Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli Recipe
This Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with fresh garlic and ginger, complemented by a savory soy-based sauce. The dish is finished with crisp steamed broccoli and a thickened sauce, making it perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound (450 g) broccoli
Sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water or beef stock
Slurry and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to make slurry; add more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Add the chicken pieces, grated ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, water (or beef stock), brown sugar, and sesame oil to the Instant Pot. Stir briefly to combine all ingredients.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the vent is set to sealing position. Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting, set to high pressure, and cook for 3 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure; when cooking is complete, it will beep and stop automatically. Carefully perform a quick release of the steam and then open the lid.
- Thicken the Sauce: Switch the Instant Pot to the “saute” mode. Add the prepared slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the pot, stirring continuously to thicken the sauce. If the sauce is not thick enough, add an additional tablespoon of cornstarch and water mixture and stir again until desired consistency is reached.
- Steam the Broccoli: Stir in the broccoli pieces into the pot. Cover with the lid and let the broccoli steam in the residual heat and steam for a couple of minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Serve: Serve the chicken and broccoli mixture over cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute beef stock with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust the brown sugar quantity depending on your preferred level of sweetness.
- Ensure quick release of pressure to avoid overcooking the chicken and broccoli.
- If you prefer softer broccoli, allow it to steam longer covered after adding to the pot.
- This dish pairs well with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.
- Optional garnish with sesame seeds adds a lovely nutty flavor and crunch.
Keywords: Instant Pot chicken broccoli, easy chicken dinner, pressure cooker chicken, healthy chicken recipe, Asian chicken stir fry
