Easy Instant Pot Sesame Chicken: Quick, Flavorful & Healthier Than Takeout
Skip the pricey takeout tonight and savor the incredible flavors of this homemade Instant Pot Sesame Chicken. This classic Asian dish is not only deliciously sweet and tangy with a wonderfully sticky sauce, but it’s also ready in a fraction of the time it usually takes. Featuring juicy, tender chicken coated in an irresistible glaze, this recipe is a must-have for your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s simple, satisfying, and bound to become a family favorite!
When the craving for a flavorful Asian-inspired dinner strikes, many of us automatically reach for the takeout menu. However, with the magic of the Instant Pot, you can recreate that beloved restaurant-quality sesame chicken right in your own kitchen, often in less time than it takes for delivery! This recipe combines succulent chicken with a vibrant, perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, savory, and just a little bit spicy. It’s a dish that consistently receives rave reviews, making it a go-to for my household. If you love bold flavors and quick meals, you’ll also adore other Asian-inspired dishes like my Sweet and Sour Shrimp or Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe
This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a game-changer for busy cooks and flavor enthusiasts alike. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:
- Unbeatable Speed: Forget long marinating or cooking times. Thanks to the pressure cooker, this entire dish comes together in about 20 minutes, including prep! It’s faster than ordering takeout and incredibly convenient for busy weeknights.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: Achieve that authentic, deep, and complex flavor profile usually found in your favorite Asian restaurants. The sauce is perfectly balanced – sweet from the honey, tangy from the rice vinegar, savory from the soy sauce, and aromatic from garlic and ginger.
- Healthier Alternative: By making it at home, you have full control over the ingredients. This recipe uses lean chicken thighs (or breast if preferred) and avoids the excessive oil and deep-frying often associated with takeout versions, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying meal.
- Simple, One-Pot Cooking: The Instant Pot handles almost everything, making cleanup a breeze. Just a few easy steps from start to finish mean less time scrubbing pots and more time enjoying your delicious meal.
- Versatile and Customizable: Whether you prefer it mild or with a kick, want to load it with veggies, or serve it over rice or noodles, this recipe is incredibly adaptable to your family’s preferences.
Ready to ditch the delivery and whip up this fantastic meal yourself? Let’s dive into the simple steps.
Step by Step – Recipe Instructions
Creating this delicious Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:
- Add everything to the instant pot – Place all the ingredients for the chicken and sauce (except the cornstarch slurry) into the Instant Pot insert. Stir them thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well coated with the flavorful sauce mixture.
- Cook – Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the pressure release valve is set to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once cooking is complete, perform a quick pressure release following your Instant Pot’s instructions, then carefully remove the lid.
- Add the cornstarch slurry – Switch your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch until no lumps remain – this is your cornstarch slurry. Pour this mixture into the Instant Pot with the cooked chicken and sauce. Stir continuously.
- Cook again – Allow the mixture to gently simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has reached your desired thickness. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even thickening.
- Serve – Once the sauce is wonderfully thick and glossy, turn off the Instant Pot. Your Instant Pot Garlic Sesame Chicken is now ready to be served hot over fluffy rice, garnished with sesame seeds and fresh scallions if desired.
Tips and Variations for Your Perfect Sesame Chicken
This Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe is fantastic as is, but here are some tips and variations to customize it to your liking and make your cooking experience even smoother:
- Storage – Leftovers are delicious! Place any cooled Instant Pot Sesame Chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 1 month in an airtight, freezer-safe container. This makes it perfect for meal prepping!
- Reheating – To reheat from the fridge, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat until thoroughly heated. If you’re reheating with rice, be sure to add a couple of tablespoons of water to the rice before microwaving; this helps it soften up again and prevents it from drying out. When reheating from the freezer, allow the Instant Pot Garlic Sesame Chicken to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before following the reheating steps mentioned above.
- Make it Mild or Extra Spicy – If you prefer a milder dish and don’t enjoy the heat, simply omit the red pepper flakes from the recipe. There’s no need to replace this ingredient. For those who love an extra kick, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add a dash of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the finished dish.
- Add in Vegetables – Boost the nutritional value and texture of your meal by incorporating your favorite vegetables. Broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), snap peas, or shredded carrots are excellent choices. If you prefer your vegetables slightly crunchy, similar to restaurant-style stir-fries, you can add them to the Instant Pot during the sautéing step after the chicken is cooked and before the sauce thickens. If you prefer them very tender, you can steam them separately and stir them into the chicken and sauce mixture just before serving.
- Serve with Noodles or Different Grains – While traditionally served over white rice, this versatile sesame chicken also pairs beautifully with other options. Consider serving it over rice noodles, lo mein noodles (a personal favorite!), or even ramen noodles for a heartier meal. For a healthier alternative, brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice would also be fantastic.
- Different Cuts of Chicken – This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs for their juiciness and flavor. However, you can easily substitute them with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If using breasts, cut them into 1-inch pieces and keep the same cooking time; they tend to cook slightly faster but the Instant Pot’s quick cooking prevents them from drying out.
- Garnish for Extra Flavor and Appeal – Don’t forget the finishing touches! A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely nutty crunch, while thinly sliced green onions (scallions) provide a fresh, pungent bite and vibrant color. A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving can also brighten up the entire dish.
Is Sesame Chicken and Orange Chicken the Same? Unpacking the Flavor Differences
This is a common question, and the answer is a definitive “No!” While both sesame chicken and orange chicken are incredibly popular Chinese-American dishes featuring succulent chicken in a thick, sweet, and sticky sauce, their flavor profiles are distinctly different.
Orange Chicken is characterized by its bright, citrusy notes. The sauce is typically much sweeter and features a pronounced orange flavor, often derived from orange zest, orange juice, or orange peel, along with soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar. It delivers a bold, tangy, and zesty taste that is unmistakable.
Sesame Chicken, on the other hand, offers a more savory and nutty experience. While it still has a pleasant sweetness, it’s generally less sugary than orange chicken. Its distinctive flavor comes from a generous use of sesame oil, which provides a deep, toasted nuttiness, complemented by garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Some people even find its taste closer to cashew chicken due to its savory depth rather than the fruity zest of orange chicken. The best way to truly understand the difference is to try them side by side – you’ll quickly appreciate the unique qualities of each. Both are undeniably delicious, but they cater to different taste preferences.
I hope you enjoy making this easy Instant Pot Sesame Chicken recipe as much as I do! Feel free to share your experience, any modifications you made, or what you served it with in the comments below. Your feedback and creative ideas are always welcome!
More Delicious Asian-Inspired Recipes You’re Sure to Love:
If you’re a fan of the flavors in this sesame chicken, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic Asian-inspired dishes:
- Firecracker Baked Salmon
- Spicy Honey Shrimp and Broccoli
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
For more delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos, be sure to follow me on Youtube and Facebook.
Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
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Equipment
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Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, skinless boneless
- 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1/4 tsp red crushed pepper, optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
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Add the chicken, soy sauce, honey, water, sesame oil, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes into the Instant Pot sleeve.
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Mix everything well, close the lid, and set the pressure release valve to seal.
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Adjust to pressure cook or manual on high for 4 minutes.
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Cook till done then perform a quick pressure release and open the Instant Pot.
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Select the Sauté setting on low heat.
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Make the cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch and water in a mixing bowl until smooth and add this into the sesame chicken and combine.
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Stir frwuently until the sauce thickens, anything up to 5 minutes or to your preference.
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Switch off the heat and serve your Instant Pot Garlic Sesame Chicken over rice and with any desired garnishes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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