Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy a delicious and quick homemade meal with this Instant Pot sesame chicken recipe. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a flavorful soy-ginger sauce, thickened to perfection, and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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

1. Step 1: Add the chicken to the Instant Pot, followed by soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, ketchup, and hot sauce or sriracha. Stir everything quickly to combine.
2. Step 2: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is in the sealing position. Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button depending on your model, and set to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Once the cooking time is finished and the Instant Pot beeps, carefully release the steam by turning the vent to the RELEASE position. Keep your face away from the steam to avoid burns.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid carefully, then press the SAUTE setting. Add the honey (or brown sugar) and toasted sesame oil to the pot.
5. Step 5: Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Add this slurry to the sauce and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens. Turn off the SAUTE setting.
6. Step 6: If the sauce needs to be thicker, prepare and add another tablespoon of cornstarch slurry and stir until desired consistency is reached.
7. Step 7: Serve the sesame chicken over rice, garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, increase the amount of hot sauce or add chili flakes.
• Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
• You can add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli during the sauté step for a complete meal.
• Use brown sugar instead of honey if you prefer a deeper caramel flavor.

Storage

Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

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. Just increase the pressure cooking time to about 8 minutes to ensure the chicken cooks through safely.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative to keep the dish gluten-free while maintaining the savory flavor.

Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 66 reviews

This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful sauce of soy, garlic, ginger, honey, and sesame, finished with a thickened glaze and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Quick and easy, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner served over rice.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 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 and Garnish

• ¼ cup honey (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (plus additional 1 tablespoon water)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (to garnish)
• Chopped green onion (to garnish)

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients in Instant Pot: Add the chicken pieces into the Instant Pot. Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, ketchup, and hot sauce or sriracha. Stir everything quickly to combine all the flavors evenly.
2. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting depending on your model, and set it to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
3. Release Pressure: After cooking, allow the Instant Pot to come to full pressure and countdown to end. When it beeps, carefully turn the vent to the RELEASE position to quickly release the steam, keeping your face away from the steam vent as it will be very hot.
4. Sauté and Add Honey Sesame Sauce: Remove the lid carefully. Press the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot. Add the honey (or brown sugar) and toasted sesame oil to the pot. Prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until smooth.
5. Thicken the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pot with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. If the sauce is still too thin, add another tablespoon of slurry and cook a little longer.
6. Finish and Serve: Turn off the SAUTE function once the sauce has thickened. Serve the sesame chicken hot over cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions to add texture and vibrant flavor.

Notes

• Be cautious when releasing the pressure to avoid burns from hot steam.
• Adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce or sriracha.
• For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, prepare extra cornstarch slurry ahead of time.
• Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts for a juicier texture.

Keywords: Instant Pot sesame chicken, pressure cooker chicken, Asian chicken recipe, easy dinner, quick sesame chicken