Sweet, sticky, and simple Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken needs to be next on your list of easy and healthy dinner recipes to try!
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This healthy teriyaki chicken recipe is a wholesome twist (like this Healthy Fried Rice recipe) on the ultra-appealing teriyaki chicken stir fry that was my earliest gateway into Asian food.
I was introduced to Japanese teriyaki chicken via our hometown’s favorite (only?) Japanese takeout joint.
It was in the corner of a nondescript strip mall simply decorated with photos of menu items on the wall and soy sauce bottles on the tables.
However, what the restaurant lacked in atmosphere, it made up for in food.
Just thinking about their classic teriyaki chicken recipe (and their Crispy Tofu) still makes my mouth water.
Today’s recipe is a lightened-up variation of that classic (like this Healthy Chicken Stir Fry).
- Made with natural ingredients, and easy to adapt for either teriyaki chicken breasts or teriyaki chicken thighs, it’s a quick, easy, and healthy homemade takeout recipe the whole family can enjoy.
5 Star Review
“Just made this last night and the family loved it! It really tasted just like the restaurant version and it was super easy to make!”
— Christina —
What I love most about this healthy teriyaki chicken recipe for the Instant Pot is its simple list of ingredients and quick cooking time.
- Unlike most teriyaki chicken recipes that are laden with corn syrup, sodium, and other mystery ingredients meant to be consumed in moderation, this homemade teriyaki sauce from scratch (similar to the one in this Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry) requires just 7 simple ingredients.
- Everything is prepared right in your pressure cooker which makes this a one-pot takeout teriyaki chicken (like this Teriyaki Chicken Casserole) that’s fast to prepare and clean up.
Serve it with rice, noodles, or a side of vegetables, and you have yourself a knockout dinner that beats the pants off of takeout every single time! For a stovestop version, check out my Teriyaki Chicken.
How to Make Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
You won’t find any Instant Pot teriyaki chicken with bottled sauce here!
The base recipe for this Instant Pot teriyaki chicken is very similar to my Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken. Like the original recipe, this one is made of simple, homemade ingredients.
More Takeout Recipes
Making healthy versions of Asian takeout favorites has become a little side hobby of mine.
For more takeout-style recipes, try my Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli (or Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli), General Tso’s Tofu, Crockpot Orange Chicken, or Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
The Ingredients
- Chicken. I went for lean, protein-rich chicken breasts for this easy Instant Pot teriyaki chicken recipe. (It’s also standard for my favorite Chicken with Thai Peanut Stir Fry Sauce recipe.)
- Soy Sauce. A fundamental ingredient in countless Asian recipes, I like to use, and recommend opting for, low-sodium soy sauce for this teriyaki chicken recipe.
- Honey. A natural sweetener that replaces a portion of the brown sugar (most restaurant sauces are LOADED with sugar or corn syrup).
- Brown Sugar. We do still need a little for the quintessential teriyaki chicken flavor, but it is FAR less than what you’d find in a bottled teriyaki sauce or at a restaurant.
- Rice Vinegar. A staple in any stir-fry sauce. This provides the acid that balances the teriyaki sauce’s sweetness.
- Fresh Garlic. For a little zip!
- Fresh Ginger. Brings the teriyaki sauce to life. I personally LOVE ginger (I submit this Soy Ginger Salmon as evidence) so I was generous with it in the recipe. If you would like a more mild ginger flavor, feel free to adjust the amount to suit your tastes.
- Cornstarch. To thicken the teriyaki chicken marinade into a thick, glossy sauce that coats every forkful.
The Directions
- Place the chicken in the Instant Pot. You can use chicken breasts, go for Instant Pot teriyaki chicken thighs, or even use frozen chicken.
- Stir the sauce ingredients together. Easy peasy.
- Pour over the chicken, seal, and cook! The amount of time will vary based on if you used breasts or thighs, as well as if your chicken is fresh or frozen.
- Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks. At this point, it will be fall-apart tender.
- Switch the Instant Pot to sauté, then add the cornstarch slurry. Let it bubble and thicken into a glorious, hopelessly addictive teriyaki sauce.
- Stir the chicken back into the sauce, and serve!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, with a splash of water or chicken broth, if needed, to thin the sauce to the desired consistency.
- To Freeze. Instant Pot teriyaki chicken may be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
How to Serve Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
I love how versatile this simple recipe is. Use it as a base to pair with an array of tasty sides such as:
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Rice. Use brown rice for a higher fiber and protein content or jasmine rice for classic taste and flavor. You can make the rice in advance in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop while the teriyaki chicken cooks.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Noodles. While rice is more traditional, I also love this recipe with cooked ramen-style noodles, soba noodles, or even Vegetable Lo Mein.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli. Teriyaki and broccoli are a match made in heaven. Try this Roasted Frozen Broccoli, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Grilled Broccoli.
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Vegetables. Choose from Roasted Asparagus, steamed pea pods, sautéed peppers and onions, or any of your favorite Oven Roasted Vegetables.
- For a lower-carb option, you could also opt for cauliflower rice or broccoli rice.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Instant Pot. This is my favorite Instant Pot that’s been my kitchen companion for many years.
- Whisk. For whipping up the yummy homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Cutting Board. This oversized butch block is perfect for shredding the chicken.
Making this Instant Pot teriyaki chicken recipe, I can’t help but smile at the thought of high school Erin sitting down to a bowl.
I’m confident she’d approve, now adult-Erin certainly approves too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! Depending on the size of your Instant Pot you should be able to easily double this recipe without any problems. No adjustments to the cooking time is required. Just make sure you don’t fill your Instant Pot above the max fill line.
I have not tried this recipe using pork before so it would be an experiment. The cook time would likely need to be adjusted depending on the cut of pork chosen (this Instant Pot Pulled Pork could be a good starting point). If you decide to give it a whirl, I would love to hear about your results!
If you’d like to make teriyaki chicken with vegetables in a pressure cooker, I would suggest adding the vegetables right after you whisk in the cornstarch slurry and letting them simmer in the sauce while it thickens for a few minutes. I hesitate to suggest adding them with the chicken as it cooks because I fear the vegetables would easily overcook and become mushy.
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 3 medium breasts (see blog post above for tips on using chicken thighs or frozen chicken)
- ⅔ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
- ⅓ cup water
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch stirred together with 1/4 cup water to create a slurry
For serving:
- green onions thinly sliced (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooked brown rice, quinoa, noodles, cauliflower rice, or vegetables (for serving)
Instructions
- Lightly coat the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot with nonstick spray. Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Pour over the chicken.
- Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH (manual) pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then immediately vent to release the remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid. Turn the Instant Pot OFF. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Once you can safely handle it, shred the chicken with two forks or cut it into bite-size pieces.
- Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE. Once the liquid begins to simmer, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue whisking to ensure the sauce is smooth and does not have any lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Turn the Instant Pot OFF. Add the chicken back to the pot and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve hot with prepared rice and a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds.
Video
Notes
- FROZEN CHICKEN: My general guidelines for using frozen chicken in the Instant Pot can be found in this simple guide for cooking Instant Pot Chicken!
- TO STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
- TO FREEZE: Instant Pot teriyaki chicken may be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, with a splash of water or chicken broth, if needed, to thin the sauce to the desired consistency.
Nutrition
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Teriyaki isn’t just for chicken. Try one of these other Asian recipes featuring this delectable sauce.
I love this, I don’t have an instant pot but I am guessing if i make the sauce a head of time I could make this in my slow cooker? I love making sauces from scratch, and this teriyaki sauce is going on the list to try. I make a homemade sweet chili sauce and could never go back to store bought especially knowing all the extra weird ingredients that are on the label, don’t need to be there. Oh, and I loved the post about how you are developing recipes for you cookbook, just didn’t get a chance to comment. Thanks for what I am sure will be a winner.
