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Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Tender bite-size chicken is pressure-cooked in a honey-soy sauce with garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. A simple cornstarch slurry turns the cooking liquid into a glossy sauce just before serving.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Sauce
  • 2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup Low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Toasted sesame oil
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 cup Low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Thickener and Garnish
  • 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons Cold water
  • 1-2 tablespoons Sesame seeds
  • 2 Green onions, thinly sliced

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes.
  2. Pour the chicken broth into the 6-quart Instant Pot first. Add the chicken pieces, then pour the honey-soy mixture over the top without aggressively stirring.
  3. Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
  4. Allow a 5-minute natural release, then carefully vent the remaining pressure. Check that the chicken reaches at least 165°F/74°C internally.
  5. Remove the chicken temporarily if desired. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté, whisk the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then stir the slurry into the hot sauce.
  6. Simmer for 1–3 minutes, stirring, until glossy and thickened. Return the chicken to the pot, coat it in the sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Add broth before the concentrated honey sauce to reduce the risk of a burn warning. Always add the cornstarch slurry after pressure cooking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently.