Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Instant Pot sesame chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful way to enjoy a classic takeout favorite at home. Tender chicken pieces simmer in a savory, tangy sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. It’s easy to prepare and makes a great weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size or 1-inch pieces)
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 inch ginger (peeled and grated)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or sriracha
- ¼ cup honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (and 1 tablespoon water)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (to garnish)
- Chopped green onion (to garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the chicken to the Instant Pot, followed by soy sauce, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and hot sauce or sriracha. Stir everything quickly to combine.
- Step 2: Cover the pot with the lid, ensuring the valve is in the sealing position. Select MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK mode (depending on your Instant Pot model) and set to high pressure for 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Once cooking is complete and the Instant Pot beeps, carefully turn the valve to RELEASE to quickly release the steam. Keep your face away from the vent to avoid hot steam.
- Step 4: Remove the lid and switch the Instant Pot to the SAUTE setting. Add the honey (or brown sugar), toasted sesame oil, and prepare the cornstarch slurry.
- Step 5: To make the slurry, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Stir this into the sauce, cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens. Turn off the saute mode once desired thickness is reached.
- Step 6: If needed, add more cornstarch slurry in small increments to achieve a thicker sauce.
- Step 7: Serve the sesame chicken over rice, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the soy sauce and garlic mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less hot sauce or sriracha according to your taste.
- You can swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier result.
- Add steamed broccoli or snap peas for a colorful veggie boost.
Storage
Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken pieces, but increase the pressure cooking time to 8-10 minutes to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
Is there a substitute for cornstarch in the slurry?
Yes, you can use arrowroot powder or all-purpose flour as a thickener, but cornstarch gives the best silky texture and clear sauce.
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Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken pieces cooked quickly under pressure and coated in a savory, slightly spicy sesame sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey with a subtle kick from hot sauce, finished with a glossy sesame glaze and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size or 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and grated
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or sriracha
Sauce Enhancements
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Place the chicken pieces into the Instant Pot. Add soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, ketchup, and hot sauce or sriracha. Stir everything quickly to combine the flavors.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to sealing. Select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting, depending on your model, and set the cooking time to 3 minutes on high pressure.
- Quick Release the Pressure: After cooking, let the Instant Pot build pressure and cook. When the timer beeps, carefully turn the pressure valve to RELEASE to quickly release the steam. Keep your face clear of the vent to avoid hot steam burns.
- Activate Saute Mode: Remove the lid cautiously and turn on the SAUTE mode on the Instant Pot. Add honey or brown sugar and toasted sesame oil to the pot to build the sauce flavors.
- Make and Add Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry. Stir this into the pot and keep stirring with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Turn off SAUTE mode once desired thickness is reached.
- Adjust Sauce Thickness: If the sauce needs to be thicker, prepare an additional tablespoon of cornstarch slurry and stir it into the sauce until it reaches the preferred consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the sesame chicken over cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- To avoid overcooking, cut chicken into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce or sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute brown sugar for honey if you prefer a deeper sweetness.
- Make sure to toast the sesame seeds beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Instant Pot sesame chicken, sesame chicken recipe, pressure cooker chicken, quick Asian chicken, healthy sesame chicken, easy dinner recipe
