Easy Pressure Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Using a pressure cooker makes the chicken tender and infuses it with a delicious sweet and savory sauce. Serve it over rice for a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅔ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ⅔ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, chopped (green part only)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the pressure cooker on the chicken setting. Add olive oil, diced onion, and chicken breasts. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
- Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Pour in soy sauce, ketchup, and sprinkle red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Step 4: Seal the pressure cooker and cook on the chicken setting (high) for 4 minutes. Once done, release the pressure carefully according to your cooker’s instructions.
- Step 5: Stir in sesame oil and honey. In a separate small bowl, dissolve corn starch in water, then add this mixture to the pressure cooker liquid. Simmer until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Step 6: Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the chicken.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with steamed rice or your preferred side.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, add steamed or stir-fried broccoli alongside the chicken before serving.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and cornstarch for thickening.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but increase the pressure cooking time by a few minutes to ensure the chicken cooks through.
Is it possible to make this recipe without a pressure cooker?
Absolutely. You can cook the chicken and sauce in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens, but it will take longer than using a pressure cooker.
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Easy Pressure Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A delicious and easy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe made quickly in a pressure cooker. Tender chicken breasts are sautéed with onions and garlic, then cooked in a savory sauce of soy, ketchup, honey, and sesame oil, finished with a thickened glaze and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Aromatics
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- ⅔ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- ⅔ cup honey
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
Thickener and Garnish
- 2 Tbsp. corn starch
- 3 Tbsp. water
- 2 green onions, chopped (green part only)
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté: Preheat your pressure cooker on the chicken setting. Add olive oil, diced onion, and chicken breasts to the cooker. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and the chicken begins to brown.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the cooker and continue cooking for one minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add Sauce Ingredients and Pressure Cook: Pour in the soy sauce, ketchup, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything to coat the chicken evenly. Close the lid and pressure cook on the chicken setting (high pressure) for 4 minutes. Once done, carefully release the pressure according to your cooker’s instructions.
- Add Honey and Sesame Oil: Open the lid and stir in the sesame oil and honey until well combined with the cooking juices.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, dissolve the corn starch in water to create a slurry. Pour this mixture into the pressure cooker. Turn on the sauté function or simmer gently, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve the honey sesame chicken immediately over rice for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- Make sure to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick cooking and easy shredding or slicing.
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your liking.
- Serve with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch slurry gradually while simmering.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Pressure Cooker Chicken, Instant Pot Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner, Asian Inspired Chicken

