Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli Dinner

Whip up a delectable, healthy, and incredibly quick meal with this recipe for Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Broccoli. This beloved one-pot dish transforms simple ingredients into a rich, sweet, and savory dinner, perfect for your Ninja Foodi or any pressure cooker. Building on the popularity of our Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables, this version features tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli florets coated in a luscious honey garlic sauce, reminiscent of your favorite teriyaki flavors.

Cooking chicken and broccoli in your Instant Pot is not only incredibly efficient but also yields wonderfully flavorful results. By cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces, everything cooks together evenly and quickly, making it an ideal choice for a healthy weeknight dinner that can be served immediately over rice. This recipe is a standout among our collection of Instant Pot recipes, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Effortless Ninja Foodi Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

While we specifically mention the Instant Pot, this recipe is incredibly versatile and can be prepared in any brand of pressure cooker you own. For those using a Ninja Foodi, simply utilize the pressure cook function with the appropriate lid. If you’re interested in an air-fried variation for a crispier texture, we’ll cover that method below, offering you flexible cooking options to suit your preference.

For this recipe, we typically use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into uniform pieces. However, you can easily substitute them with chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor and juicier texture, much like our Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe. The key to success is ensuring the meat is consistently cubed into bite-sized pieces. This consistency guarantees that both the chicken and broccoli cook perfectly in the same amount of time, resulting in tender chicken and vibrant, not mushy, broccoli.

If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, welcome! We offer a wealth of easy one-pot meal recipes designed to simplify your kitchen experience. To get started on the right foot, here are a few essential tips:

• Make sure to bookmark our InstaPot recipes page, as we consistently add new and exciting dishes each week!
• For quick reference, print out this handy Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable tool for understanding the ideal cooking durations for various meats, vegetables, and beans in your pressure cooker.
• We highly recommend investing in a non-stick inner pot for your Instant Pot. This significantly reduces the chances of food sticking and burning, making cleanup a breeze.
  • While it’s crucial to understand how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing, a non-stick pot minimizes these concerns, allowing for a smoother cooking process.

For context, the recipes you find here are developed using a 6-quart Instant Pot model, a versatile size perfect for most family meals.

Mastering Tender Chicken: Avoiding Toughness in the Instant Pot

One common concern when cooking chicken in a pressure cooker is ending up with tough meat. If your chicken isn’t so tender that it easily shreds with two forks, it likely hasn’t cooked quite long enough. Don’t worry, it’s an easy fix—simply give it a bit more pressure cooking time. Another crucial tip is to ensure your chicken pieces are uniformly cut. Uneven pieces will cook at different rates, leading to some being overcooked and tough while others are still underdone.

Additionally, while this recipe cooks everything together for ultimate convenience, you could technically cook the chicken and the broccoli separately if you prefer a different texture. For instance, you might cook the chicken in the Instant Pot and then bake frozen broccoli in the oven or air fryer to achieve a crispier finish. This separation is particularly useful if you or a family member prefers ingredients with distinct textures, as some people, like my husband, sometimes have a preference against mixing all textures in one dish.

Essential Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken and Broccoli

Crafting this flavorful Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Broccoli requires a blend of common pantry staples and fresh produce. The magic truly happens when these simple components come together in the pressure cooker:

• Chicken broth or stock: Forms the liquid base and adds savory depth.
• 1/4 c soy sauce: Provides the essential umami and salty notes. Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative.
• Brown sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness. Honey can also be used for a slightly different sweet profile.
• 2 tbsp sesame oil: Imparts a distinctive nutty aroma and rich flavor that is characteristic of Asian-inspired dishes.
• Rice vinegar: Adds a bright, tangy pop that cuts through the richness and enhances overall flavor.
• 1 tbsp minced garlic: Aromatic and essential for that classic honey garlic taste.
• Salt and pepper: To season the dish to perfection.
• Chicken (approx. 1.5 lbs) defrosted, diced: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best when cut into bite-sized pieces.
• 4 c broccoli florets: Fresh broccoli ensures vibrant color and a pleasant crisp-tender texture.
• Carrots julienned or shredded (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness, color, and extra nutrients.
• 1/3 c cornstarch + 1/3 cup cold water: Whisked together to create a slurry that thickens the sauce to a perfect consistency.

For those who love a crispy exterior on their chicken and vegetables, you could adapt this into a method similar to our Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables. In that approach, you’d air fry the chicken and vegetables until browned and then toss everything with the prepared honey garlic sauce. This technique delivers a delightful textural contrast that many prefer.

