• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

Loading

 

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Search...
Home Recipe Index

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

★★★★★ 4.8 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Polly Conner
By: Polly ConnerPosted: 2/1/23Updated: 9/22/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

A little sweet and a little spicy, this EASY Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken recipe is BIG on flavor and takes just minutes. It’s a fan favorite and also freezer friendly!

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Pin Image

 
Table of Contents
  • Reasons You’ll Love Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
  • How Long Does Chicken Breast Cook in the Instant Pot?
  • Instant Pot Cooking Times Chart
  • Tips For Cooking Chicken in the Instant Pot
  • What Should I Know About Cooking with Bourbon?
  • How to Freeze Bourbon Chicken
  • Can I Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken in the Slow Cooker?
  • How to Serve Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
  • More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
  • Recipe: Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Reasons You’ll Love Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

1. Like most of our Instant Pot recipes, super simple to make.

Simply dump the ingredients in the Instant Pot and cook it for 7 minutes. After it’s done, you can quickly thicken up the sauce using what’s called a cornstarch slurry. It’s optional yet quite easy.

2. Bourbon Chicken is complex in flavor.

Thanks to ingredients like fresh ginger (just keep some in the freezer to have on hand), soy sauce (or substitute gluten-free coconut aminos), honey, green onions, and, of course, bourbon. (More on the bourbon in a minute.)

3. My kids love it!

It’s a little spicy, but you can always pull back on the spice if your family has a sensitive palate. Here are more kid-friendly recipe ideas if you’re on the hunt for some!

4. It’s been very well-tested.

Both of us, as well as our 500 person recipe-testing team for our cookbook! In fact, we spent nearly two years developing and refining the recipes in From Freezer to Cooker. It was quite a feat because every single recipe works in the slow cooker, the Instant Pot, and includes freezer meal instructions!

5. It’s naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free.

With our substitutions, this recipe will work for both dairy-free and gluten-free diets. (According to Beyond Celiac, most bourbon is gluten-free due to the distillation process.)

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken with Vegetables

How Long Does Chicken Breast Cook in the Instant Pot?

Now here’s the key to delicious Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken: Do not overcook your chicken! If you follow our recipe, you’re good to go. But…be sure to download and print off our Instant Pot Cooking Times Chart that we spent two years developing for our cookbook. This guide will help you pressure cook both fresh and frozen meals perfectly! It’s our gift to you!

Instant Pot Cooking Times Chart CTA.
A Must Have for Instant Pot Users

Instant Pot Cooking Times Chart

After testing hundreds of Instant Pot recipes, we have honed in on the best timing and methods for cooking different types of meals in the Instant Pot.

Loading

Tips For Cooking Chicken in the Instant Pot

  1. In order for the 6 quart Instant Pot to work, it needs a minimum of 1 cup of liquid. If you have an 8 quart Instant Pot, it needs at least 1 1/2 cups of liquid.
  2. Because chicken breast is so easy to overcook, we always use the quick release method. Quick release is when you turn the pressure release valve to “open” or “venting” (depending on IP model) at the completion of the cooking cycle. This forces the steam to release from the Instant Pot quickly.
  3. Do not stack chicken when cooking in the Instant Pot. It will cook unevenly. This is especially true for frozen chicken. Try to spread it out evenly along the bottom as much as you can.
  4. Use a meat thermometer like the one we recommend here to determine doneness. All poultry must cook to the safe temperature of 165°F internally (or no more pink inside). You don’t want to cook it longer than that or it will get dried out.
  5. If cooking chicken from frozen, make sure to read our post about how to prepare and cook freezer meals in the Instant Pot. Seriously, don’t skip it.
  6. If you have more questions about the Instant Pot, swing by and browse Instant Pot 101.
overhead shot of Chicken breast with sauce in the Instant Pot

What Should I Know About Cooking with Bourbon?

I personally don’t drink or enjoy the taste of bourbon. However, when used in cooking, I’ve found that the bourbon lends a smoky, caramel-like sweetness that’s hard to replicate with another ingredient.

