Welcome to what promises to be the best Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken you’ve ever prepared! This incredibly simple yet profoundly flavorful dish features succulent chicken breasts bathed in a rich, savory teriyaki sauce. Designed as a truly “dump-and-go” meal, it requires minimal hands-on time, making it the perfect solution for even the busiest weeknights. Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this quick, easy, and utterly delicious recipe.
To create a complete and satisfying meal, we highly recommend serving this delightful chicken alongside fluffy rice cooked right in your Instant Pot and vibrant steamed broccoli. This combination offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, ensuring a filling and immensely enjoyable dining experience for the whole family.
Effortless Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken: Your New Weeknight Favorite
Once again, my Instant Pot proves to be a kitchen superhero, delivering incredible meals with remarkable ease. This Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe perfectly embodies the appliance’s magic: minimal prep, practically no cleanup, and a truly hands-off cooking experience. It’s the quintessential “dump-and-go” dish, ideal for those demanding weekdays when time is short, or simply when you’re craving a delicious homemade meal without the fuss. Beyond its simplicity, this dish is exceptionally flavorful, incredibly versatile, and can even be prepared in advance, making it a dream come true for meal planning enthusiasts.
Why Choose the Instant Pot for Teriyaki Chicken?
The Instant Pot isn’t just a trendy gadget; it’s a game-changer for dishes like teriyaki chicken. Here’s why it shines:
- Speed and Efficiency: Pressure cooking significantly reduces cooking time. What might take 30-40 minutes on the stove or in the oven is accomplished in a fraction of that, thanks to the high-pressure environment.
- Consistent Tenderness: The sealed, high-pressure environment locks in moisture, ensuring that your chicken breasts (or thighs) emerge incredibly tender and juicy every single time, preventing them from drying out.
- One-Pot Wonder: From cooking the chicken to simmering and thickening the sauce, everything happens in one pot. This drastically cuts down on dishes, making cleanup a breeze.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once you’ve loaded the ingredients and set the timer, you’re free to attend to other tasks, making it perfect for busy evenings. No constant stirring or monitoring required.
The Secret to Perfect Teriyaki: Quality Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, which, when combined, create a harmonious and deeply satisfying flavor profile. While bottled teriyaki sauce offers convenience, crafting your own allows for superior taste and control over sodium and sugar levels. We highly recommend trying our recipe for homemade teriyaki sauce to elevate this dish even further.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and cook quickly. Dicing them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes serving effortless.
- Water: Crucial for the Instant Pot to come to pressure safely and efficiently, and forms the base for our flavorful sauce.
- For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable caramelized glaze.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The cornerstone of teriyaki, delivering rich umami flavor. Using low-sodium allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang and brightness, balancing the sweetness and savory notes.
- Minced Garlic: An aromatic essential, infusing the sauce with pungent depth.
- Sesame Oil: A finishing touch that adds a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor, characteristic of Asian cuisine.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
- Cornstarch: Used to create a slurry that thickens the sauce to a perfect, glossy consistency after pressure cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Teriyaki Chicken in the Instant Pot
Preparing this Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a mouthwatering meal ready in no time!
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken. Begin by dicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper.
- Step 2: Mix the Sauce. In a separate bowl or a large measuring cup, combine the brown sugar, low-sodium soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. Then, add the specified amount of water and whisk again. Pour this entire sauce mixture directly into the Instant Pot liner.
- Step 3: Combine and Cook. Add the seasoned, diced chicken to the Instant Pot with the sauce. Stir everything gently to ensure that all the chicken pieces are coated in the flavorful teriyaki mixture. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting, and set the cooking time for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Release Pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Press the “Cancel” button. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes (10-minute NPR). This helps keep the chicken tender. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure. Once the floating pin drops, it’s safe to open the lid. Always open the lid away from your face to avoid steam.
- Step 5: Thicken the Sauce. In a small separate bowl, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking together cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the hot teriyaki sauce in the Instant Pot. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, you can turn on the “Sauté” setting for a few minutes while stirring, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and thicken.
Finally, serve your luscious Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken immediately over your favorite side dishes, like rice or noodles, and a generous portion of steamed vegetables. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Can I use chicken thighs to make teriyaki chicken in the Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for this recipe. They tend to be more forgiving, offer a richer flavor, and stay incredibly juicy even under pressure. Simply dice them into bite-sized pieces, just as you would chicken breasts, and follow the recipe as written. The cooking time remains the same. Feel free to use whichever you have on hand or prefer!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, this Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep or busy schedules. As the dish cools, the sauce will naturally thicken. If you find it too thick when reheating, simply add a splash of water or chicken broth to achieve your desired consistency. You can reheat it directly in the Instant Pot on the “Sauté” setting, in the microwave, or gently in a saucepan on the stovetop until heated through.