Hi Courtney! I actually have a crock pot recipe that this one is based on, so you can check that out if you’d like! https://www.wellplated.com/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken/
With the various recipes calling for rice vinegar do you think I could substitute apple cider vinegar Without changing the flavor too much?
Kibby, I am afraid rice vinegar is totally unique and has a unique flavor. It especially shines in Asian dishes. It’s not too expensive and available at most grocery stores, so I definitely recommend it here.
Quick question! Is step 3 of this assuming frozen chicken (thighs or breasts)?
Hi Deniz, the recipe assumes thawed chicken. If you’re starting with frozen, you can scroll up in the blog post for my tips on that!
Made this dish last night in my Instapot and my husband really liked it. I also like that this is quick and easy to prepare!
Hooray! I’m glad you both enjoyed it, Joann. Thanks for taking the time to leave this review!
This was great but pay attention to the recipe and DO use the LOW SODIUM soy sauce. I usually ignore low sodium and use the regular kind. Mine turned out really good, but you could tell how much better it would have been it was less salty.
I would also recommend stir frying some water chestnuts, celery and whatever else (maybe cashews) in sesame oil and adding them to sauce after the chicken is done.
Haley, thank you for chiming in and sharing this (yes, low sodium soy sauce makes it much much easier to control the amount of saltiness), and your additions sound so yummy too!
Thanks so much for this DELICIOUSNESS! I made it last night with some friends, and everyone LOVED it! Thank you for this savory, healthy, quick dinner!
Whooo hooo! So happy to hear this Erin, thank you!
Made this tonight, i thought it turned out really well and the Mrs gave it high praise also. I stir fried some red and yellow onion along with a sweet red pepper in the IP before cooking the chicken. These were added back along with the chicken at stage 5. It Involved a little bit extra time, however kept the washing up to a minimum, happy days. Lots left for lunch tomorrow. Thanks again.
Roddy
I’m happy to hear it was a winner, Roddy! Thank you for taking the time to share this review!
So excited to have discovered your website! I’m allergic to garlic and ginger. How do you think the sauce would be without those ingredients? Can you think of something else I could add? I would love to be able to have a teriyaki sauce I can actually eat!
Hi Anne! The two add a lot of flavor to the recipe, so unfortunately I’d be hesitant to go forward without them. You could check out some of the other stir fry recipes on my site (https://www.wellplated.com/category/recipes-by-type/stir-fries/) to see if there are some that might work better with your needs. I’m sorry to have to say that, but I’d hate for you to make this and not love the flavor.
This recipe is absolutely perfect. Everyone with an instant pot should try it! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Angie! Thanks for taking the time to share this review!
I’ve made this wonderful recipe many times with chicken theighs. My question is : Can you double the recipe in a 6 qt. instant pot?
?
Hello! I don’t remember exactly how full the IP was, I’m afraid, but I think that there should be room to double! If in doubt, you can always do 1.5 times.
This is delicious! I’m going to add this into my meal rotation.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Stacie! Thanks for taking the time to leave this review!
I just got my instant pot and this was the first recipe I prepared, now its a family staple for those busy evenings when you need a second self between sports pick up and dinner.
Thank you for this delicious recipe and making it soo quick and easy
I’m so glad to hear it’s a new favorite, Silke! Thanks for taking the time to share this review.
Does the nutritional info include the rice or is this without the rice?
Hi Jennifer! It is without the rice. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I made this last night, but only had regular soya sauce. it was very salty but I can tell the flavour base is right. Next time will use low sodium! thanks
Lucia, thanks for sharing this review! It should turn out perfectly with the low-sodium sauce.
Can you cut the chicken into strips prior to cooking? Do you need to adjust the cooking time?
