When folks go out for Japanese, they typically get one of two things: Sushi or Chicken Teriyaki. Or both in a Bento box .And I get it – the chicken is so tender, the sauce is so sublime, you’ll want to use it to serve over rice (or slurp the sauce on its own).
So it was high time I used the Instant Pot to create the most authentic-tasting Chicken Teriyaki that will please absolutely everyone who loves this sweet and tender staple.
Here’s How I Made It! (scroll to the bottom for the fully-written recipe):
Begin with a bunch of scallions…
…and slice them up (reserving a few for garnish).
Then, take some boneless, skinless, chicken thighs…
…and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Now, add some sesame oil and vegetable oil to the Instant Pot…
…along with some butter and give it some heat.
Once the butter’s melted…
…add in the chicken.
…and feel free to lightly season with seasoned salt or salt & pepper, if desired.
Stir and sauté for a few minutes.
Now, add in some crushed garlic…
…and squeeze or minced ginger.
Sauté for a moment longer until the chicken is just pinkish-white in color (it should not be fully cooked).
Next, we’ll add in some chicken or garlic broth…
…rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar…
…low-sodium soy sauce…
…and brown sugar.
Give everything a good stir, secure the lid and cook at high pressure.
When done, it won’t look quite like Chicken Teriyaki…YET. A few finishing touches will change that.
Add in some hoisin sauce (this is a delicious Chinese plum sauce easily found anywhere)…
…and honey.
Stir until incorporated.
And to magically thicken the sauce up we’ll mix together equal parts cornstarch…
…and water…
…to form a slurry!
Give the pot some heat so it begins to bubble.
…and then stir in the slurry.
You’ll notice the sauce will have immediately thickened into the perfect consistency. Kill the heat. Once the bubbles die down…
…take the scallions (reserving a few for the garnish)…
…and add them to the pot.
You can also use a browning agent such as Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet for a touch more flavor and a deeper color.
Give it all a final stir!
Transfer to a serving bowl…
…and top with some sesame seeds…
…and additional scallions, if desired.
Now, show it off…
…play a game of airplane…
…try it out…
…and react at the exquisite flavor bomb that just went off in your mouth.
And since there will be PLENTY of that perfect sauce, it goes even better with my white rice!
Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki
Chicken Teriyaki is iconic in Japanese restaurants - especially for those who aren't into sushi. And with that classic sweet and savory sauce, is it really any wonder why kids and grown-ups alike love it so much? This one is going to do the trick.
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces (lightly seasoned with a few pinches of seasoned salt OR salt & pepper, if desired)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) salted butter
- 3 cloves (1 tablespoon) crushed or minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon squeeze ginger or minced ginger
- 1/2 cup chicken or garlic broth (I used 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Better Than Bouillon + 1/2 cup water)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water mixed to form a slurry
- 1 teaspoon Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
- 1 bunch scallions, sliced (with some reserved for topping)
- Sesame Seeds, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Add the oil and butter to the pot and hit Sauté and Adjust so it’s on the More or High setting and allow it to heat up for 3 or so minutes.
- Once the oil’s heated and the butter’s melted, add the chicken and sauté for 2 minutes until pinkish-white in color (it should NOT be fully cooked in this stage). Then, add in the garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute longer.
- Lastly, add in the broth, vinegar, soy sauce and light brown sugar and stir well. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Keep Warm/Cancel and then hit Pressure Cook or Manual and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure. Quick release when done.
- When the lid comes off, stir in the hoisin sauce and honey until well combined.
- Finally, hit Keep Warm/Cancel and then hit Sauté and adjust so it’s on the More or High setting. Once it begins to bubble, stir in the cornstarch slurry, allow to bubble for 30 seconds while stirring and then turn the pot off and the sauce will have thickened up perfectly. Stir in the Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet (if using) along with the scallions.
- Place in a serving bowl, top with sesame seeds and additional scallions, if desired, and serve over my white rice or brown rice!
