Description
This Instant Pot Garlic Sesame Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a savory sauce made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, then thickened to perfection in the Instant Pot. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this easy recipe delivers delicious Asian-inspired flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Thickening Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare and add ingredients: Add chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, chicken broth, and water to the Instant Pot.
- Combine the ingredients: Stir well to ensure all ingredients are fully combined in the pot.
- Pressure cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release pressure: Allow a 10-minute Natural Release, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually. Open the lid when safe.
- Sauté on low: Select the Sauté function on LOW setting to prepare for thickening the sauce.
- Make slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water until smooth with no lumps.
- Thicken sauce: Add the slurry to the Instant Pot and stir gently. Continue cooking on the Sauté setting for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Adjust thickness: If desired, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon juice from the pot and add to thicken further.
- Let chicken stand: Allow the chicken and sauce to rest for 5-7 minutes; the sauce will continue to thicken.
- Serve: Serve the garlic sesame chicken over rice, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a perfect finish.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and juicy.
- Low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth help control the salt content.
- Natural release allows the chicken to finish cooking gently, preserving texture.
- The cornstarch slurry is key to creating a glossy, thick sauce.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes amount for desired spice level.
- Serving over steamed rice makes a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Instant Pot, Garlic Sesame Chicken, Asian chicken recipe, pressure cooker chicken, easy chicken dinner, garlic chicken, sesame chicken