Hi April! You could experiment with cutting the chicken first, but that would drastically reduce the cook time. I can only vouch for the recipe as written, and keeping the chicken in whole pieces lessens the chance it will overcook. But if you decide to experiment, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Made this last night and it was a hit. Just wanted to say thanks for all the delicious recipes! They are always a success and now in my regular rotation of meals.
Jessica, I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for sharing this review. :)
Thanks for recipe. I just got an instant pot. . First time I was able to thicken a sauce with corn starch. But it was not sweet enough for our tastes. If I add more sugar and honey do I need to add anything else? Or less soy sauce ?
Hi Courtney, you could certainly add more honey to taste. I have not tried it myself, but it may need a little extra salt from the soy sauce, but you can taste it after you add more honey before you decide. I hope you enjoy!
Super yummy and easy to make. Family loved it!
Thanks for sharing this review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve made this recipe several times. It is out of this world delicious! I’ve used both chicken breast and chicken thighs. I just recently acquired a taste for chicken thighs. I never used to eat them. Just a texture thing for me. In the IP, the thighs are the way to go. I haven’t found a way to cook breasts in in IP yet without them being so dry. Any tips would be helpful. This dish is fabulous with cauliflower rice and some stir fried veggies. I just throw the veggies into the decadent sauce for a few minutes before serving or drizzle it over the veggies. This is by far the best tasting sauce of any site that I follow. BTW, your IP beef with broccoli recipe is another favorite. Thanks for always sharing your recipes. I love following your blog.
Hi Diane, have you seen this post about cooking chicken in the Instant Pot? That’s my best advice as far as timing goes. https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-chicken/
Thanks for another great recipe that’s just as delicious as it is quick and easy. I’ve been wanting to try this since I first spotted it, and I finally made it tonight. My husband and I both loved it. It’s eons better than any other chicken teriyaki recipe I’ve ever tried. I’ll definitely be making this again!
Nena, I’m glad it was a success! Thanks for taking the time to share this review.
Hello,
I have an 8 quart I stand pot instead of the 6 quart. Do I need to do anything differently?
Hi Katie! Nope! You can follow the recipe just as it is :)
Sorry! Autocorrect. It should say I have an 8 quart instant pot instead of the 6 quart version. Do I need to do anything differently to avoid a burn notice?
Is there a way to add the veggies to the pot to make a one pot meal?
Hi Andrea, I didn’t include the veggies because I fear they’d get too soft and mushy if cooked in the IP that long. You are welcome to experiment if the texture isn’t a concern for you.
I made this today…used regularly soy sauce just added a tad more water to dilute. I left out the ginger and added red pepper flakes. I steamed some shredded carrots, onion and zucchini from the garden in a lil soy, water and seasonings for a topping. It was very good.
Thank you for sharing, Jennifer! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
I read your blog above & your simple guide to cooking Instant Pot Chicken, but I cannot figure out how to adjust the Instant Pot cooking time for skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Can you please help?
Hi Lin! I cover boneless, skinless chicken thighs in my Instant Pot Chicken guide. I do 6 minutes, venting immediately to release any remaining pressure. (This is based on 3-ounce boneless chicken thighs.)
Really great recipe! Had this for dinner tonight and the whole family loved it. I have made homemade teriyaki before but the traditional Japanese recipe calls for sake and mirin. My dad is a recovering alcoholic and avoids foods cooked with alcohol so I was really relieved to find this version! It was delicious and we’ll definitely make it again. Thank you!
Hi Kayla! I’m so happy to hear this was a hit for your family! Thank you for sharing!
Is the calorie count with or without the rice? Thanks!
Hi Sam! Since rice is optional, the calorie count does not include the it. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try!
Do you have suggestions for substituting pork instead of chicken? Will the cook time be different?
Hi Allie! Thanks for your question! I have not tried this recipe with pork, so I don’t have any guidance to offer. However, I would suspect that the pork may require different cooking times. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try!
