Make a healthier, quicker version of a takeout classic at home with this Instant Pot Sesame Chicken. Prepare and cook this dish in minutes for a super easy weeknight meal.
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This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is arriving just in time for all the back to school craziness and I’m here for it. And there is just so much to love about a 3 minute pressure cooker situation that results in tender, saucy, health(ier) Chinese takeout classic.
Next Level Instant Pot Recipe
My favorite kind of Instant Pot recipes are of the dump and cook variety and that’s exactly what this one entails. A quick whisk of all the sauce ingredients, stir in the cubed chicken and it’s ready to cook.
There is an optional step at the end to thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. I definitely prefer a thicker, stickier sauce so I would recommend it. And it only takes a couple minutes using the saute setting so no additional dirty dishes required.
Healthier Version of a Takeout Classic
I love making fakeout takeout recipes at home for several minutes. They are usually super quick to prepare. We’re talking faster than ordering and picking up or waiting for delivery.
You also are able to control the ingredients that go into your dishes and the health factor of those ingredients. I’ll be the first to admit I love a deep fried sesame chicken dish and I have no shame indulging in that craving from time to time.
But when I’m home on a busy weeknight I usually want to keep things lighter and healthier for my family. Oh, and easier. Nobody has time for the prep and clean up of fried chicken on the regular.
This sesame chicken is sweetened with honey which also adds that needed stickiness to the dish. A few other simple ingredients and you have a perfectly sweet and salty sauce to coat chunks of chicken breast (or thighs if you prefer).
Once you have a few staple Asian ingredients, there are so many dishes you can make. This beef and broccoli is one of my personal favorites. So skip the takeout tonight and make this ridiculously simple Instant Pot Sesame Chicken.
Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. grated ginger
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1/2 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tsp. sesame seeds, divided
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds to Instant Pot. Whisk to combine. Add chicken and stir to coat. Seal Instant Pot and cook on high manual mode for 3 minutes. Naturally release for 5 minutes then release remaining pressure by opening valve.
- Turn saute mode on. Whisk together cornstarch and water then add to Instant Pot. Stir until sauce has thickened. Serve over rice or steamed vegetables.