Detailed Steps: How to Cook Chicken and Broccoli in the Instant Pot

This recipe streamlines the cooking process, allowing you to achieve a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal hands-on time. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked honey garlic chicken and broccoli:

• Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cutting your defrosted chicken into small, uniform, bite-sized pieces. This step is crucial as it ensures all ingredients cook at the same rate, resulting in tender chicken and evenly cooked broccoli.
• Combine Liquid Ingredients: Pour the chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper directly into the Instant Pot. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved, forming the flavorful base of your sauce.
• Add Solids: Carefully add the diced chicken, fresh broccoli florets, optional carrot shreds, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir gently to ensure all the chicken and vegetables are coated with the sauce mixture.
• Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the steam release valve is set to the “sealing” position. Cook on high pressure for just 3 minutes. This short cooking time is ideal for chicken pieces and ensures the broccoli remains crisp-tender.
• Quick Release and Remove: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. This prevents the vegetables from overcooking. Carefully open the lid away from your face. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and broccoli mixture, placing it in a separate bowl. Leave the remaining liquid in the Instant Pot.
• Thicken the Sauce: Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté” function and bring the reserved liquid to a gentle boil. In a small bowl, whisk together the cold water and cornstarch until a smooth slurry forms. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the boiling sauce, whisking continuously until it thickens to your desired consistency, usually within a few minutes.
• Combine and Serve: Once the sauce is thick and glossy, turn off the Instant Pot. Return the cooked chicken and broccoli mixture to the pot and toss gently to coat everything evenly in the rich honey garlic sauce. Serve immediately.

If you’re looking to cook grains alongside your chicken, we recommend following our Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice directions. However, note that delicate broccoli florets wouldn’t fare well with the longer cooking time required for rice, as 8 minutes or more would cause them to disintegrate. Instead, for an integrated grain and veggie meal, consider adding about 1/2 cup of hardier vegetables like frozen peas and carrots to the mix, which can withstand longer pressure cooking.

Serving Suggestions: The Best Way to Enjoy Chicken and Broccoli Over Rice

This versatile honey garlic chicken and broccoli dish can be enjoyed in numerous ways, making it a fantastic addition to your meal rotation. While it’s delicious on its own, serving it over rice or other grains is a classic choice that rounds out the meal beautifully.

For those interested in a bodybuilding-friendly chicken and broccoli rice recipe, consider pairing it with wild rice or brown rice, which offer higher fiber content. When serving, use a slotted spoon to control the amount of sauce if you prefer less, though the thickened sauce is truly the star. We typically serve this dish with about 2 cups of Instant Pot white rice, often garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal. Other fantastic options include quinoa, couscous, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. Don’t hesitate to add a garnish of chopped green onions or a dash of sriracha for an extra kick!

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli

By
Justine

Instant Pot chicken and broccoli is a cheap Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker recipe with vegetables and meat cooked together in one pot.

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

3 minutes
mins

Servings:
5

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Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 1.5
  lbs
  chicken,
  defrosted, diced
• 3
  c
  chicken broth
• 1/4
  c
  soy sauce
• 2
  tbsp
  brown sugar,
  or honey
• 2
  tbsp
  sesame oil
• 2
  tbsp
  rice vinegar
• 1/4
  tsp
  salt
• 1/4
  tsp
  pepper
• 4
  c
  broccoli,
  florets
• 1
  c
  carrots,
  julienned, shredded, optional
• 1
  tbsp
  minced garlic
• 1/3
  c
  cornstarch,
  + 1/3 cup cold water (for slurry)

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Instructions

1. Prep chicken by cutting it into small bite size pieces. In order for everything to cook at the same rate they need to be small.
2. Add broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, salt and pepper to the Instant Pot. Mix well. Add diced chicken, broccoli florets, carrot shreds and garlic. Mix to combine.
3. Place the lid, close steam valve and seal both shut. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. When cooking is complete, quick release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid and use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and broccoli mixture, leaving the liquid in the instant pot.
4. Set the instant pot to saute and bring mixture to a boil. Whisk together in a small bowl the cold water and cornstarch slurry until smooth, add into sauce to thicken. Once thick, a few minutes, turn pot off and return meat and broccoli to coat. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz,
Calories: 445kcal,
Carbohydrates: 21g,
Protein: 30g,
Fat: 27g,
Saturated Fat: 7g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 11g,
Trans Fat: 0.1g,
Cholesterol: 105mg,
Sodium: 1427mg,
Potassium: 627mg,
Fiber: 3g,
Sugar: 8g,
Vitamin A: 4924IU,
Vitamin C: 69mg,
Calcium: 71mg,
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Entree, Main Course

Cuisine:
American, Japanese

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