Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

Skip takeout! It will take you less time to make this Instant Pot Sesame Chicken than it is to make a trip out for takeout. This easy dinner idea only takes 30 minutes to make and goes great with a side of rice and steamed broccoli!

white bowl with sesame chicken, broccoli, & rice.

There are just some nights where takeout seems like the easier option. Sesame chicken is one of my favorites when ordering takeout but never leaves me feeling the best. What if I told you, I’ve figured out a way to enjoy this signature takeout dish faster than it will take you to hop in the car and grab from a restaurant. Would you believe me?

You may also enjoy Instant Pot lemon ginger salmon and pressure cooker barbacoa beef tacos! Both are easy and cook so fast!

Why You’ll Love Sesame Chicken in the Instant Pot

Healthier than takeout: Cooking the chicken in the Instant Pot creates a crispy texture without a fryer, which how typical take-out restaurants cook this dish.

Simple sauce ingredients: You most likely have the majority of these ingredients already on hand. The soy sauce, ketchup, and red pepper flakes will cook with the chicken helping it stay tender while infusing flavors. The honey and cornstarch will help crisp up the chicken and thicken the sauce.

Easy Dinner and meal prep idea: Take it even one step further to make this dinner with ease. Utilize the steamable rice and broccoli found in the frozen aisle. Or keep putting your Instant Pot to work again by cooking rice and the broccoli in there too.

Instant Pot Sesame Chicken in a white bowl with broccoli and rice

Ingredients Needed

  • Chicken – I used boneless, skinless breasts but you can also use tenders since we are cutting the chicken in bite sized pieces.
  • cornstarch – This makes an excellent thickening agent when mixed with water and helps to get that crispy breading on the chicken.
  • sesame oil – adds that traditional flavor you are used to
  • soy sauce – go with the low sodium kind
  • ketchup
  • red pepper flakes – this is optional but adds just the right amount of spice.
  • honey
  • water
  • sesame seeds

How to Make Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Toss the chicken so it’s completely covered.

Set the Instant Pot to saute and add a tablespoon of sesame oil. Once hot, saute the chicken until it’s browned.

Stir in the soy sauce, ketchup, and red pepper flakes if using. Lock the lid in place and switch the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, carefully turn the valve to release the pressure. Remove the lid and add a teaspoon of sesame oil and honey. Stir to combine.

Whisk together the remaining water and cornstarch in a separate bowl to make a slurry.

Turn the Instant Pot back to saute and stir in the slurry. Continue stirring so the sauce thickens.

Top with sesame seeds and serve!

Tips for Making Homemade Sesame Chicken

  • If you like more spice, swap the ketchup for sriracha.
  • Don’t have cornstarch? Use a little flour instead.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the soy sauce for tamari.
  • Toasting the sesame seeds adds more flavor, but it’s not a must!
  • Using sesame oil is essential. While you can substitute, you will miss out on the of the signature flavor of sesame chicken.
  • This recipe can be made using any electric pressure cooker, not just the Instant Pot.

Storage Instructions

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can You Make Sesame Chicken on the Stovetop?

Yes! Follow the same instructions for breading the chicken. Saute it in a large skillet. Whisk the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and cook until boiling, then reduce to a simmer to thicken. Stir in the slurry and remove from the heat once the desired consistency has been reached. Then toss to coat the chicken.

More Chicken Recipes to Try:

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homemade sesame chicken with white rice and broccoli in a white bowl

Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: dinner
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Description

Skip takeout! It will take you less time to make this Instant Pot Sesame Chicken than it is to make a trip out for take out.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sesame oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
  • pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss chicken to evenly and lightly coat.
  2. Preheat the Instant Pot and set to “saute”. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and saute for 3-4 minutes, to brown.
  3. Stir in soy sauce, ketchup, and red pepper flakes, if using. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the valve. Set to manual and 3 minutes cook time.
  4. When done, use the quick pressure release. When most of the steam is released, remove the lid. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and honey. Stir to combine.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
  6. Set Instant Pot back to saute, stir in the slurry and continue to stir as the sauce thickens to desired consistency, about 2 minutes.
  7. Top with sesame seeds.
  8. Serve over rice and steam broccoli.

Keywords: instant pot, sesame chicken, dinner

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Cashew Chicken over Rice Noodles

I love chinese food, but it’s not always the healthiest choice when it comes to some dishes. I love the cashew chicken with broccoli I get from my local chinese take out, but its always covered with so much sauce and skimps out on the broccoli. I wanted to recreate my own version to get the same great flavor without the extra sodium, fat, and MSG and really pump it up with more veggies!


cashew chicken RD2.jpg

 

A healthier alternative to your favorite chinese food take out. Try this simple recipe the next time you’re craving chinese food.

Cashew Chicken over Rice Noodles

Makes 6 servings

 

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breast, cubed
3/4 cup raw cashews
1 (16 oz) box rice noodles
1 tbsp olive oil
Marinade:
3 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
4 scallions, sliced + more for garnish
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Stir Fry:
2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup green beans, frozen
1 cup broccoli, frozen
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce:
4 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 cup low sodium vegetable broth
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp corn starch

 
Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. In a medium size bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade. Toss in the chicken and let it marinade for at least 20 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.

4. In a large wok or frying pan, heat the olive oil and add the chicken until fully cooked and evenly browned. Remove from pan.

5. Add the stir fry ingredients to the pan and cook until vegetables are tender. While vegetables are cooking put the rice noodles in the boiling water for about 5 minutes, until tender.

6. Drain the rice noodles and toss with 1/2 of the sauce until coated.

7. Add the cashews and cooked chicken back in the pan with the vegetables and toss with remaining sauce.

8. Serve cashew chicken over rice noodles and garnish with scallions.


cashew chicken RD1.jpg

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(nutrition facts based on calorie count)

 

 

Enjoy!