So, i wanted some Chinese food for dinner tonight and i wanted to use my Instant Pot. This is the first recipe that came up when i searched, and i was not disappointed. It came out so good!! I used chicken thighs (5 i have a lot of hungry mouths) and on the stove i sauted some mushrooms, minced garlic, and a vegetable medley in olive oil. I mixed everything together when it was done, served over white rice with some hot oil drizzled on top….and enjoyed every bite. This will be a regular for dinner.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this kind review, Maria! I’m happy to hear this recipe was a hit!
Hi Erin,
I would like to make this tonight for dinner. I’m still a bit of a novice with my IP and this will be my first chicken recipe (gulp!) My question for you is this: I read your post about cooking chicken in the IP, and in that post, you instruct to use the trivet to cook chicken and pour water in the bottom of the pot. Do I do that with this recipe? Or do I place the chicken directly into the pot? Also, I have an 8-qt pot and the first few times I used it I kept getting the burn message. I am smarter now and know that I need a certain amount of liquid to bring it to pressure and I know most recipes are written for a 6 qt pot. Do I need to add more of the sauce ingredients to the pot to get it to pressure? And finally, I plan on using fresh boneless thighs. Per your IP Chicken article I think I do a quick release and not a manual for 5, then quick. Sorry for all of the questions! I just want to ensure success. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Hi Angela! I’m more than happy to answer your questions! For using thighs in this recipe, I do 6 minutes, venting immediately to release any remaining pressure (This is based on 3-ounce boneless chicken thighs). Even with your 8qt pot, you can follow this recipe just as it is written. Place the chicken directly into the Instant Pot, stir the sauce ingredients together and pour over the chicken. Then, seal and cook as directed. Next, you’ll remove the cooked chicken and shred it. Switch the Instant Pot to sauté, then add the cornstarch slurry. Let it bubble and then add the chicken back in. I hope this helps, and I hope you love the recipe!
Oh my gosh girl, amazing!!! My husband and I devoured it and we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!! Thanks for all of your help! Can’t wait to try more of your IP recipes! What did we ever do before this amazing device?! XO!
This MADE my day, Angela! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your success with this recipe!
This recipe is amazing. I made it with chicken thighs and used toasted sesame oil instead of cooking spray. If you cook it for 13 minutes like I did you won’t even have to remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with a fork. I simply stirred it with a spoon as I added the cornstarch mix and it shredded on its own because it was so tender.
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Sue! I’m so happy this recipe turned out well for you!
We made it. It was great! Thanks for the recipe!
YAY! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit, Bob! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
Can you double this recipe?
Hi Katie! You’re more than welcome to double this recipe, if you would like. Just make sure you don’t fill your Instant Pot above the max fill line. I hope you love the recipe!
Just tried this tonight – so quick and easy for a weeknight meal. Delicious! Added some broccoli in my rice bowl — can’t wait for the leftovers!
Thank you for this kind comment, Jill! I’m so happy you loved the recipe!
I don’t eat meat so didn’t try it myself but this was a BIG hit with my husband & son. Younger son thought it was a little “spicy” because of the ginger but he still ate it all. Everyone commented how moist the chicken was and that the sauce was really tasty. Very easy to cook – this one will definitely be added to my go-to rotation :)
I’m so happy to hear that this was a hit for your family, Talie! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
I made this tonight and it was amazing, super easy to make and super good
I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Cody! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
This was my second recipe in my new Instant Pot and wow! This turned out sooo good! I used chicken thighs and ground ginger since I didn’t have fresh and the chicken was so tender. Probably one of the best dinners I have made and maybe the best teriyaki meals I have ever had! I used brown rice, and sauteed red bell pepper, broccoli, julienned carrots and edamame. So so good!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Nikki! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Made this tonight and my 12 year old daughter loved it. Didn’t have honey but it still turned out great.
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Sarah! I’m so happy to hear that it was a hit!
