Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner — tender chicken bites drenched in a glossy, sweet, and savory sauce, all made in just 20 minutes from start to finish. With classic sesame flavors, a hint of garlic and ginger, and that signature sticky coating, this crowd-pleaser rivals any takeout order but skips the deep fryer and the wait!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy Comfort Food: Dinner is on the table in about 20 minutes, delivering deep savory flavors without the hours-long simmering.
- Healthier Than Takeout: Skip the fried food guilt — this Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is made with lean chicken breast and minimal oil.
- Big Flavors, Pantry Staples: All the classic sesame chicken flavors come from easy-to-find ingredients you probably have at home.
- Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: It’s just the right blend of savory, sweet, and sticky — even picky eaters love it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Instant Pot Sesame Chicken at home is all about combining a few essential ingredients for maximum flavor. Each one brings its own magic, ensuring you create a rich, crave-worthy sauce and juicy, tender chicken every single time.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds): Cut into bite-sized pieces so the chicken cooks quickly and stays juicy throughout.
- Low-sodium soy sauce (½ cup): This forms the savory backbone of the sauce without making it overly salty — don’t skip the low-sodium here!
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): A punch of aromatics that infuses the whole dish with beautiful flavor.
- Fresh ginger (1-inch, peeled and grated): Adds a subtle warmth and brightness to balance out the sweet and salty notes.
- Ketchup (¼ cup): Surprising, but it adds tang and a gorgeous red sheen to your sauce.
- Hot sauce or sriracha (1 teaspoon): Just the right kick — adjust for your preferred spice level!
- Honey or brown sugar (¼ cup): Brings the signature sweetness and gives that sticky, glossy texture.
- Toasted sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Unlocks deep, nutty, authentic sesame flavor.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon, plus 1 tablespoon water): These combine for a quick slurry that thickens everything to find-takeout perfection.
- Sesame seeds (1 tablespoon): Toasted and sprinkled on top for that classic finishing touch.
- Chopped green onion: A fresh, colorful garnish that adds crunch and zing.
Variations
The beauty of Instant Pot Sesame Chicken is how flexible it is — you can tweak it for your favorite flavor profile, dietary needs, or simply what you have in your fridge. Let your creativity (and appetite) guide you!
- Swap the protein: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juicy bites, or use tofu for a vegetarian twist.
- Go gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a 100% gluten-free version.
- Make it spicier: Up the sriracha or add crushed red pepper flakes for a more fiery kick.
- Add veggies: Toss in some snap peas, chopped bell peppers, or broccoli right after pressure cooking for color and crunch.
How to Make Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Add your chicken pieces directly to the Instant Pot, then pour in the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and that splash of hot sauce. Stir everything together gently to ensure the chicken is well coated and that every bite will soak up those bold flavors.
Step 2: Pressure Cook to Tender Perfection
Lock the lid onto your Instant Pot, set the steam valve to sealing, and select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK setting (depending on your model). Cook on high pressure for just 3 minutes. Once it beeps, carefully perform a quick release by turning the vent — don’t forget to keep your face away from the steam!
Step 3: Create the Signature Sesame Sauce
Remove the lid and switch your Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Pour in the honey (or brown sugar) and the toasted sesame oil for that unmistakable nutty-sweet finish. Quickly stir together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry, add it in, and watch as the sauce transforms into a thick, glossy coat. If you like it even thicker, feel free to repeat with another cornstarch slurry.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Switch off the saute, then dish up your Instant Pot Sesame Chicken over warm rice. Shower with plenty of chopped green onions and a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. You’re now ready for the best homemade takeout night!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
- Cut Chicken Evenly: Keeping your chicken pieces similar in size helps everything cook evenly and prevents dry bites or soggy texture.
- Mind the Soy Sauce: If you don’t have low-sodium soy, use half regular soy and half water to avoid an overpoweringly salty sauce.
- Taste Before Thickening: After pressure cooking, taste your sauce and adjust sweetness, heat, or tang with honey, sriracha, or ketchup as you like — it’s easy to customize right before thickening!
- Double for Meal Prep: This recipe doubles beautifully — use the same cooking time and you’ll have fantastic leftovers for lunches or another dinner.
How to Serve Instant Pot Sesame Chicken
Garnishes
Garnishes are the secret to delivering restaurant-style flair at home! Sprinkle your finished Instant Pot Sesame Chicken with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch and scatter plenty of sliced green onions for a burst of color and freshness. You can even add a light zest of lemon or a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for extra brightness and a touch of heat.
Side Dishes
This dish is pure comfort over fluffy steamed white rice, but jasmine or brown rice are fantastic as well. For something different, spoon the chicken over quinoa or cauliflower rice. Roasted broccoli, sautéed snow peas, or a side of quick cucumber salad round out the meal and bring a fresh contrast to the rich, savory sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring the fun with DIY sesame chicken bowls — set out toppings like extra hot sauce, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, or pickled vegetables at the table. Or, serve spoonfuls of chicken in lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held bite at parties and picnics. Leftovers even make awesome wraps in steamed bao buns or stuffed into warm tortillas for a fusion twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Instant Pot Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge — the flavors get even deeper after a day or two. The saucy goodness means the chicken stays tender and delicious for up to 4 days, making it perfect for easy meal prep or next-day lunches.
Freezing
This recipe is incredibly freezer-friendly! Cool the chicken completely, then portion into freezer bags or containers. It’ll keep its flavor and texture for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and give the sauce a quick stir when reheating for the best results.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave on medium power, stirring halfway, or warm gently on the stovetop in a skillet. Add a splash of water or a drizzle of soy sauce if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge. Those sesame aromas will come right back to life!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for Instant Pot Sesame Chicken?
Yes! You can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts without thawing. Just increase the pressure cook time to 6 minutes and dice the chicken after cooking for easier, even pieces.
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Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! Instant Pot Sesame Chicken stores well for up to 4 days in the fridge, and reheats beautifully for delicious lunches or quick dinners later in the week.
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Can I make Instant Pot Sesame Chicken without honey?
Yes you can! Use brown sugar, maple syrup, or even a sugar substitute if you’re looking for a lower-sugar option. Each sweetener will add its own subtle twist to the sauce.
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What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch?
If you’re out of cornstarch, try arrowroot powder or tapioca starch for thickening. If all else fails, let the sauce simmer a bit longer on SAUTE mode to naturally reduce and thicken.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving comfort food on a busy weeknight, Instant Pot Sesame Chicken honestly delivers every time — fast, flavorful, and just so satisfying. I hope this recipe brings you as much joy and “wow, I made that?” pride as it brings our table. Go ahead, give it a try, and don’t forget to share your favorite creative twists!
Print
Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot sesame chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chunks of chicken are cooked in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, then served over rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size pieces
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or sriracha
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Add the Ingredients: Place chicken in the Instant Pot, add soy sauce, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and hot sauce. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Release pressure and open the lid.
- Thicken Sauce: Switch to sauté mode, add honey, sesame oil, and cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened.
- Finish and Serve: If needed, adjust sauce thickness with more cornstarch slurry. Serve over rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for balanced flavor.
- If using regular soy sauce, dilute with water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion without rice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
