Imagine a dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes, packed with mouthwatering Asian-inspired flavors, and so easy that even a novice cook can master it. Our Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bowls are about to become your family's new favorite meal! Tender chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and a sticky-sweet sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds - this recipe is a game-changer that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into a restaurant-quality feast.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz noodles (e.g., egg noodles or rice noodles)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and allow it to heat up until shimmering.
- Add chicken pieces to the Instant Pot and brown for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. This will help develop rich, deep flavors.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, remaining sesame oil, and chicken broth to create the cooking sauce.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the browned chicken in the Instant Pot, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure to prevent overcooking the chicken.
- Add noodles to the pot, stirring gently to submerge them in the cooking liquid. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for an additional 2-3 minutes until noodles are tender.
- Carefully open the lid and stir the contents. The sauce should have thickened slightly and coated the chicken and noodles.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top for added texture and flavor.
- Serve hot in individual bowls, making sure to distribute the chicken and sauce evenly.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before browning to ensure a beautiful golden color and enhanced flavor development.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and juiciness.
- Don't skip the browning step - it adds incredible depth to the overall dish.
- For gluten-free options, use tamari instead of soy sauce and choose gluten-free noodles.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, use the Sauté function after cooking to reduce and concentrate the liquid.
- Fresh green onions and sesame seeds are crucial for adding texture and a burst of fresh flavor.
- Adjust honey quantity if you prefer a less sweet or more caramelized sauce.
- For meal prep, this dish keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 120mg
