Description
This Honey Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast tenders coated in a crispy batter, fried to golden perfection, and then cooked in a sweet and tangy honey-based sauce using an Instant Pot. The combination of honey, soy sauce, and ketchup creates a flavorful glaze that makes this dish a delightful main course perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Batter
- 6-7 Chicken Breast tenders (sliced)
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Corn Starch
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/4 cup Sesame oil (for frying)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Tomato Ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the sliced chicken breast tenders dry thoroughly to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispier batter when fried.
- Set Chicken Aside: Keep the prepared chicken aside on a plate or tray while you prepare the batter and sauce.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine tomato ketchup, sugar, honey, soy sauce, and water. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set this aside for later use.
- Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add water while whisking to form a semi-thick batter, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Batter the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the prepared batter, coating it fully, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet ready for frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour the sesame oil into the Instant Pot and set it to the sauté function. Heat the oil until it is bubbling hot but not smoking.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the battered chicken tenders in the hot oil in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Cook Evenly: Flip the chicken pieces to cook both sides until they turn golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Drain Fried Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and place them onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Set aside.
- Clean the Pot: Wipe the Instant Pot insert clean to prepare for the sauce cooking step.
- Cook with Sauce: Add the prepared sauce into the Instant Pot insert and return all the fried chicken tenders to the pot. Toss to coat chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Set to manual pressure cooking for 4 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the chicken to soak up the flavors.
- Release Pressure: When the timer sounds, carefully open the valve to release pressure before opening the lid.
- Serve: Serve the honey chicken hot, garnished with optional sesame seeds or green onions if desired. Enjoy with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is crucial for a crispy batter.
- Use a single layer when frying to avoid soggy chicken.
- Keep an eye on oil temperature to prevent burning the batter.
- The pressure cooking step infuses the sauce flavors well and keeps the chicken moist.
- You can substitute sesame oil with vegetable or canola oil if needed.
- Adjust honey and sugar amounts to taste for sweetness level.
