Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (2024)

This is a sweet and tangy, absolutely fantastic Instant Pot sticky chicken recipe! All you need is honey, ketchup, soy sauce and a few other things to pull this Instant Pot recipe together in no time!

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (1)

You can make Instant Pot sticky chicken with things you already have in your pantry. No need to get extra hard to find ingredients.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (2)

Just make the sticky sauce, make the chicken, pour the sauce on the chicken and have the best chicken recipe made ever. Okay that might be a little bit of an exaggeration, but this is one of our favorite family dinners we make often.

You can even make it as an appetizer for your next get together. Make it beforehand or once you get there, either way it’s bound to be a hit!

Add some of our Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Copycat Famous Dave’s Cornbread Muffins, and Hawaiian Pineapple Coleslaw and you have yourself the perfect BBQ meal.

If you want to check out the recipe that inspired this awesome Instant Pot recipe, take a look at our Sticky Sesame Chicken recipe.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (3)

Ingredients Needed For This Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe:

  • Honey
  • Ketchup
  • Sugar
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Frozen popcorn chicken
  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds

How To Make This Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe:

Grab your Instant Pot and plug it in. Then press the SAUTE button and let it warm up.

Now, add in the honey, ketchup, sugar, white distilled vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to the inner pot and mix everything together.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (4)

Let that come to a boil while stirring it often. Allow it to simmer for a little bit for it to thicken up a little bit.

Then, add in a ½ of water and stir it all together again.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (5)

Next, pour in the frozen popcorn chicken into the pot with the sauce.

Mix the chicken into the honey sauce, make sure to get all of the chicken covered.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (6)

Once that is done, press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute function.

Then, put the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the valve to the SEALING position.

After the lid has been locked in place, press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 7 minutes.

When the chicken is done cooking, allow the Instant Pot to do a quick release of the pressure by turning the valve to the VENTING position.

Once the pressure is released, remove the lid and stir the chicken together.

Now, just serve the sticky chicken over cooked rice, and top it with the chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (7)

To Make This Instant Pot Favorite Recipe You Will Need:

  1. Instant Pot (THIS is a great one!)
  2. Wooden spoon

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (8)

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Watch How to Make this Sticky Chicken Recipe!

Make the Perfect Rice

I am not sure if I am the only one who occasionally struggles to make my cooked rice turn out perfect or not but, if not keep reading.

Somehow my rice turns out either undercooked or overcooked when I make my rice on the stove top. I could quite seem to find the best way to achieve tasty perfectly cooked rice every time.

That’s when I came across The Mom 100 Katie Workman’s blog on How to Cook Perfect Rice on the Stovetop. Since trying out her recipe my rice has been amazing! Make sure to check it out.

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Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (9)

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Make Your Next Meal In the Instant Pot with One of These Scrumptious Recipes:

  • Instant Pot Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe
  • Instant Pot Chicken Gyros Recipe
  • Instant Pot Black Bean Corn Salsa Chicken Recipe (Freezer Meal)
  • Instant Pot Ground Beef Lazy Lasagna Recipe
  • Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Freezer Meal) Recipe

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (10)

Serves: 6

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe

4.50 from 4 votes

This is a sweet and tangy, absolutely fantastic Instant Pot sticky chicken recipe!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Pressurize Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons honey
  • 4 Tablespoons ketchup
  • 4 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • pounds frozen popcorn chicken
  • green onions
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot. Add honey, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and salt and pepper to the pot and mix together. Bring sauce to a boil while stirring and simmer for a few minutes until sauce slightly thickens.

  • Add 1/2 cup of water and stir.

  • Pour in your frozen popcorn chicken. Toss the chicken in the sauce so that all the chicken is covered.

  • Put your lid on the pot and put the VALVE on sealing (not venting).

  • Press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute, then press MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) and set timer for 7 minutes.

  • Once the chicken is done cooking, do a QUICK RELEASE of the pressure.

  • Stir chicken with the sauce and then serve hot over rice.

  • Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 240 kcal · Carbohydrates: 28 g · Protein: 25 g · Fat: 3 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 73 mg · Sodium: 558 mg · Potassium: 475 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 28 g · Vitamin A: 85 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 10 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

  • Wooden Spoon

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (11)

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Join The Discussion

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  1. Jill says:

    Can you help give instructions as to how to do this recipe in the crockpot instead of Instapot?

  2. Momma Cyd says:

    We have not yet tried this exact recipe in the slow cooker with the frozen popcorn chicken, but we have other slow cooker sticky chicken recipes. Here are a few of our favorites:https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/slow-cooker-sticky-garlic-chicken/https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/slow-cooker-sticky-chicken-wings/https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/slow-cooker-sticky-chicken-recipe/

  3. Stephanie says:

    Love your recipes! Unfortunately this one didn't work for me :( My IP didn't pressurize properly and the sauce burned in the bottom.

  4. Paul says:

    Can I use frozen Tyson chicken nuggets instead of popcorn chicken

  5. Momma Cyd says:

    Yes, chicken nuggets will work great too.

  6. Evie Ko says:

    Unfortunately this recipe did not work for me. I received a "burn" notice twice. Adding more water created a pastey gooey sauce. It tasted good but I couldn't serve it. The brand of popcorn chicken used by the recipe creator is probably quite important for this recipe.

  7. Kate says:

    The flavor is good but I’ve made this recipe twice and always get the burn notice - like others have commented. Adding more water created a mushy textured sauce. Not sure what would solve this in the future.

    Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (12)

  8. Kristin says:

    I am anxious to try this tonight but the video says set to venting not sealed but the written instructions say to seal it, what do I do?

