Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Are you craving that perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen? This instant pot teriyaki chicken recipe is your answer to quick, delicious dinners that taste like they took all day to make. Using your pressure cooker transforms tough chicken into tender, juicy perfection while infusing every bite with rich teriyaki goodness.

What makes this instant pot teriyaki chicken so special is how the high-pressure environment locks in moisture and flavors. You'll get restaurant-quality results in just 30 minutes from start to finish. This recipe works perfectly with chicken thighs, breasts, or even frozen chicken pieces, making it incredibly versatile for busy weeknight meals.

Background & Why This Teriyaki Magic Stands Out

The beauty of making instant pot teriyaki chicken lies in the science of pressure cooking. Traditional teriyaki recipes require marinating time and careful stovetop attention, but your pressure cooker does all the work for you. The sealed environment creates the perfect conditions for the teriyaki sauce to penetrate deep into the chicken while keeping every piece incredibly moist.

This recipe has become a household favorite because it delivers authentic Japanese flavors without the complexity. The homemade teriyaki sauce cooks right alongside the chicken, creating a glossy, caramelized coating that rivals any restaurant dish. Whether you're meal prepping for the week or need a quick family dinner, this instant pot teriyaki chicken adapts to your schedule perfectly.

Jump to:

• Background & Why This Teriyaki Magic Stands Out
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Expert Cooking Tips
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
• FAQ
• Perfect Pairings to Complete Your Meal
• Related
• Pairing
• Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• Chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Vegetable oil
• Chicken broth
• Cornstarch
• Cold water

For the Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic, minced
• Fresh ginger, grated
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

For Serving

• Cooked white or brown rice
• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds
• Steamed broccoli (optional)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce and Chicken

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
2. Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.
3. Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sear and Pressure Cook

1. Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat vegetable oil.
2. Add chicken pieces and brown for 2-3 minutes (don't worry about cooking through).
3. Pour in chicken broth and teriyaki sauce mixture.
4. Close lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes for fresh chicken (12 minutes for frozen).
5. Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

1. Remove chicken to a serving plate.
2. Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
3. Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and stir in cornstarch mixture.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
5. Return chicken to pot and toss to coat with thickened sauce.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

1. Serve instant pot teriyaki chicken over steamed rice.
2. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
3. Add steamed broccoli or your favorite vegetables on the side.

Expert Cooking Tips

Getting the perfect instant pot teriyaki chicken every time requires a few professional secrets that make all the difference.

Temperature and Timing Secrets:

• Don't skip the searing step; it adds crucial flavor depth
• Natural pressure release prevents chicken from becoming tough
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature
• Frozen chicken works beautifully but needs 4 extra minutes of cooking time

Flavor Enhancement Techniques:

• Fresh ginger makes a huge difference over powdered
• Dark soy sauce creates richer color but increases sodium
• Adding pineapple juice (2 tablespoons) creates authentic sweetness
• Marinating chicken for 30 minutes before cooking intensifies flavors

Texture Perfection Tips:

• Cut chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness
• Don't overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if needed
• The cornstarch slurry should be completely smooth to avoid lumps
• Let sauce rest for 2 minutes after thickening for best consistency

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

This versatile instant pot teriyaki chicken adapts beautifully to different dietary needs and preferences.

Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken for salmon, pork tenderloin, or firm tofu for vegetarian options. Beef strips work wonderfully but need 2 additional minutes of pressure cooking. Turkey breast creates a leaner version with identical cooking times.

Dietary Modifications:

• Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free
• Sugar-Free: Replace brown sugar and honey with sugar-free alternatives or extra rice vinegar
• Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice
• Keto-Friendly: Increase sesame oil and reduce honey to 1 tablespoon

Flavor Variations: Create different profiles by adding orange juice for citrus notes, sriracha for heat, or coconut aminos for paleo compliance. Pineapple chunks turn this into a tropical version, while bell peppers and snap peas make it a complete one-pot meal.

Equipment Recommendations

The right tools make preparing instant pot teriyaki chicken effortless and ensure consistent results every time.

Essential equipment includes a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot (perfect size for family meals), a good chef's knife for uniform chicken cutting, and measuring cups for accurate sauce ratios. A fine-mesh strainer helps remove any lumps from the cornstarch mixture, while silicone tongs make it easy to handle hot chicken pieces safely.

Helpful accessories include a wooden spoon for stirring (won't scratch the pot), glass bowls for mixing ingredients, and an instant-read thermometer for food safety. A rice cooker or rice steamer insert can cook your rice simultaneously, creating a complete meal in one appliance.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Proper storage keeps your instant pot teriyaki chicken fresh and delicious for days.

• Refrigerator Storage: Store cooled chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture and flavor. Glass containers work best as they don't retain odors and reheat evenly in the microwave.
• Freezer Storage: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Leave 1-inch headspace for expansion and label with date and contents. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Strategy:

• Cook chicken on Sunday for easy weekday meals
• Portion with rice in meal prep containers
• Store sauce separately if planning to use within 2 days
• Reheat gently to prevent overcooking the chicken
• Add fresh garnishes after reheating for best presentation

FAQ

Perfect Pairings to Complete Your Meal

Now that you've mastered this incredible instant pot teriyaki chicken, why not expand your Asian-inspired cooking repertoire with these complementary recipes?

The sweet and savory flavors of teriyaki pair beautifully with fresh, crisp vegetables. Try our Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Recipe for a lighter version that showcases seasonal vegetables and maintains that same delicious flavor profile. This stovetop variation cooks in just 15 minutes and provides a perfect way to use any leftover instant pot teriyaki chicken.

For seafood lovers, our Teriyaki Salmon Baked Recipe brings those same beloved flavors to heart-healthy fish. The caramelized glaze works just as beautifully with salmon as it does with chicken, creating an elegant dinner option that's ready in under 25 minutes. These recipes work together to give you a complete collection of quick, flavorful meals that will keep your family excited about dinner time.

With love from my kitchen to yours,
Aubrey James

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Pairing

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