Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
Introduction
Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is the answer to those weeknight dinner dilemmas—an irresistibly saucy, sweet, and savory meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. This dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor with a fraction of the effort, featuring tender chicken bites coated in a glossy, sesame-studded sauce. Serve it over rice or steamed veggies, and watch it become a family favorite in no time.
Not only does it satisfy cravings for takeout, but its single-pot appeal means cleanup is a breeze. Great for busy evenings or when you want something homemade and delicious without the fuss.
Why This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Is a Crowd-Pleaser
This recipe’s winning qualities boil down to bold flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture, all achieved with an easy pressure cooker method. The Instant Pot locks in juiciness, creating ultra-tender chicken that soaks up every drop of the savory-sweet sauce. Unlike some takeout versions, you control the ingredients, making it a healthier and fresher option.
Gathering and Prepping Ingredients Efficiently
Efficiency starts with prep. Utilize the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to quickly dice onions or slice green onions and carrots for garnish. Pair it with Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen for safe and convenient chopping.
Make sure to pat your chicken dry before cubing, which helps create a better sear and more luscious texture when pressure cooked.
Making the Sesame Chicken in the Instant Pot
Start by sautéing aromatics and browning the chicken in the highly reliable Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart. This versatile kitchen gadget streamlines the cooking process, allowing you to sauté, pressure cook, and simmer all in one device. Once the chicken is browned, combine it with a homemade sesame-soy sauce that balances saltiness, sweetness, and the nutty flavor of toasted sesame oil.
When the pressure cooking is done, a cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce beautifully—just switch back to sauté mode for a couple of minutes.
Serving and Storing Your Sesame Chicken
After cooking, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a fresh finish. Portion leftovers into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to keep them fresh for lunches or meal prep throughout the week. For a no-mess dining or picnic experience, serve your meal on a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White.
Pair your sesame chicken with steamed jasmine rice, sautéed broccoli, or a simple slaw for a balanced meal.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe serves 4, with each portion containing approximately 350–400 calories, depending on additions like rice or noodles. It offers a good source of protein, and you can cut down on sugar or sodium by adjusting the sauce ingredients to suit your preferences.
Flavorful Instant Pot Sesame Chicken (Recap)
Juicy chicken, a sticky sesame sauce, and a speedy, single-pot method: Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is the solution for flavor-packed weeknight dinners that outshine takeout any time. With quick prep, easy cooking, and minimal cleanup, it’s sure to become part of your regular meal lineup.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Select the ‘Sauté’ function on your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart. Pour in the oil, then add cubed chicken. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring until lightly browned.
- Add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and sesame oil. Pour this sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. When done, allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then switch to quick release.
- Open the lid and stir. Add the cornstarch slurry and switch back to ‘Sauté’. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
- Turn off the Instant Pot. Stir in sesame seeds and top with green onions.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or vegetables and store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for easy lunches.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