Jeffrey's Tips
I personally think chicken thighs are the best cut of chicken for this dish since they’re so juicy, tender and melt in your mouth. That said, if you’re more a white meat person and wish to use chicken breasts instead, have right at it! Just slice them up into bite-size pieces and the cook time remains the same.
Richard McKenzie
Made your teriyaki chicken recipe and it was delicious! Like buttah. Will be making champagne chicken New Year’s Eve, thank you very much! Enjoy your excellent presentations and your humor. I’m new to Instant Pot and your videos got me to use it. My wife is thrilled. My best to you and Richard. Enjoy you new home.
Jeffrey
Ah! So happy – love this! And Happy New Year!
Dennis McRobbie
This recipe is one of my favorites. I just made a “lighter” version yesterday by omitting the butter and honey. I cut the vegetable oil and the brown sugar by half. Came out excellent. Thank you.
Jeffrey
Fantastic! So thrilled you enjoyed it!
Stacy
I want to add fresh mushrooms and green beans to this. When would you recommend I add them in?
Kim Jahsman
Amazing! I added broccoli!
KAREN HAZZARD
I have everything except hoisin sauce. Do you have a recommended substitution? I have fish sauce. Don’t know if that would be a substitution.
Karen B Trudeau
fish sauce & hoisin sauce are not interchangeable
Margaret
Delicious! I thought 1 tablespoon of sesame oil sounded like a lot (it can be really powerful), so I used about 3/4 of that. I should have trusted you and will next time. Still a very tasty chicken teriyaki!
Karen Reilly
This is absolutely the best Teriyaki chicken I have ever had! The sauce is to die for.
Hubby was super impressed & wants it again next week!
Thanks Jeffrey, you knocked it out of the park with this one 😋
Jennifer
This was fantastic! But if you’re doing chicken breasts, like I had to because it is all I had, I’d do 3 minutes instead of 4
Loretta
I didn’t get a thumbs up on this one. My son didn’t think it had enough flavor. Any ideas how to make stronger teriyaki flavor. The chicken was perfect though.
Margie
Great recipe! We loVed it! If I double the ingredients, how long should I pressure cook?
Loren Martin
Loved it so much we’re doubling the recipe next time! Thanks from Oklahoma
Allison
I don’t mix meat and dairy…what should I replace the original butter with?
BBK
I had 20 oz. of chicken thighs. I didn’t adjust the rest of the ingredients, I used the measurements list and it turned out great! My hubby is not a fan of Asian style meals, but he ate a big plateful! I served it with Basmati rice and steamed broccoli. I will make this again and again!
Di
Really enjoyed this! I think it would be amazing w/ shrimp (and some veggies) as I’m a veggie freak. Would cut back on sugar next time as I’m a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and watch everything I consume. Would be awesome if you could partner w/ WW and come up w/ WW friendly points recipes! ;0)
Tyler
Seriously the best teriyaki sauce I’ve ever had.
Jeffery,
If I just wanted to make the sauce (To go over precooked chicken and rice) can I just have it pressure cooked for 1 minute? TIA!
5 star recipe – will be a staple in our house.
todd
I replaced chicken with pork tenderloin. Tenderloins seem to be on sale more often then chicken these days and it’s very lean. I also saute some bell peppers in hoisin sauce in a pan and toss pot after instantpot finishes. This gives dish color and crunch. Also a can of Pineapple chunks at end gives a sweet and crunchy extra.
Love this recipe thank you Jeffery.
Nataliya
A very good recipe, thank you Jeff.
Next time I would definitely lessen the sugar amount (honey and brown sugar), it was a bit too sweet for me but the flavor is definitely there.
I used chicken 2 breasts, next time will use 3-4 chicken breasts. Serving with Basmati rice and steamed broccoli. This one is a keeper.
Jeffrey
Love this – it’s all about altering to one’s tastes!
Karen
so very tasty💗
pulling a close second to my favorite Dan Dan noodles.
As I’m diabetic (type 2) I used 1/8 cup Splenda blend brown sugar and 1/8 cup honey.
Thank you for your fabulous recipes!
Jeffrey
Awesome subs!