Sticky Sweet Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken

This Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe offers a delightful culinary journey, transforming ordinary chicken thighs into an extraordinary meal using a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser, satisfying both kids and adults with its rich flavors and tender texture. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice for a truly wholesome and effortlessly delicious dinner.

The Instant Pot has become an indispensable tool in modern kitchens, revered for its ability to deliver incredible meals with remarkable speed and minimal fuss. For those moments when time is of the essence but flavor cannot be compromised, our pressure cooker becomes the ultimate culinary ally. We frequently turn to our Instant Pot for a variety of beloved recipes, including succulent Instant Pot Carnitas, hearty Instant Pot Chili, and this sensational Teriyaki Chicken. If you’re eager to explore more pressure cooker possibilities, don’t miss our curated collection of 16 Essential Instant Pot Recipes, designed to inspire your next quick and flavorful meal.

Why Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken is a Weeknight Winner

Teriyaki chicken stands as a timeless classic for compelling reasons: its irresistible taste and the harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and umami notes. This homemade Instant Pot version captures that cherished restaurant-quality flavor, but with a fraction of the effort and time. The pressure cooker infuses the chicken with the rich teriyaki sauce, ensuring every bite is moist, tender, and bursting with deliciousness. In mere minutes, you can have a gourmet-level meal ready to grace your table, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings. For a truly complete and authentic dining experience, we recommend pairing this chicken with our meticulously crafted homemade sushi rice recipe, which perfectly complements the vibrant flavors of the teriyaki.

Table of Contents

• Mastering Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken: Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Prepare Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Expert Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
• Smart Storage Solutions & Meal Prep Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Creative Flavor Customizations for Your Teriyaki Chicken
• More Asian-Inspired Delights to Explore
• Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Video Guide
• Your Feedback Matters!
• Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Card

Mastering Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken: Ingredients You’ll Need

Crafting this succulent Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that collectively create its iconic sweet and savory profile. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Chicken Thighs: We prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs for their rich flavor and tender texture, which holds up beautifully under pressure cooking. They remain moist and absorb the sauce wonderfully. You’ll need about 1 1/2 pounds, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken, enhancing its natural flavors before it’s bathed in the teriyaki sauce.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Forms the salty, umami base of our teriyaki. Using low sodium allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish, preventing it from becoming overly salty.
• Water: Helps dilute the sauce to the perfect consistency for pressure cooking and prevents burning.
• Brown Sugar: Provides the signature sweetness and a hint of molasses depth, contributing to the glossy finish of the sauce. Light or dark brown sugar will work.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers an aromatic punch, crucial for the savory complexity of teriyaki.
• Ginger: Freshly minced ginger adds a warm, zesty, and slightly pungent flavor that is quintessential to Asian cuisine and pairs perfectly with garlic and soy.
• Honey: Adds another layer of sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce slightly, giving it a beautiful sheen.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: A small amount of this highly aromatic oil adds a distinctive nutty flavor and depth to the sauce, best added at the end or used sparingly in the cooking process.
• Corn Starch: This is our secret weapon for achieving that perfectly thick, glossy teriyaki sauce. It’s mixed with cold water to create a slurry that’s whisked in at the end to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
• Sesame Seeds: Used as a garnish, they add a delightful crunch and a subtle nutty flavor, enhancing the visual appeal and textural contrast of the dish.
• Green Onions: Sliced green onions (scallions) serve as a fresh, vibrant garnish, adding a mild oniony bite and a pop of color that brightens the final presentation.

