Flavorful Instant Pot Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Delight
This vibrant and satisfying one-pot meal combines tender, lean chicken breasts with crisp broccoli in a luscious sesame sauce, all cooked to perfection in your Instant Pot. Fast and easy to prepare, this dish is packed with wholesome ingredients that offer a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. With a beautiful glaze made from pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, and fresh ginger, it elevates your dinner routine while being both nutritious and delicious. Serve over fluffy brown rice for the ultimate comfort food experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
canola oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (cut into thin strips)
sesame oil
1 tablespoon
ketchup
1 tablespoon
honey
2 tablespoons
reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons
grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon
garlic clove
1 (minced)
orange juice
1/4 cup
cornstarch
1 tablespoon
sesame seeds
2 tablespoons
broccoli florets
4 cups
scallions
3 (chopped)
cooked brown rice
4 cups (for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin strips.
2
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat the canola oil in the inner pot.
3
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips to the pot. Stir occasionally as you prepare the sauce.
4
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, ketchup, honey, reduced sodium soy sauce, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
5
Pour this sauce over the chicken in the pot and stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
6
Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, making sure it's locked in place, and set it to manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
7
While the chicken cooks, mix the orange juice and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
8
Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure and carefully remove the lid.
9
Switch the Instant Pot back to the sauté function and bring the contents to a gentle simmer.
10
Stir in the cornstarch mixture and allow the sauce to thicken, then add the broccoli florets.
11
Cook for an additional 3 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet still vibrant and crisp.
12
Serve the sesame chicken and broccoli over cooked brown rice, garnished with chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flavorful Instant Pot Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Delight?
It is a vibrant and satisfying one-pot meal that combines tender chicken breasts with crisp broccoli in a sweet and savory sesame sauce.
What appliance is required for this recipe?
This recipe is specifically designed to be prepared in an Instant Pot.
What type of chicken is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips.
How long does the chicken cook under pressure?
The chicken is cooked on manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing the chicken?
One tablespoon of canola oil is used to sauté the chicken strips in the Instant Pot.
Is sesame oil included in the sauce?
Yes, one tablespoon of sesame oil is whisked into the sauce for flavor.
What provides the sweetness in the sesame sauce?
The sauce is sweetened using two tablespoons of honey.
What type of soy sauce should I use?
Reduced sodium soy sauce is recommended for this recipe.
Is fresh ginger used in this dish?
Yes, the recipe uses one teaspoon of grated fresh ginger.
How much garlic is needed?
One minced garlic clove is included in the sauce mixture.
Why is ketchup used in the recipe?
One tablespoon of ketchup is added to the sauce to contribute to the savory and slightly sweet flavor profile.
How is the sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by stirring in a mixture of 1/4 cup orange juice and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch after pressure cooking.
When is the broccoli added to the Instant Pot?
Broccoli florets are added at the end, after the sauce has thickened, and cooked for an additional 3 minutes.
What is the desired texture of the broccoli?
The broccoli should be cooked until it is tender yet still vibrant and crisp.
How many cups of broccoli are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of broccoli florets.
Should I do a natural or quick release?
A quick release of pressure is performed once the cooking time is complete.
What should I serve this meal over?
It is recommended to serve the sesame chicken and broccoli over 4 cups of cooked brown rice.
What garnishes are used for this dish?
Garnish the dish with chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for texture and flavor.
How many sesame seeds are used?
Two tablespoons of sesame seeds are used for garnishing.
How many scallions are needed for the garnish?
The recipe uses 3 chopped scallions.
Is this a healthy meal option?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious and healthy recipe packed with wholesome ingredients like lean chicken and broccoli.
Can I use orange juice in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of orange juice is mixed with cornstarch to help create the final glaze.
What is the first step in the preparation?
The first step is to cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin strips.
Do I need to whisk the sauce separately?
Yes, you should whisk together the sesame oil, ketchup, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl before adding it to the pot.
Is the chicken sautéed before pressure cooking?
Yes, the chicken strips are sautéed in hot canola oil before the sauce is added and pressure cooking begins.
What setting is used to thicken the sauce?
The Instant Pot is switched back to the sauté function to bring the sauce to a simmer for thickening.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is categorized as a family-friendly comfort food dish.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients required for this sesame chicken and broccoli recipe.
Can I make this as a one-pot meal?
Yes, the entire main dish is cooked in the Instant Pot, making it a convenient one-pot meal.
How is the cornstarch prepared?
Cornstarch is mixed with orange juice in a small bowl until smooth before being added to the simmering sauce.