Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry (Gluten-free)

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry (Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds chicken breast (Check for gluten-free); 3/4 cup chicken broth (Check for gluten-free); 1/3 cup tamari (Check for gluten-free); 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 clove minced garlic; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 tablespoons cold water; 16 ounce frozen stir fry blend vegetables (Check for gluten-free); 8.8 ounce precooked brown rice, heated per package instructions; green onions and sesame seeds (optional)

Instant pot Chicken Stir Fry in the instant pot is a 20-minute dinner that packs both protein and vegetables in a delicious kid-approved meal.If you’ve never tried making instant pot stir fry, this is the recipe your family will love. Gluten-free.

Stir-fries are a great choice for dinner any night of the week. They are simple to assemble and customize based on your family preferences or the ingredients in your kitchen.

Our recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry combines shredded chicken with a variety of stir fry veggies that is tossed in a homemade stir fry sauce. Full of flavor and kid-approved!

The secret to success? An instant pot – it takes stir fries to the next level. In just 20 minutes, your family will be gathered around the table to eat a delicious restaurant style meal.

Chicken stir fry scooped over a bed of rice in a bowl.

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is one of our favorite Chinese takeout meals to re-create at home. Also bursting with flavor, my kids request this recipe time and time again. Between these two kid-friendly dishes, you will be set to create a meal quicker than if you were actually to order takeout!

Start your instant pot stir fry right away by gathering the equipment and ingredients then following the step-by-step instructions. Enjoy!

Equipment

instant pot
measuring cups
measuring spoons
tongs
whisk
2 forks for shredding
medium-sized bowl
large microwave-safe bowl with cover (or a large plate to cover)

Ingredients

1.5 pounds chicken breast
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup tamari
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 clove minced garlic
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
16 ounce frozen stir fry blend vegetables
8.8 ounce precooked brown rice, heated per package instructions
green onions and sesame seeds, optional

How To Make

Add chicken to the instant pot. Then add the broth, tamari, honey, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and garlic.
Cover the instant pot. Cover the instant pot, turn to sealing, and set on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Microwave the frozen vegetables. While the chicken is cooking, steam the frozen vegetables by adding them to a large bowl and placing a plate or cover over the top. Heat for about 6 minutes or until warmed. Set aside.
Quick-release. Once cooking has been completed, turn the valve from sealing to venting to release the pressure. Once the valve has dropped, carefully open the instant pot. Use tongs to remove the chicken breasts and place them into a bowl or plate. Use 2 forks to shred and set aside.
Make the cornstarch slurry. Mix the cornstarch with the water and blend. Turn instant pot to sauté. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce, stirring occasionally until the sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes
Add the chicken and vegetables. Add the chicken and vegetables to the thickened sauce in the instant pot. Stir to coat.
Serve. Serve over brown rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

A pair of tongs placing a chicken breast in an instant pot.

Substitutions

Swap frozen vegetables with fresh vegetables by sautéing in the pan while the chicken cooks.
Use frozen chicken instead of fresh by bumping up the chicken cooking time to 15 minutes.
Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs.
Purchase a gluten-free stir fry sauce at the store versus making this homemade version.
Use dried ground ginger or grate fresh ginger.
Serve over brown, jasmine or cauliflower rice. Zucchini and rice noodles also make tasty alternatives to rice.

Stir Fry Vegetable Ideas

We used a blend of frozen stir fry vegetables – great option if you are looking for a variety all in one bag. You can also add or substitute any of the following vegetables:

broccoli
edamame
snap peas
carrots
bell peppers
water chestnuts
onions
zucchini
squash
bok choy
baby corn
green beans

MIX IT UP: Pick stir fry veggies based on what is in your fridge, freezer or is in-season at your grocery store.

A fork scooping a serving of chicken stir fry.

FAQs

Can I cook stir fry vegetables in the instant pot?

We recommend microwaving a frozen bag or sautéing fresh veggies on the stove top for this recipe. We found that cooking the veggies in the instant pot with the chicken makes them very mushy.

Can you put raw chicken in instant pot?

You can – it is one of the top reasons we love the instant pot.

What is the purpose of the cornstarch slurry?

The cornstarch slurry helps to thicken the stir fry sauce.

How long should you cook chicken in the instant pot?

For this recipe, fresh chicken should cook for 10 minutes while frozen chicken requires 15 minutes.

Do I need to put water in my instant pot to cook chicken?

Instant pot recipes require at least 1/2 cup for the 3-quart pot, 1 cup for the 6-quart pot and 2 cups for the 8-quart pot. This can be water or another liquid.

instant pot chicken stir fry on top of a bed of rice in a bowl.

More Instant Pot Meals

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