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These Instant Pot honey sesame chicken thighs make a flavorful, fuss-free dinner that comes together right in the pressure cooker. There’s no need to sauté—add the ingredients, lock the lid, and let the Instant Pot do the work. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy whether left whole or sliced into strips.
With pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar, plus fresh ginger and green onions, this dish is bright, comforting, and satisfying. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal the whole family will love.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Quick cooking. The Instant Pot produces tender chicken and flavorful sauce in minutes.
Balanced flavor. Honey, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame create a perfect sweet-savory blend.
Easy prep. Boneless thighs cook evenly and stay moist.
Takeout-style comfort. A delicious Asian-inspired meal without leaving home.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs – Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy and absorb flavors well.
- Green onions – Add sharpness and freshness; separate white and green parts for best results.
- Honey – Sweetens the sauce naturally and helps it glaze.
- Soy sauce – Use low sodium to keep the salt level balanced.
- Rice vinegar – Adds brightness and acidity.
- Ginger – Fresh or jarred ginger brings warmth and fragrance.
- Chili garlic paste – Adds heat and depth; adjust to taste.
- Sesame oil – Provides rich, nutty flavor.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce into a glossy coating.
- Sesame seeds – Toasted seeds add texture and nutty aroma.
Steps to Make Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs
- Pat the chicken dry, trim any excess fat, and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the chicken in the Instant Pot.
- Slice the green onions, separating the white and green parts.
- Sprinkle the white/light green slices over the chicken.
- Whisk the stock, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, chili garlic paste, and sesame oil.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Seal the Instant Pot and pressure cook until tender.
- Carefully perform a quick release.
- Remove the chicken and simmer the cooking liquid.
- Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.
- Return the chicken to the sauce or drizzle it over the top.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion tops.
Tips
- Slice the chicken into strips before cooking if you want smaller, quicker-cooking pieces.
- For deeper flavor, let the chicken rest in the sauce for several minutes after cooking.
- Adjust sweetness or heat by adding extra honey or chili garlic paste.
- Toast the sesame seeds for a stronger nutty flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Chicken breasts. Use chicken breast instead of thighs for a leaner option, but decrease the cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Crunchy vegetables. Add sliced bell peppers or snow peas after cooking for extra crunch and color.
- Korean twist. Use gochujang in place of chili garlic paste for a Korean-inspired twist.
- Orange sesame chicken. Add orange zest and a splash of orange juice.
- Lighter version. Serve the chicken in lettuce wraps instead of with rice or noodles.
- Spicy version. Add extra chili garlic paste or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
What to Serve With Honey Sesame Chicken
- Steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
- Garlic noodles or sesame noodles for a flavorful pairing.
- Stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy.
- Cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds for a refreshing contrast.
- Coconut rice for a lightly sweet, tropical touch.
- Cauliflower fried rice for a lower-carb option.
- Pickled vegetables or kimchi for a tangy, spicy side.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Keep leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce if needed.
Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 4 green onions, sliced, whites/light greens separated from tops
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 ½ tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tsp chili garlic paste
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Reserved sliced green onion tops, for garnish
- Cooked rice or noodles (optional), for serving
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken with paper towels to dry; trim and discard fat, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If desired, slice the chicken into strips. Arrange the chicken in the inner pot of the Instant Pot pressure cooker.2 pounds boneless chicken thighs | Kosher salt | Ground black pepper
- Prep the green onions: Scatter the sliced whites/light greens over the chicken and reserve the tops for garnish.4 green onions
- Combine: In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, chili garlic paste, and sesame oil. Whisk to blend and pour over the chicken.1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth | 3 tbsp honey | 2 1/2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce | 1 tbsp rice vinegar | 1 tsp fresh grated ginger | 1 tsp chili garlic paste | 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Pressure cook: Lock the lid in place and turn the pressure release knob to the sealing position. Select high pressure and set the timer for 10 minutes. Once the cooking cycle ends, carefully perform a quick release by turning the valve to the venting position.
- Reduce the sauce: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Select the sauté (normal) function and bring the cooking liquid to a boil. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to reduce the liquid slightly.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Return the chicken to the sauce and simmer for 1 minute to heat through.2 tsp cornstarch | 1 tbsp cold water
- Serve: Arrange the chicken in a serving dish and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with the reserved green onion tops and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with hot cooked rice or noodles.1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds | Reserved sliced green onion tops | Cooked rice or noodles (optional)
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
