This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. and Mars Food, Inc. All comments and opinions are my own.
Effortless Weeknight Dinners: Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken – A 30-Minute Family Favorite Served Over Wholesome Brown Rice
Are your weeknights a whirlwind of activities, leaving you scrambling for quick and healthy dinner solutions? You’re not alone! Life gets incredibly hectic, especially with school, extracurriculars, and the approaching holiday season. The thought of preparing a nutritious meal can often feel like an insurmountable task. But what if I told you that a delicious, wholesome family dinner could be on your table in just about 30 minutes? Introducing the ultimate time-saver: this incredible Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken recipe. It’s not only incredibly quick to prepare but also a guaranteed hit with the entire family, offering that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and satisfying flavors. For an even more complete meal, consider pairing it with my Instant Pot White Rice for versatile serving options.
This particular recipe shines during busy seasons, making it a true lifesaver. Beyond its simplicity, the convenience factor is unparalleled. All the essential ingredients, such as high-quality Tyson Fresh Chicken and easy-to-prepare Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown, are readily available during a single trip to your local Target store. This streamlined shopping experience transforms meal preparation into an almost effortless process, allowing you to consistently provide a flavorful and nutritious dinner that everyone will eagerly enjoy. The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to deliver restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy parents and home cooks.
Crafting the Perfect Honey Sesame Chicken in Your Instant Pot
My goal for family meals is to create dishes that are better for us, incredibly easy to prepare, and budget-friendly, all without compromising on delicious taste. This Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken recipe perfectly embodies that philosophy. The cooking process is remarkably straightforward: simply toss all the chicken and sauce ingredients directly into your Instant Pot, set the cook time, and let the magic happen. While the chicken cooks to tender perfection, you can simultaneously prepare the accompanying side. The Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown is a game-changer; just microwave the convenient pouch for a mere 90 seconds. This innovative microwaveable pouch not only saves valuable preparation time but also drastically reduces cleanup, giving you more moments to spend with your loved ones.
Common Questions About Ingredients and Preparation
Why Choose Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown?
Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown stands out for its unmatched convenience and quality. Each serving comes in a microwaveable pouch, eliminating the need for pots, boiling water, and lengthy cooking times. You simply heat it in the microwave and it’s ready to serve, making it the ideal accompaniment for any busy weeknight meal. This product is also available in a wide variety of flavors, ensuring you can always find the perfect complement for your favorite recipes. For this particular honey sesame chicken dish, the whole grain brown rice provides a hearty, fiber-rich base that perfectly soaks up the savory sauce.
Where Can I Find Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown?
As mentioned, I regularly purchase my Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown at Target. You’ll typically find it located in the aisle with other boxed meals, pasta, and convenient side dishes. Its prominent placement makes it easy to grab during your regular grocery runs.
What Makes Tyson Fresh Chicken an Excellent Choice?
Choosing Tyson Fresh Chicken is a decision rooted in both convenience and an unwavering commitment to quality. The ease of picking it up during my weekly Target shopping spree is certainly a plus. However, the primary reason I consistently opt for Tyson is its superior quality. It is incredibly important to me, as a home cook, to use ingredients that are 100% all-natural, free from antibiotics, and contain no preservatives. This commitment to natural ingredients ensures that the chicken is not only delicious but also a healthier choice for my family. The tender texture and consistent quality of Tyson chicken truly elevate this Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken recipe, ensuring every bite is a delight.
Where Can I Locate Tyson Fresh Chicken in My Target Store?
When shopping at Target, head to the refrigerated meat section. You’ll find Tyson Fresh Chicken alongside other fresh poultry and refrigerated food items. While the exact selection may vary by store location, you can almost always find a wide array of Tyson Fresh Chicken products, ensuring you can pick the perfect cuts for your culinary needs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Preparing Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
- In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and sesame oil until well combined. This creates the rich, flavorful glaze.
- Carefully place the Tyson Fresh Chicken pieces into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
- Pour the prepared glaze mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Toss gently if needed to distribute the sauce.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook at high pressure for the recommended time (typically 5-7 minutes for chicken strips/small pieces).
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow a natural pressure release for ten minutes. This helps the chicken retain its juices and tenderness. After ten minutes, manually release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the Instant Pot and set it aside on a plate.
- To thicken the sauce, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a small amount of water) to the liquid remaining in the Instant Pot and whisk vigorously.
- Activate the sauté function on your Instant Pot. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, continuously whisking, until the sauce reaches your desired thickened consistency.
- While the sauce is thickening, prepare the Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown by microwaving the pouch for 90 seconds according to the package instructions.
- To serve, spoon the fluffy brown rice onto plates, top with the tender honey sesame chicken, generously drizzle the rich, thickened sauce over the chicken, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken: A Recipe You’ll Cherish
Key Ingredients for This Delightful Dish:
- Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown
- Tyson Fresh Chicken (strips or boneless, skinless breasts)
- Honey (for that irresistible sweetness)
- Soy sauce (for umami and depth)
- Ketchup (adds a touch of tang and color to the sauce)
- Minced garlic (essential aromatic flavor)
- Sesame oil (for its distinctive nutty aroma)
- Corn starch (to thicken the luscious sauce)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish and texture)
When your schedule is packed, especially during the busier times of the year, having a repertoire of quick and easy dinner recipes like this one is absolutely essential. This Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a solution to the dinnertime dilemma, allowing you to enjoy flavorful home-cooked food without the stress. Its simplicity, combined with the delightful sweet and savory notes, guarantees it will become a regular feature in your meal rotation. The tender chicken, coated in a luscious honey sesame sauce, paired with wholesome brown rice, offers a satisfying and comforting experience that the whole family will look forward to. Get ready to experience the joy of quick, delicious, and stress-free weeknight dinners!
Prepare to make this recipe again and again, delighting your family with every serving!
Detailed Recipe Card: Pressure Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
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Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pouch of Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown
- 2 lbs Tyson Fresh Chicken Strips
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- sesame seeds – garnish
Instructions
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In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, & sesame oil.
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Place the fresh chicken breasts or strips in the Instant Pot.
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Pour the glaze mixture over the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly.
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Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes.
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Allow natural pressure release for 6 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
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Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set aside.
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Add the cornstarch slurry to the pot & whisk well to combine with the remaining liquid.
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Turn on the sauté function and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly until the sauce is visibly thickened.
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Microwave the Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown for 90 seconds according to package directions.
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Place the cooked chicken on top of the prepared rice, spoon the rich honey sesame sauce generously over the chicken, & sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final touch.
Notes
**Cooking at High Altitudes: Due to the lower boiling point of water at higher altitudes, pressure cooking may require minor adjustments to cooking times. For every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet elevation, it is generally recommended to add approximately 5 percent to your total cook time. For instance, if you reside at an elevation of 4,000+ feet, you might consider increasing the cooking time by 10 percent. In pressure cooking, even a difference of 1-2 minutes can significantly impact the outcome of a recipe, unlike traditional cooking methods where such minor adjustments are less critical.
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is an approximate estimate. For precise dietary calculations, please consult your preferred nutritional calculator. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of the nutritional information presented for any recipe on this site.