Sticky honey sesame chicken with rice

This sticky honey sesame chicken is a quick, flavour-packed meal made entirely in the Instant Pot. Tender chicken thighs are seared, then pressure cooked in a sweet and savoury honey-soy sauce, while fluffy jasmine rice cooks at the same time above the chicken. The result is a glossy, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Everything comes together in one appliance, with minimal prep and maximum flavour.

Servings: 4 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: approx. 35 minutes
Appliance: Instant Pot multicooker

Ingredients

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil, plus extra for garnish
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1½ cups jasmine rice
• 1½ cups cold water
• 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
• Generous pinch of salt
• Optional garnish
• 1 small bunch fresh coriander, picked
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 red chilli, thinly sliced
• Sesame seeds

Preparation method

Sear the chicken
Select Sauté on the Instant Pot and set it to high. Allow the pot to fully preheat, then add the chicken thighs and sear for several minutes on each side until golden brown.

While the chicken browns, mix the honey, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chicken stock in a small bowl. Pour the sauce over the chicken once it is browned.

Prepare the rice
Rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly. Place it in a heatproof metal bowl that fits inside the Instant Pot and add the cold water and a generous pinch of salt.
If using a glass or ceramic bowl, use boiling water instead of cold.

Pressure cook
Place a long-legged trivet directly over the chicken. Carefully set the bowl of rice on top of the trivet. Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.

When the cooking time ends, allow a natural pressure release for 6 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.

Finish and serve
Open the lid and carefully remove the rice bowl using a cloth or oven mitts. Lift out the trivet.

If using the garnish, toss the coriander, spring onions, and red chilli with a small drizzle of sesame oil or neutral oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Divide the rice between four bowls. Spoon the sticky honey sesame chicken and sauce over the rice and finish with the fresh herb garnish.

The Instant Pot makes this dish quick and efficient by cooking the chicken and rice simultaneously. Pressure cooking locks in moisture, while the Sauté function helps build flavour and finish the sauce with a glossy, sticky texture.

Discover more quick and comforting meals in our Instant Pot recipes.

Looking to upgrade your kitchen setup? Explore our full Instant Pot multicooker collection and find the model that suits your cooking style.