I don’t have rice wine vinegar and I read in the comments not to sub with apple cider vinegar. Can I just omit it? Trying not to go to the store and would still love to make this meal tonight since I have everything else, except ginger which I don’t like. Just need a sub for the rice wine vinegar or if it would mess up the recipe if I omit it?!
Hi Christina! While I haven’t tried any swaps, you could experiment with the apple cider vinegar or regular vinegar, but I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
We loved this in our instant pot. The only honey I had in the cupboard was “Mike’s” Hot Honey. Made with New York Wildflower Honey and infused with Chiles. I measured the same amount the recipe called for and it put a very subtle “kick” in the dish. It was awesome. I am always all over the internet looking for recipes that have some real flavor and your site is one of the few that do as I have tried endless. Don’t stop cooking in your home kitchen for us!!!
Bunnie, this totally makes my day. THANK YOU for your kind words and for this lovely review!
I just tried this recipe in my 8qt instant pot and received the burn notice ? any suggestions?
Hi Maura! I’m not sure what might’ve gone wrong without being in the kitchen with you. It’s possible that some pieces of food may have been stuck to the bottom. I hope you were still able to enjoy the recipe!
Can you substitute maple syrup for the honey? (Maple syrup is low FODMAP). Thanks.
June
Yes, definitely June!
Huge hit around here. Thanks so much. I followed the instructions exactly and had great success. Super delicious to pour the extra sauce over steamed broccoli.
I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit, Daniel! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
This recipe, along with many of your recipes, is a favorite with my family! The low-sodium soy sauce is key – I’m a salt lover and subbed with normal soy sauce once and won’t do that again. Chicken breast always has a tendency to dry out in an instant pot/crock pot, but the yummy teriyaki sauce totally makes up for any dryness whenever we use breasts. I would highly recommend using boneless/skinless chicken thighs with this recipe, the result is so juicy and delicious.
I’m so happy to hear that this recipe has been a hit, Allie! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
I’m an instant pot newbe. Still learning , so I decided to make this recipe last night. It looked easy for me to make, and it was. I was very pleased with the finished meal. It was delish.
Just have 1 question, if you don’t have fresh ginger how much would you use instead with ground ginger?
Hi Nina! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit for you! From what I can find online, it sounds like you could substitute about 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger for every 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. I hope this helps!
Hi, I’d really like to make this using a whole chicken. Do you have a recipe modification to do that?
Tammy, I am afraid I do not! Just the boneless, skinless kind. I’m sorry I can’t help you more, but I haven’t experimented with a whole chicken in the IP yet. If you find a recipe that works well for you, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Easy to make! I added peas to get our veggies in. Would definitely make again (SO easy to shred the chicken after cooking in the instant pot!!!)
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Sue! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
Hi Erin, I made this for dinner tonight and my family loved it, but I have a question for you. I made the dish earlier in the day, refrigerated it and reheated it at dinnertime. When I took it out of the refrigerator, the sauce had congealed (which didn’t surprise me), but even when completely reheated and piping hot, the sauce was far more gelatinous than it had been when I took it out of the Instant Pot. I’m guessing it might have something to do with the cornstarch, but I was surprised — usually the other sauces in similar dishes I’ve made return to their original state when I reheat them. Everyone thought it tasted great, but I’m just a little confused and very curious. It wasn’t that the sauce was too thick, it’s just that the consistency had changed so much. Do you have the same experience when you reheat it (and that’s assuming you have leftovers!)? Or is it just me?? Thank you so much — I just recently found your website and have been making my way through your recipes and they have all been hits — I’m just a self-taught cook always trying to figure out the “why” when something doesn’t turn out the way I’ve expected.
Hi Cari, I’m SO happy that this recipe was a hit for your family! Thank you for sharing this kind review! I agree that it sounds like the cornstarch caused the sauce to congeal. Next time, you could try adding a splash of water into the leftovers, stirring it, and then reheating them. This should help thin the sauce back out after it’s been in the refrigerator. I hope this helps!
