Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken: Sweet, Savory Comfort in Minutes

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Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors wrapped around juicy, pressure-cooked chicken. This recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights, meal prep, or stress-free family dinners.

Honey mustard sauce has long been a favorite because it balances sweetness, acidity, and savory depth so effortlessly. In this version, Dijon mustard provides sharpness, whole-grain mustard adds texture, and honey softens everything into a smooth, crave-worthy sauce. Cooking it in the Instant Pot locks in moisture and infuses the chicken with flavor in a fraction of the time traditional methods require.

What truly sets this dish apart is its versatility. Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles, or pair it with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. It’s comforting without being heavy and flavorful without being overpowering.

This recipe is also beginner-friendly. No complicated steps, no long marinades, and no babysitting the stove. Just mix, pressure cook, and thicken the sauce—dinner is done.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken

  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • One-pot pressure cooker meal
  • Sweet and tangy crowd-pleasing flavor
  • Juicy, tender chicken every time
  • Perfect for meal prep and leftovers

It’s a reliable recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat olive oil. Add chicken and sear briefly on both sides, then remove and set aside.
  3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
  5. Stir in Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, and honey until smooth.
  6. Return chicken to the pot, coating it in the sauce.
  7. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes (10 minutes for thick chicken breasts).
  8. Allow a 5-minute natural release, then quick release remaining pressure.
  9. Remove chicken and set Instant Pot to Sauté. Stir together cornstarch and water, add to the sauce, and simmer until thickened.
  10. Return chicken to the pot, spoon sauce over the top, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken

Tender chicken pressure-cooked in a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 plates
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 0.25 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • 0.33 cup honey
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Tongs
  • Small bowl
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Season and sear chicken using sauté mode.
  2. Deglaze pot with broth and stir in honey mustard sauce.
  3. Pressure cook chicken until tender.
  4. Thicken sauce and return chicken to coat.

Notes

Sauce thickens as it cools; adjust consistency as desired.

Tips for the Best Honey Mustard Chicken

  • Thighs are extra juicy, but breasts work perfectly
  • Deglaze well to avoid burn warnings
  • Adjust sweetness: Add more honey or mustard to taste
  • Thicken gradually: Sauce thickens more as it cools

Variations and Flavor Ideas

  • Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne
  • Creamy version: Stir in ¼ cup cream or coconut milk
  • Garlic-forward: Add extra cloves
  • Low-sugar: Reduce honey and add a splash of apple cider vinegar

Serving Suggestions

Serve Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken with:

  • Steamed rice or jasmine rice
  • Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash
  • Roasted carrots or green beans
  • Buttered noodles
  • Simple side salad

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with extra sauce to keep the chicken moist.

Why Pressure Cooking Works So Well

The Instant Pot traps steam and pressure, cooking chicken quickly while preserving moisture. The sauce penetrates deeply, creating rich flavor in minutes instead of hours

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