If you have kids, don’t worry, the alcohol will almost entirely evaporate when the sauce is simmered at the end. Look for small bottles by the liquor counter, if you don’t have some at home in your cabinet.

Wondering what you can use as a replacement for bourbon? One of our readers said she used chicken stock as a replacement with good results.

How to Freeze Bourbon Chicken

Like most of our freezer meals, this freezer-friendly chicken dish is one you can easily double, eat one for dinner tonight, and freeze the other for later. Here’s how easy it is to make ahead and freeze:

Freeze for Later: Make the sauce. Place the sauce and chicken into a gallon-size freezer bag or container. Seal and freeze (if using a freezer bag, set it in a bowl or round container with a diameter similar to the Instant Pot so it will fit in the pot when frozen.) You can freeze with a bag of frozen rice and frozen stir fry veggies to make this a meal kit.

From Frozen: Note: Have cornstarch, and (optional) cooked rice and stir-fried veggies on hand to complete this meal. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute.” Transfer the frozen meal to the pot and cook for 5 minutes to release some liquid. Press “Cancel.”

Lock, seal the lid, and cook at high pressure for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Then, thicken the sauce using a cornstarch slurry in Step 3 of the recipe. Serve over rice and with stir-fried veggies.

Chicken in a marinade in a freezer bag

Can I Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken in the Slow Cooker?

You bet! In fact, we have a whole post walking you through how to make Bourbon Chicken in the Slow Cooker.

honey bourbon chicken on a white dish.

How to Serve Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Round out this spicy-sweet chicken and sauce by serving it on top of some brown rice (or quinoa or cauliflower rice) and stir-fried veggies.

To save time, buy pre-made brown rice at the store and use the frozen stir-fry vegetable mix.

Close up of finished Bourbon Chicken with Vegetables

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

If you’re on the prowl for more easy Instant Pot recipes that you can freeze, here are some others that we love in our homes…

Chicken and Cheese Taquitos piled on a serving platter with avocado lime salsa on top. Other toppings are nearby, like avocado, tomatoes, and salsa.

Instant Pot Chicken Taquitos

instant pot tortilla soup

Instant Pot Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Baked chicken drumsticks on a plate with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

Instant Pot 4-Ingredient Chicken Drumsticks

maple glazed pork on a plate with brussels and rice

Instant Pot Pork Loin with Maple Glaze

Browse All

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

honey bourbon chicken on a white dish.
★★★★★ 4.8 from 5 reviews

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

A little sweet and a little spicy, this EASY Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken recipe is BIG on flavor and takes just minutes. It’s a fan favorite and also freezer friendly!

Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 7 minutesTotal: 12 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later
  • Email
Scale:

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (For Gluten-Free: Use coconut aminos or GF Tamari soy sauce.)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup organic or all-natural ketchup
  • 1/4 cup bourbon or other whiskey (For Gluten-Free: Omit or use chicken stock/broth instead.)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (decrease to 1/8 teaspoon, if sensitive to heat)
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds boneless, skinless medium chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cooked basmati rice or brown rice, for serving
  • Stir-fried vegetables, for serving

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In the Instant Pot, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, bourbon, oil, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and green onions. Add the chicken and stir to coat. (Freezing instructions begin here.)

  2. Pressure Cook: Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, then quick release the pressure. (The chicken is done when it is no longer pink inside and/or registers 165ÅãF internally.)

  3. Dice Chicken: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, dice or shred the meat, and set aside.

  4. Thicken Sauce: Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Stir this cornstarch mixture into the sauce and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes. Press “Cancel.”

  5. Serve: Stir the chicken back into the sauce to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. Serve over basmati or brown rice. Garnish with green onions and serve with stir-fried vegetables, if desired.

Freeze For Later:

Follow Step 1. Pour the sauce and chicken into a gallon-size freezer bag or container. Seal and freeze (if using a freezer bag, set it in a bowl or round container with a diameter similar to the Instant Pot so it will fit in the pot when frozen).

Prepare From Frozen:

Note: Have cornstarch and (optional) cooked rice and stir-fried veggies on hand to complete this meal. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Transfer the frozen meal to the pot and cook for 5 minutes to release some liquid. Press “Cancel.” Follow step 2, but cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Follow steps 3 through 5.