I’ll definitely try adding a little water next time I reheat it — thank you so much!
When you say cook do you mean slow cook or pressure cook?
Hi Dvora! For this recipe, you will cook on both HIGH (manual) pressure and saute mode in your Instant Pot. I hope this helps!
Delicious! Closest thing to take-out that I’ve ever made. One suggestion: use half cup water and half cup low sodium soy sauce to make a less salty dish. Otherwise… SO good.
I’m so happy to hear that this was a hit, Katie! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review and your tip!
My husband pulled a package of chicken thighs out of the freezer and asked for stir fry late this afternoon. This recipe was the perfect solution! I sauteed some sliced onion and sweet bell peppers separately as well as microwaved a steamer bag of broccoli to stir in at the end. There was plenty of yummy sauce, and my 4- and 1-year olds ate all of it faster than they could have gobbled up a pig-in-a-blanket! (Which is really saying something!)
I love to cook but have to force myself to make quicker, simpler dinners for the well-being/sanity of my household. I do not at all begrudge the idea of eating this with regularity! And I will definitely keep a closer eye on your site, Erin. Thanks for the win!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Valerie! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi Erin,
If I’m using frozen chicken breasts, do I still add the water from your other article about how to cook frozen breasts and the trivet, and then cover them with the sauce from this recipe? And then do I use the cook time for frozen breasts from your other article?
Thanks!
Hi Leslie! You can add the chicken directly to the Instant Pot and just top it with the sauce as this recipe directs, but you will want to use the cook time (for frozen chicken breasts) from the Instant Pot chicken post. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Love that I didn’t need to cut the chicken while raw and no babysitting it on the stove top!
I love that about it too Elle!
Thanks for this recipe! Made this tonight using frozen chicken breast instead of going out to eat. My whole family loved it — everyone went back for seconds. My daughter said it was “exquisite” and my son licked the sauce off his plate. Hubby agreed that this recipe is a keeper!
I’m so happy that it was a hit, Dianna! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Excellent recipe! I made exactly as written (well, maybe I snuck in some extra ginger…), and served over brown rice. I thought it was a tad too sweet on Day 1, but just ate some leftovers Day 2 and it was fine. I plan to experiment with less sugar next batch. I used thawed chicken thighs (from Costco) and only cooked for 5 minutes, but they still overcooked a little (~ 190 F temp). Thankfully thighs are more forgiving than breasts and it was still tender.
Both husband and neighbor gave it a big YUM!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Teresa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Big hit in our house. Super easy and yummy!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Lisa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Making this tonight! If I’m using frozen chicken breast, I cook it for 12 minutes… But do I still do the five minute natural release?
Yes, you’ll still do the release. I hope you enjoyed the recipe, Caitlin!
Delicious! Most teriyaki recipes are sickly sweet, so I was thrilled that this one was so balanced! I made it for family, but I was so glad to have the leftovers tonight. As you noted, the sauce gelatinized a bit once it was cooled and stored, but fear not folks: heat it back up and it’s perfect again. Thanks for another keeper!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Hilary! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It was awesome. I steamed some broccoli & added it with the chicken after shredded.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Molly! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
HIGHLY recommend this recipe! It was a really easy recipe to follow and dish came out perfectly. I know some people mentioned it was too sweet or too salty, but for my husband and I we thought it was the perfect balance. I used low sodium soy sauce so I’m not sure if that played a part in it not being too salt. We did add a small amount of sriracha when we plated it just to add a kick, but that was out of personal preference.
I also had the leftovers for lunch and thought it heated up perfectly!
We will definitely be making this recipe on a regular basis!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Jeanine! Thank you for sharing this wonderful review!
SO YUMMY! Will be making again for sure!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Veronika! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I enjoyed this recipe but next time I make it, I would probably put half the amount of ginger. It kind of overpowered the dish.
