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Budget Freezer Meal Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe!

Budget Freezer Meal Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe!

By Mona - Far From The Farm
October 10, 2025
Save money and eat better with this Budget Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken! The perfect freezer meal for busy nights! 
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Makes: 4 large servings
Approximate cost $10
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Slow Release 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 large servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Asian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Assemble the freezer meal
  • 3 Large frozen chicken breasts
  • 1 cup Honey
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground black pepper
  • ½ cup Coconut aminos - or soy sauce – if using soy, skip the salt!
  • ¼ cup Frozen diced onion
  • ⅓ cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp Dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp Sesame oil
Add to Instant Pot when cooking
  • 1/2 cup Water
Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry
  • 2 to 3 tbsp Water
  • 1 to 2 tbsp Cornstarch Slurry
Optional garnishes
  • 1 tsp Sesame seeds - per person for a nutty-accent
  • 1 tsp Chopped scallions - per person

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • cutting board
  • Kitchen tongs
  • KitchenAid Mixer or two forks for shredding the chicken works fine too
  • Mixing bowl
  • Large freezer food bags 1 to 2 gallon works best
  • Oven gloves

Method
 

Assemble the freezer meal
  1. FREEZER MEAL PREP:
    To create your freezer meal place the frozen chicken breasts, honey, salt, pepper, coconut aminos, frozen diced onion, ketchup, minced garlic, red pepper flakes and sesame oil in a large freezer-safe food bag. Seal tightly and label with the recipe name and date.
    Freeze the bag flat. It saves space and helps the chicken thaw evenly when you’re ready to cook.
    This meal will keep perfectly in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cooking the freezer meal
  1. Remove your freezer bag of Honey Sesame Chicken from the freezer. Run the bag under cool water for a minute or two until the contents loosen slightly from the sides.
  2. Place the frozen block of ingredients directly into your Instant Pot.
  3. Then I add ½ cup of water into the freezer bag, seal and shake it, and pour that over the top of the frozen chicken mix in the Instant Pot. That way I get most of the sweet honey goodness out of the bag!
    You can skip this step and just pour your water straight into the Instant Pot if you prefer, but I always recommend doing it for that extra boost of flavor.
  4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is set to SEAL, and cook on HIGH pressure for 25 minutes.
    When the timer finishes, allow a slow release for 5 to 10 minutes before turning the valve to VENT and releasing the steam completely.
  5. Open the lid carefully and remove the chicken. You can shred it using a KitchenAid mixer with a paddle attachment (my favorite way) or use two forks on a cutting board.
    If you prefer, you can also chop the chicken into bite-sized cubes, it works perfectly either way.
  6. To thicken the sauce, mix together 1–2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2–3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until smooth.
    Turn your Instant Pot to SAUTÉ mode, pour in the slurry, and stir well. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and turns glossy.
  7. Return the shredded or cubed chicken to the pot and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
  8. Serve over rice, sprinkle with sesame seeds or sliced green onions, and enjoy that takeout-style flavor right at home.

Notes

  • Don’t skip the sesame oil as it gives that nutty depth you expect from a good sesame chicken.
  • If you use soy sauce instead of coconut aminos, reduce or skip the added salt.
  • You can easily double this recipe for meal prep.
 

Storage

 
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze again (for example, after cooking), cool completely before transferring to freezer bags. Freeze flat for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water to bring the sauce back to life.
 
 

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

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