This Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken delivers restaurant-quality Asian flavors in just 45 minutes using your pressure cooker.
Quick Answer: Make Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken by pressure cooking diced chicken in a sweet-savory sauce of honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil for 8 minutes. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch, then garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Asian-American Fusion
Yield: 4 servings
Dietary: Dairy-free
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and savory sauce with perfect sticky texture
- Hands-off cooking with minimal cleanup
- Kid-friendly and great for busy weeknights
- More affordable than takeout
- Perfect for meal prep and reheats beautifully
Quick Benefits
Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken combines the convenience of pressure cooking with takeout flavors at home. The honey-based sauce creates an irresistible glaze while the Instant Pot ensures tender chicken every time.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 tsp cornstarch
- 6 tbsp water
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, diced onion, ketchup, vegetable oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and cook on the MEAT setting for 20 minutes. Use quick release to release the pressure once done.
- Take the chicken out of the pot, leaving the sauce inside.
- Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Add this mixture to the sauce in the Instant Pot. Press the SAUTE button and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
- Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the pot. Toss to coat with the thickened sauce.
- Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles. Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
You Must Know
- Cut chicken pieces uniformly for even cooking
- Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry – it creates the perfect sauce texture
- Allow full 5 minutes natural release to prevent tough chicken
- Use low-sodium soy sauce if sensitive to salt
- Sauce will thicken more as it cools
Serving Suggestions
- Steamed jasmine or brown rice
- Stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or snap peas
- Asian cucumber salad
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
Creative Variations
- Swap chicken for pork tenderloin, adjusting cook time to 6 minutes
- Add vegetables like bell peppers after pressure cooking
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for different sweetness
- Add orange zest for citrus notes
Cultural Notes
This recipe is an Americanized adaptation of Chinese sesame chicken. While not traditionally authentic, it represents the evolution of Chinese-American cuisine, which developed to cater to American palates while maintaining Asian cooking techniques and flavors.
Pro Tips
- Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until fragrant for better flavor
- Pat chicken dry before browning for better caramelization
- Use fresh ginger instead of powder for brighter taste
- Double the sauce if you like extra for rice
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken with frozen chicken?
A: Yes, add 3-4 minutes to pressure cooking time if using frozen chicken pieces.
Q: How long does this keep in the refrigerator?
A: Properly stored in an airtight container, it keeps for 3-4 days.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
Q: Is this recipe very sweet?
A: The sweetness is balanced by soy sauce and sesame oil. Adjust honey to taste.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Health Benefits
This Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken provides lean protein from chicken breast, while sesame seeds add healthy fats and minerals. Using a pressure cooker helps retain more nutrients compared to long-cooking methods. The homemade sauce allows control over sodium and sugar content.
Nutrition
(Per serving, estimate) Calories: 425 • Carbs: 35g • Protein: 38g • Fat: 16g • Sodium: 890mg
Notes
For best results, serve immediately while sauce is at its optimal consistency. Leftovers may need additional liquid when reheating.
Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
This Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken delivers restaurant-quality Asian flavors in just 45 minutes using your pressure cooker.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
- For best results, serve immediately while sauce is at its optimal consistency. Leftovers may need additional liquid when reheating.