Imagine a dinner so incredibly delicious that it transforms your ordinary weeknight meal into a culinary adventure! This Instant Pot Honey Balsamic Chicken with Carrots is not just a recipe—it's a flavor explosion that combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes in one spectacular dish. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family begging for seconds, without spending hours in the kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Slice the carrots into even rounds to ensure they cook uniformly. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and balsamic vinegar until well combined. This will be your sauce for the chicken.
- Set your Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' mode. Once it's hot, add a splash of oil (optional) and sear the chicken breasts for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your Instant Pot.
- Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Pour the sliced carrots into the pot and stir for about 1 minute. This will help to deglaze the bottom of the pot and pick up any flavorful bits left from the chicken.
- Place the chicken breasts back into the Instant Pot on top of the carrots. Pour the honey-balsamic mixture over the chicken, ensuring that the chicken is well-coated.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to 'Sealing'. Cancel the 'Sauté' mode and select 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to 'Venting' to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach at least 165°F (75°C). If necessary, you can set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode again to thicken the sauce for a few minutes.
- Serve the honey balsamic chicken alongside the carrots, drizzling extra sauce over the top if desired. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Tips
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and maximum flavor absorption.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature—165°F is your golden standard for perfectly cooked chicken.
- For extra flavor, consider using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder if you have time.
- Don't skip the searing step! It locks in flavor and creates a beautiful golden exterior.
- Let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 5 minutes to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
- If the sauce is too thin after cooking, use the 'Sauté' function to reduce and thicken it quickly.
- For meal prep, this dish reheats beautifully and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 110mg
