Chinese cuisine is beloved worldwide for its rich flavors, variety of textures, and creative use of ingredients. Whether you’re craving a savory stir-fry, a comforting soup, or a flavorful dumpling dish, the Instant Pot can help you bring the taste of China right to your kitchen.
By using the Instant Pot, you can prepare your favorite Instant Pot Chinese recipes quickly and easily, without sacrificing flavor or authenticity. From hearty meals like Instant Pot Chinese chicken recipes to lighter options like vegetable-based stir-fries, the possibilities are endless.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into some of the best Instant Pot Chinese recipes, tips for cooking Chinese dishes with the Instant Pot, and why using this appliance is a game-changer for making delicious Chinese meals at home.
Why Use the Instant Pot for Chinese Recipes?
The Instant Pot is more than just a pressure cooker—it’s a versatile kitchen tool that can sauté, steam, slow cook, and even make yogurt. When it comes to making Instant Pot Chinese recipes, the appliance’s pressure cooking function allows you to cook meat, vegetables, and grains quickly while locking in flavors.
Here’s why you should try making Chinese recipes with Instant Pot:
1. Time-Saving:
Many Instant Pot Chinese recipes traditionally require long simmering times or multiple steps of preparation. With the Instant Pot, you can speed up the cooking process without sacrificing taste, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
2. Versatility:
The Instant Pot can make everything from rice and noodles to dumplings and soups, making it the perfect tool for preparing a wide range of Instant Pot Chinese recipes. Whether you want to make a one-pot dish or a side, the Instant Pot can handle it all.
3. Flavor Retention:
One of the biggest advantages of using the Instant Pot is its ability to retain flavors. The sealed cooking environment locks in moisture, making meats tender and infusing dishes with rich, deep flavors that are often difficult to achieve using traditional stovetop methods.
4. Easy Cleanup:
The Instant Pot’s one-pot cooking method means there are fewer dishes to clean. This is particularly helpful when preparing a variety of Instant Pot Chinese recipes in one go.
5. Consistent Results:
The Instant Pot provides consistent results every time, ensuring that your Chinese recipes with Instant Pot turn out perfectly cooked, whether you’re making chicken, beef, or vegetable dishes.
Now that you know why the Instant Pot is a must-have for cooking Chinese dishes, let’s take a look at some of the best Instant Pot Chinese recipes to try at home.
1. Instant Pot Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
One of the most popular Chinese dishes, chicken and broccoli, is now made easier with the Instant Pot. This Instant Pot Chinese recipe is quick, flavorful, and packed with protein and vegetables, making it a balanced meal for the entire family.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the sesame oil. Add the garlic, ginger, and onion, and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure and add the broccoli. Stir in the cornstarch dissolved in water to thicken the sauce.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles.
This Instant Pot Chinese chicken recipe is quick and delicious, with tender chicken and flavorful sauce.
2. Instant Pot Chinese Beef and Broccoli
Beef and broccoli is another classic Chinese dish that’s made easy with the Instant Pot. The beef is tenderized quickly while maintaining its savory, umami flavor. This Instant Pot Chinese recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the sesame oil. Add the garlic and onion, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the beef slices and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and beef broth.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure and add the broccoli. If you’d like a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on sauté mode for a few minutes until thickened.
- Serve over steamed rice.
This Instant Pot Chinese recipe delivers tender beef and perfectly cooked broccoli with a flavorful sauce that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
3. Instant Pot Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and sour chicken is a favorite dish in Chinese-American cuisine, and making it in the Instant Pot is a breeze. This dish features crispy chicken chunks smothered in a tangy, sweet sauce. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup oil (for sautéing)
Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the bell pepper and onion, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and water. Pour this mixture into the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure and thicken the sauce by adding the cornstarch slurry. Stir well to combine.
- Serve with rice and garnish with green onions.
This Instant Pot Chinese recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, with juicy chicken and a rich sauce.
4. Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken
For those who enjoy a zesty twist, Instant Pot Chinese lemon chicken offers a tangy and refreshing flavor with a crispy texture. The Instant Pot makes it simple to cook this dish to perfection in just a few steps.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into strips
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat sesame oil. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken strips and cook until browned on all sides.
- Mix the lemon juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure and thicken the sauce by adding a cornstarch slurry. Stir until the sauce reaches the desired thickness.
- Serve with rice and garnish with lemon slices and green onions.
This Instant Pot Chinese recipe is bright, tangy, and full of flavor, making it a great option for anyone craving a lighter Chinese dish.
5. Instant Pot Chinese Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic Chinese dish that’s both versatile and filling. You can easily make it in the Instant Pot using leftover rice, vegetables, and your choice of protein. This Instant Pot Chinese recipe is perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 eggs, scrambled
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken, shrimp, or pork (optional)
Instructions:
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat sesame oil. Add the onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the peas and carrots, stirring for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice, soy sauce, and any additional proteins.
- In a separate pan, scramble the eggs and add them to the rice mixture.
- Stir everything together and sauté for another 3-5 minutes until heated through.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This Instant Pot Chinese recipe for fried rice is a fantastic way to use leftover rice while creating a delicious, savory dish.
Conclusion
The Instant Pot is an amazing tool for preparing Instant Pot Chinese recipes quickly and easily. Whether you’re craving a classic stir-fry, savory sweet and sour chicken, or a zesty lemon chicken dish, the Instant Pot can help you achieve authentic, flavorful Chinese dishes in no time.
The convenience, speed, and flavor retention of the Instant Pot make it the perfect kitchen appliance for experimenting with Chinese recipes with Instant Pot. Try out these dishes and enjoy the taste of China right from the comfort of your home. Happy cooking!
