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Instant Pot Mongolian Chicken
4.8 from 258 votes

Instant Pot Mongolian Chicken

Instant Pot Mongolian Chicken features bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a rich sauce made with brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and notes of red pepper flakes. The dish includes tender carrots and a garnish of green onions and sesame seeds to add freshness and texture. The use of an Instant Pot helps meld flavors quickly, while optional basmati rice offers a complete meal option.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 503 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, American

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breast cut into one-two inch cubes, boneless skinless
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar use 1/2 cup if you want less sugar
  • 4 garlic minced, cloves
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced, fresh
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce use 1/2 cup if you are sensitive to sodium, lite
  • 3/4 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 cup carrot chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cornstarch Slurry:
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish:
  • 1/4 cup green onions chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Rice (optional):
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons herbed or unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Sear the chicken:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat up your pressure cooker: press Sauté, click on the Adjust button, and select More to activate the Sauté More function. This means that the food will be sautéed over medium-high heat. Wait for the Instant Pot indicator to read HOT.
  2. Add the oil to the hot Instant Pot, add the chicken, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times. Cook until it just starts to get golden. When sautéing it, stir constantly so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  3. Also, after you sauté it, check if bits are stuck to the bottom. In that case, deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup water and scrape it with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot: minced garlic, ginger, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, water, carrots, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
  5. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined and coated in sauce.
Rice (optional):
  1. Add the rice, salt, and two cups of water to an Instant Pot safe dish/pot. Stir to combine.
  2. Add a long-legged trivet to the Instant Pot on top of the chicken. Add the pot with the rice onto the trivet. Cover with aluminum foil and pinch a few times with a fork.
Cook:
  1. Close the lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release. Turn off the heat, release the remaining pressure, and open the lid.
  2. Open the lid, remove the pot with the rice, and let it rest covered for 5-10 minutes. Before serving, fluff the rice with a fork.
Thicken the sauce:
  1. Select again the Sauté function on LOW.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine two tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and whisk until combined and without lumps. Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and gently stir to combine. Cook on Sauté function on LOW for a few more minutes without the lid, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens.
  3. Turn off your Instant Pot.
Serve:
  1. Serve over rice and garnish with fresh chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Carrots are optional; feel free to omit or adjust according to your preference.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level; omit if you prefer no spice.
  • Use garlic powder in addition to fresh garlic for a more pronounced garlic flavor.
  • For gluten-free preparation, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Nutrition Information

Calories 503kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 84g (28%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g (18%) Monounsaturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 48mg (16%) Sodium 1842mg (77%) Potassium 555mg (12%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 28g (56%) Vitamin A 3727IU (75%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 72mg (7%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 503

% Daily Value*

Calories 503kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 84g 28%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Sodium 1842mg 77%
Potassium 555mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 28g 56%
Vitamin A 3727IU 75%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 72mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.