How to Prepare Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken is surprisingly simple, thanks to the efficiency of the pressure cooker. Follow these detailed steps for a perfect outcome every time:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by taking your boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cutting them into uniform 1-inch bite-sized pieces. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and quickly, and is perfect for serving over rice or noodles. Season these pieces generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
2. Whisk the Sauce: In the inner pot of your Instant Pot, combine all the sauce ingredients: low sodium soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, honey, and toasted sesame oil. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine everything until the brown sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Add the Chicken: Carefully add the seasoned chicken pieces into the Instant Pot with the sauce. Toss the chicken gently to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated in the rich teriyaki mixture. This step is crucial for infusing maximum flavor into the chicken during cooking.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 8 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.
5. Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. This natural release helps keep the chicken incredibly tender and prevents it from drying out. After 5 minutes, carefully move the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to manually release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, it’s safe to open the lid.
6. Remove Chicken: Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked chicken pieces from the pot and transfer them to a serving plate. Cover the plate loosely with foil to keep the chicken warm while you prepare the sauce.
7. Thicken the Sauce: Turn the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode. In a small separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 tablespoons of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth slurry forms.
8. Simmer and Thicken: As the sauce in the Instant Pot comes to a simmer, slowly whisk in the corn starch slurry. Continue to whisk gently for about 1 minute, or until the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency. It should be glossy and able to coat the back of a spoon.
9. Serve and Garnish: Turn off the Instant Pot. Return the warmed chicken pieces to the pot, tossing them gently to coat them thoroughly with the freshly thickened teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions for garnish. Serve immediately over rice or your preferred side, and enjoy your flavorful homemade Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken Preparation Versatility: While we love this dish with bite-sized chicken pieces for quick cooking and easy serving, you can also use whole boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If using whole thighs, simply shred them with two forks right in the pot after cooking and before returning them to the thickened sauce. This creates a wonderfully saucy, shredded chicken option.
• Serving Suggestions Abound: This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Beyond steamed rice, consider serving your teriyaki chicken over noodles (like lo mein or ramen), quinoa for an extra protein boost, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers make excellent additions to the meal.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: No Instant Pot? No problem! This recipe adapts well to a slow cooker. Use whole chicken thighs, coat them in the sauce mixture, and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is fork-tender. Shred the meat before serving. If you prefer a thicker sauce with this method, remove the chicken from the slow cooker, then pour the sauce into a pot on the stove top. Bring it to a simmer and whisk in the corn starch slurry until thickened. Return the chicken to the sauce and serve.
• Dealing with Frozen Chicken: While it is possible to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot, we highly recommend thawing your chicken first for this particular recipe. Cooking from frozen will significantly increase the cook time and may impact the sauce consistency, requiring adjustments. Thawing ensures the chicken cooks evenly and quickly, and integrates better with the sauce.
• Browning for Deeper Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor, consider browning your chicken pieces in the Instant Pot on ‘Sauté’ mode with a tablespoon of oil before adding the sauce and pressure cooking. This step isn’t strictly necessary but adds a lovely depth of flavor and texture to the chicken.
• Sauce Consistency Control: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after adding the cornstarch, you can whisk in an additional half teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water and simmer for another minute until it reaches your desired thickness. Remember, it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

Creative Flavor Customizations for Your Teriyaki Chicken

While this dish is phenomenal as-is, one of its greatest strengths is its adaptability. Don’t hesitate to customize the flavors and ingredients to perfectly suit your family’s preferences and dietary needs. Here are some exciting variations to inspire your culinary creativity:

• Protein Power-Ups:
  • Chicken Breast: For an even leaner option, chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs. Cut them into 1-inch cubes to ensure even and quick cooking, similar to the thighs. Be mindful not to overcook, as chicken breast can dry out more easily.
  • Steak: Thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin makes for a delicious beef teriyaki. Adjust cooking time accordingly; beef might need a slightly longer pressure cook depending on the cut and desired tenderness.
  • Salmon: For a faster cooking and seafood-based option, salmon fillets are excellent. They will require a significantly shorter cook time, typically around 3-5 minutes on high pressure, so plan accordingly to avoid overcooking.
  • Tofu: For a vegetarian twist, use firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed, instead of meat. You can pan-fry or air-fry the tofu cubes until golden before adding them to the Instant Pot with the sauce, then pressure cook for a minimal time (e.g., 2-3 minutes) just to infuse flavor.
• Vibrant Vegetable Additions:

  Incorporating vegetables not only adds nutrients and color but also makes the meal more substantial. You can either pressure cook them briefly with the chicken (if they are hearty veggies like carrots) or, for softer vegetables, use the ‘Sauté’ mode after cooking the chicken. Sauté your chosen vegetables directly in the thickened teriyaki sauce before adding the chicken back to the pot. Some fantastic options include:

  • Mushrooms (sliced)
  • Zucchini (diced or sliced)
  • Small broccoli florets
  • Thinly sliced carrots
  • Bell peppers (various colors, sliced)
  • Snap peas or snow peas
  • Green beans

  Serving the chicken and veggies over rice or noodles in a single bowl creates a convenient and satisfying lunch or dinner.

• Bold Flavor Boosters:

  Take your teriyaki sauce to the next level by experimenting with additional flavorings:

  • Spicy Kick: For those who love heat, add a dash of sriracha, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or a thinly sliced fresh chili pepper to the sauce mixture.
  • Umami Depth: A tablespoon of mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine) can enhance the authentic Japanese flavor profile. If you don’t have mirin, a tiny splash of rice vinegar can add a subtle tang.
  • Citrus Brightness: A squeeze of fresh orange juice or a teaspoon of orange zest can add a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the rich sauce.
  • Aromatic Herbs: Freshly chopped cilantro or basil can be stirred in just before serving for an aromatic finish.
  • Nutty Garnish: Beyond sesame seeds, try sprinkling chopped roasted peanuts or cashews for added crunch and flavor.

Once you experience the sheer ease and incredible flavor of preparing teriyaki chicken in your Instant Pot, you’ll likely find yourself reaching for this method again and again. It truly revolutionizes how quickly and effortlessly you can bring a fantastic, satisfying meal to your table!

More Asian-Inspired Delights to Explore

Chicken Fried Rice

Total Time: 30 mins

Szechuan Beef

Total Time: 30 mins

Honey Chicken

Total Time: 45 mins

Yakitori Recipe

Total Time: 35 mins

Beef Chow Mein

Total Time: 35 mins

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Video Guide

Watch our step-by-step video guide to see exactly how easy it is to make this delectable Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken. Visual instructions often clarify the process and ensure you achieve perfect results every time.