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Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli

Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli
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This Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli recipe is a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. It combines tender chicken and crisp broccoli in a savory, slightly sweet sauce made effortlessly in your Instant Pot, offering a wholesome and convenient one-pot dish full of vibrant flavor and balanced nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Thickener

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water)

Optional Garnish

  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken and Sauce: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, minced garlic, and minced ginger to create a flavorful sauce.
  2. Sauté the Chicken: Using the Instant Pot’s sauté function, cook the chicken pieces until they are lightly browned but not fully cooked, locking in juices and enhancing flavor.
  3. Add Sauce and Pressure Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot. Close and seal the lid, then set the pot to cook under high pressure for about 6 minutes.
  4. Steam the Broccoli: Carefully release the pressure. Add fresh broccoli florets on top of the chicken without stirring. Close the lid again and use the warm function to steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes with residual heat.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Remove the lid and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Turn on sauté mode again and cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy, perfect consistency.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Turn off the Instant Pot, drizzle sesame oil over the dish, sprinkle with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, then gently stir before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic, ginger, and broccoli for the best flavor and texture.
  • Sautéing the chicken first helps lock in juices and adds depth to the flavor.
  • Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
  • Add broccoli after pressure cooking to keep it crisp and green.
  • Add cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid overly thick or gloopy sauce.
  • For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
  • Swap or add vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots for more variety.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce salt content.
  • Omit honey and use a sugar-free sweetener for keto-friendly option.
  • Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce to make it gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken, broccoli, quick dinner, one-pot meal, healthy, meal prep, gluten free, pressure cooker

Find it online: https://eazyummy.com/instant-pot-chicken-broccoli/