Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli
A healthy, quick, and delicious Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli recipe combining tender chicken breasts with crisp broccoli florets in a flavorful savory sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal is packed with lean protein and fresh veggies, perfect for busy weeknights and easy cleanup.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
Optional Garnishes
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Sriracha sauce
- Prepare the Chicken and Sauce: Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, honey, and a drizzle of sesame oil to create the flavorful sauce base.
- Sauté for Extra Flavor: Select the sauté function on your Instant Pot, add a splash of sesame oil, and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side. This locks in juices and adds caramelized flavor.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the seared chicken in the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes to ensure tender, fully cooked chicken infused with sauce flavors.
- Add Broccoli and Finish Cooking: Quickly release the pressure, open the lid, and add fresh broccoli florets on top of the chicken. Reseal the lid and cook on high pressure for 0-2 minutes depending on your desired broccoli texture (0 minutes for very crisp, 2 minutes for tender).
- Thicken the Sauce: Carefully remove the chicken and broccoli to a serving dish. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and stir in the cornstarch slurry, cooking until the sauce thickens to a shiny glaze that coats the ingredients perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken and broccoli, garnish with your choice of toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha, and serve immediately for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and crisp broccoli for best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcook broccoli; add it last to keep it bright green and crunchy.
- Slice chicken breasts evenly so they cook uniformly.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying honey or brown sugar to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer a saucier dish or want to serve over rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Chicken and Broccoli, Healthy Dinner, Quick Meal, One-Pot, Gluten Free, Low Carb