  9. Momma Cyd says:

    It's SEALING

  10. Amanda Burke says:

    I have a large family and I was hoping I could safely double thos recipe. If would instructions differ?

  11. Momma Cyd says:

    When doubling a recipe or reducing the size of a recipe, the cook time stays the same. Just be sure you have plenty of room in your instant pot. Hoping you have the big one since you have a large family.

  12. Patty says:

    My Grandkids request this recipe…it’s delicious!!!

    Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (13)

  13. Amanda Burke says:

    Thank you for your response! Do you double all ingredients?

  14. Momma Cyd says:

    Yes, if your Instant Pot is big enough to hold it all. If not, you can always make it in 2 batches. Some like more sauce with their chicken, so you can double the sauce amounts.

  15. mamaswats says:

    this recipe was way to sweet and the sauce was too solid ,it also made the popcorn chicken have a strange texture similar to being raw, i wont make this again

  16. Aubrey Cork says:

    I love six sisters recipes but this one was a flop. My instant pot got a burn notice so I had to add some water and then the whole thing became a mushy mess and burned again. Bummer! I was excited to try it.

  17. Karen H says:

    This is a new family favorite. It is also an easy dinner for busy days during the week.

    Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (14)

  18. Kit says:

    Revised review I made it again today using the air fryer for the chicken, instant pot for the rice, yes I salvaged my pot and made the sauce on the stove it was really good. Don’t follow the recipe on paper in the video Kristen shows it differently in the video. I’m thinking that was what happen I put the ingredients in the ip as written. All in all this recipe is really good we loved it made it for lunch today

    Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (15)

  19. Kit says:

    Please read my revised review

Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (16)

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Instant Pot Sticky Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my Instant Pot chicken come out rubbery? ›

They cook quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you don't cook them long enough they get a weird, rubber-like texture that's nearly impossible to chew, and if you cook them too long, their texture gets dry.

What is sticky chicken made of? ›

ingredients
  1. 34 cup tomato sauce (ketchup)
  2. 13 cup sweet chili sauce.
  3. 13 cup char siu sauce.
  4. 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  5. 2 teaspoons ginger (finely grated)
  6. 1 tablespoon sesame oil.
  7. 2 kg chicken pieces (see note above)
  8. 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (lightly toasted)

Does cooking chicken longer in Instant Pot make it more tender? ›

This dinner staple cooks up perfectly every time in the Instant Pot. You can aim for firm but juicy chicken for cubing, or let it cook a little bit longer for tender shredded chicken.

Can you overcook chicken in the Instapot? ›

Safe Chicken Temperature and Resting Period

For chicken breasts always aim for rather 155F. Within 4-5 minutes the temperature will rise to 165F. If you aim for 165F right after opening the lid, you'r chicken will overcook during resting time.

What happens if you cook chicken too long in Instant Pot? ›

While all cuts of chicken are fair game for the Instant Pot, thighs are the most forgiving. Because chicken breast is so lean, just a couple of extra minutes of cook time turns them from juicy to overcooked and dry.

Does chicken get tough in Instant Pot? ›

Yes, you can! Pressure Cookers don't work the same as slow cookers, where longer cooking times equal more juicy and tender meat. Too much time in a pressure cooker will create dry tough meat.

Why is my sticky chicken not sticky? ›

Ensure your heat is not too low, the sauce needs to bubble to reduce and thicken. Also ensure you do not add the chicken back into the pan until the sauce has thickened.

How to thicken sticky chicken sauce? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

Is Sticky chicken still good? ›

If after thawing, you touch the chicken and it feels sticky or tacky—run the chicken under cool water. If the sticky or tackiness remains or it still feels slimy, the chicken has gone bad. Do not cook with it, throw it away.

Should chicken be submerged in an Instant Pot? ›

Note: You can submerge your chicken directly in the cooking liquid, especially if you want to make chicken stock. However, the steamer basket method ensures crispy skin and won't wash away the seasoning. Individual chicken pieces can be cooked in much the same way as a whole chicken.

Why is my Instant Pot chicken so dry? ›

If your instant pot chicken is dry, you may have overcooked it. Don't worry – you can fix this!

Is it better to cook chicken breast or thighs in the Instant Pot? ›

Bone-In Chicken Breast (12 ounces each): 10 minutes + 5 minutes natural release (for fresh); 25 minutes + immediate release (for frozen) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs (3 ounces each): 6 minutes (for fresh) or 12 minutes (for frozen + immediate release.

Is it better to pressure cook or slow cook chicken? ›

Well, it really depends on what you're making. The Instant Pot cooks chicken much faster than its non-pressure counterparts, but the resulting texture isn't going to be the same as what you'd get with a slow cooker or Dutch oven.

What happens if Instapot is too full? ›

Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn't cook properly.

Can chicken still be pink after pressure cooking? ›

Color does not indicate doneness. The USDA further explains that even fully cooked poultry can sometimes show a pinkish tinge in the meat and juices. This is particularly true of young chickens whose bones and skin are still very permeable.

What causes chicken to have a rubbery texture? ›

Overcooking might play a role in your chicken's tire-like texture. Leaving chicken in a pan, oven, or grill for just a little too long can suck the moisture right out and leave you with a dry, rubbery bird. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

How do you fix undercooked chicken in an Instant Pot? ›

If the chicken is still not cooked to at least 160 degrees, secure the instant pot lid and cook for 1-3 minutes longer, on high pressure.) Allow the chicken to rest 5 minutes before cutting, or shredding.

Why is fast food chicken rubbery? ›

Good news first: Scientists have discovered what is known as "woody breast" a myopathy/muscle disease in the muscle of chicken. Essentially, it's a disorder where the chicken's muscle fibers don't function properly, leading to a hard, rubbery texture in the meat.

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