Instant Pot® Chinese Black Pepper Chicken with Celery

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

This is a great recipe for Chinese black pepper chicken (made with fresh or frozen chicken) cooked in the Instant Pot®.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
5 stalks celery, sliced, or more to taste
3/4 cup chicken broth
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds frozen cubed chicken
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

1 Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add onion and celery and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Turn off Saute function. Add chicken broth, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and pepper; stir to combine. Set frozen chicken on top and do not stir.
2 Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 4 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
3 Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir to mix, then stir in sesame oil.
4 Select Saute function. Mix water and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Add to the bubbling liquid and stir until sauce has somewhat thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.