© Author: Polly Conner
Cuisine: American Method: Instant Pot

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Rate Recipe

Tag Us on Instagram

Instant pot freezer meal collage.

Want More Instant Pot Freezer Meals?

We’ve got you covered. Hop over to this post highlighting 20+ Best of the Best Freezer Meals for the Instant Pot. It includes freezer meal instructions for EVERY recipe plus tons of pro tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years.

See the Instant Pot Freezer Meals

730 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. AvatarShannon says

    Posted on 10/22/23 at 7:00 pm

    Made this for family tonight. They loved it, even the kids. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 10/23/23 at 11:36 am

      Glad to hear it was enjoyed by all Shannon! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  2. AvatarTricia M says

    Posted on 4/3/23 at 4:12 pm

    Honey Bourbon chicken is a staple in our house! It’s the best dump and go recipe. No cooking before hand really helps prep. It’s my favorite to bring to a freezer swap. We just get frozen stir fry and minute rice and it’s an easy after school recipe for this teacher. It is so yummy and delicious! Maybe one of the fastest preps on the whole website!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. AvatarMrslalipop says

    Posted on 7/21/22 at 12:33 am

    Good recipe. As we are a dry house, I omitted the bourbon. I have made it with chicken broth and just plain water in place of the bourbon. Still a good tasting dish!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 7/21/22 at 9:51 am

      Well that’s great to know you had good results without the bourbon. Thank you so much for that feedback.

      Reply
  4. AvatarBrittany says

    Posted on 11/16/21 at 11:13 am

    Loved this recipe! The chicken was so flavorful! The whole
    Family loved it. I added 1tbsp brown sugar to the sauce and also added Asian blend steamable veggies at the end. Definitely will be making this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 11/16/21 at 11:18 am

      Thanks for the review and suggestions, Brittany. So happy to hear it was a win for you!

      Reply
  5. AvatarJessica L says

    Posted on 2/17/21 at 5:11 pm

    This one was a winner with my whole crew tonight! Printing it off so I can make again! I found your recipe via your weekly meal plans on IG— thank you for doing those!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 2/18/21 at 9:35 am

      This is a fave in our house, too. So glad it work for you all, Jessica. Thanks for the review!

      Reply

sidebar

polly and rachel

Welcome

We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

Follow Us On Instagram!

freezer cooking

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More

freezer to table

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More
Dump and go freezer meal email cta.

Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour

  1. Shopping & equipment lists
  2. Step-by-Step instructions & video tutorial
  3. Serving suggestions & dietary substitutions & more

Try Session 18 (a $6.99 value) for free!

Loading

Holiday Recipes

Pork tenderloin sliced and on a plate with salad.

Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Overhead portrait photo of tomato bisque soup

Tomato Bisque

Chicken lettuce wraps laying on a white serving platter.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Seasoned cooked steak sliced on a plate with steamed broccoli and a baked potato.

The Perfect Pan-Seared Steak

Popular Gift Guides

Gift Guide for Moms

Teen girl gift guide

Gift Guide: Teenage Girls

Teen boy gift guide

30+ Best Gifts for Teen Boys

Tween boy gift guide

Gift Guide: Tween Boys (Ages 10-13)

Tween girl gift guide

Gift Guide: Tween Girls (Ages 10-13)

Gift guide for 5-9 year olds

Gift Guide: Boys Ages 5-9

Gift guide for elementary girl

Gift Guide: Girls Ages 5-9

Preschool boys gift guide

Gift Guide: Boys Ages 3-5

Popular Round-Ups

20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes

freezer meal

100+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet

25+ Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Collage image of Christmas Crafts for kids.

31+ Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

freezer meal update
New to freezer cooking?

Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

Loading

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

About
About Us
Work With Us
Press
Recipes
All Recipes
Freezer Meals
Menu Plans
Shop
Cookbooks
1 Hour Prep Sessions
Gift Guides
Explore
Free Resources
Shop Our Favorites
Facebook Group
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2023 Thriving Home
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
730 shares