it may burn quickly.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Marinade Magic 🧊
Marinate chicken thighs in the sauce mixture for 2-4 hours before cooking to intensify flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
Sauce Thickness Hack 🥄
If the sauce is too thin after cooking, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) to quickly thicken and create that perfect sticky consistency.
Ginger-Garlic Power 🧄
Grate fresh ginger and garlic instead of mincing to release more intense oils and create a more robust flavor profile in the sauce.
Browning Technique 🔥
Use the Instant Pot's sauté function to brown chicken thighs before pressure cooking, which will add depth of flavor and create a more appetizing golden exterior.
Spice Level Control 🌶️
Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on heat preference, starting with 1/4 teaspoon and increasing gradually to achieve your ideal spice level.