How to meal prep Instant Pot teriyaki chicken?
Meal prepping this dish is incredibly efficient. To save time during the week, you can dice the chicken as soon as you purchase it and store it in a freezer-safe bag. Prepare the teriyaki sauce separately and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply thaw the chicken (if frozen), combine it with the prepared sauce and water in the Instant Pot, and follow the cooking instructions. You can also double the recipe for larger batches; the cooking time will remain the same. This method allows you to enjoy a delicious, homemade meal with minimal effort throughout the week.
Why dice the chicken? Can I use whole chicken breasts?
Dicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces offers several advantages for this recipe. First, it significantly reduces the cooking time, allowing the chicken to cook through perfectly in just 5 minutes of pressure cooking. Second, it eliminates the need for any slicing after the dish is cooked, making serving quick and easy. Third, for this particular recipe, many prefer the texture of diced chicken over shredded chicken, which can sometimes result from cooking whole chicken breasts under pressure and then shredding them. While you could technically cook whole chicken breasts, you would need to adjust cooking times, and they might require slicing afterward, which defeats the purpose of the “dump-and-go” convenience.
What should I serve with Teriyaki Chicken?
The classic pairing for teriyaki chicken is, of course, rice! Fluffy white rice or brown rice provides a perfect canvas for the savory sauce. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, snap peas, or green beans also make excellent additions, adding freshness and nutrients. For a different twist, you could serve it with quinoa, ramen noodles, or even a side salad. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions as a garnish adds both flavor and visual appeal.
Are there any variations I can try?
Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained) along with the chicken for a sweet and tangy twist. A teaspoon of grated fresh ginger can be added to the sauce for an extra layer of aromatic flavor. For a spicier kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha can be stirred into the sauce. You can also incorporate vegetables directly into the Instant Pot after the pressure cooking cycle, during the sauce thickening stage, allowing them to gently cook in the flavorful sauce.
More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes to Explore:
If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results from your Instant Pot, you’ll be thrilled to explore more of our pressure cooker recipes. Dive into these other popular options for quick and easy weeknight dinners:
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
For even more culinary inspiration, make sure to browse our comprehensive Instant Pot Category, filled with recipes designed to make your cooking life easier and more delicious.
New to pressure cooking? Check out my essential Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, packed with all the information you need to confidently use your new appliance. And if you ever encounter the dreaded “BURN” message, our detailed Instant Pot Burn Message post will explain why it happens and, more importantly, how to save your dish!
This Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken is a testament to how simple and satisfying weeknight meals can be. With its minimal prep, quick cooking time, and irresistible flavor, it’s bound to become a staple in your rotation. Give it a try tonight and discover the magic for yourself!
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
This is the Best Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken I’ve ever made! Made with chicken breasts, teriyaki sauce and water, this dinner is a dump-and-go meal with minimal prep. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Author: Anna
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Instructions:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Combine brown sugar, low-sodium soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a glass measuring cup. Add ½ cup of water and whisk together thoroughly. Pour this mixture into the Instant Pot liner.
- Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the Instant Pot and stir everything gently to ensure the chicken is coated.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing valve is turned to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Press the “Cancel” button. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid safely, away from your face.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to create a smooth slurry. Add this slurry to the teriyaki sauce in the Instant Pot. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, you can use the “Sauté” setting for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
- Serve your delicious Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken immediately with fluffy rice and your favorite steamed vegetables.
Notes:
- Please note, using low-sodium soy sauce is highly recommended to prevent the dish from becoming overly salty.
- You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Chicken thighs often provide a richer flavor and tend to stay juicier.
- This dish reheats very well. The sauce naturally thickens as it cools. If it becomes too thick for your preference when reheating, simply add a splash of water or broth. Reheat the dish using the “Sauté” setting in the Instant Pot, in the microwave, or in a saucepan on the stove.
- Please note that the nutritional values provided are estimates and can vary depending on the specific products and brands you use. Always consult a calorie counter or nutritional calculator you are familiar with for the most accurate information.
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Potassium: 928mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
If you enjoy this recipe and decide to make it, we’d love to see your creation! Snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Be sure to tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can admire your delicious work and leave a comment! 😀
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