Thanks for trying the recipe, Danielle! I hope you enjoy it even more next time!
Can I use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce? If so, do you recommend any adjustments to amounts of the sauce or any other ingredients? Thanks!
Hi Erika! I haven’t tried the recipe with coconut aminos, but I think it would work fine as a direct swap. I hope you enjoy it!
I’m thinking about making this recipe, but just want to know if the nutrition information includes rice or not. I track my macros so just want to be prepared!
Thank you!
Hi Danielle! The nutrition estimate does not include any rice. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I would say this is a decent meal. I’ve tried others and they work just as well but tried this one specifically due to it primarily calling for the use of chicken breasts as they are cheaper than chicken thighs. Going forward I will go back to using thighs as they are more tender and have more fat vs. breast meat. Just gives better flavor in my books.
Hi Mike! Thanks for the feedback!
Excellent recipe! Perfect blend of flavor!
Hi Jeanine! So glad you enjoyed the chicken! Thank you for this kind review!
Can you use frozen chicken breasts?
Hi Dottie! Yes you can. There is a section right above the recipe card called “Using Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot” and helps explain how to cook it. Hope this helps!
This was really wonderful. I see now why low sodium soy was recommended. I used Braggs Aminos because I have celiac and BOY was the sauce salty. I made some pineapple fried rice to go with this chicken and it was a fabulous meal. I used breasts and cut them in half into cutlets because they were so thick. After taking them out of the intant pot I sautéd them for a few minutes on each side in a bit of oil before adding them back into the sauce. Will make this again if I can find low sodium GF soy sauce.
Hi Dawn! So glad you enjoyed the chicken recipe! Thank you for this kind review! I believe Kikkoman has a low sodium GF soy sauce! Hope this helps!
This recipe is now one of my favorites! Easy, quick to fix, healthy, and everyone in my family loves it! Put leftovers on Hawaiian rolls for a great slider.
Hi Carolyn! So glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for this kind review!
Just made this last night and the family loved it! It really tasted just like the restaurant version and it was super easy to make!
hi Christina! So glad you enjoyed the chicken! Thank you for this kind review!
Can I use chicken tenderloin instead of breast? Will it impact the cook time?
Hi Katrina! I’ve only tested this recipe as written, but you could probably use the tenderloins. It would impact the amount of time slightly. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Erin, I make so many of your recipes but this is one of our favorites! I recently started making it for my parents who are elderly and have major health issues. Eating has become a challenge and is not very enjoyable for them anymore. My Dad LOVES this recipe. I make it with thighs so it’s easier for him to eat (Seniors lose saliva as they age so dry meats and dishes are not very tasty any more.) He asks for it all the time. I fry sliced mushrooms in a skillet and serve them on the side with brown rice/quinoa. Sometimes I add broccoli. Mom and Dad just love it and ask for it all the time. I know you lost your Dad far too young so I think of the joy this recipe is bringing to mine, and the happiness I feel when I make him something he likes. Thank you!!
Hi Donna! This makes me so happy to hear! THANK YOU!
Have a question about the frozen breasts: do you cook them 12 min before or during the Instant Teriyaki Chicken and add more time?
Thank you!
I would also like to know the answer to Leanne’s question please. 😊
Hi Dee! You’ll be adding more time based on the size of the frozen chicken breast while you are cooking the recipe. Hope this helps!
Sorry I missed this Leanne! You’ll be adding more time while you are cooking it based on size of the frozen breast. Hope this helps!
I have made this recipe twice substituting ground ginger the first time but using fresh ginger the second time. The 2nd batch is what has made this a keeper in my meal rotation! I also cut the chicken breasts in 3 pieces the second time before adding them to the pot. DELICIOUS!
I served it over brown basmati rice and steamed broccoli florets topped with the toasted sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions.
I haven’t used my instant pot very much since I received it 3 years ago but this recipe has become one of my favorite reasons to wipe off the cobwebs!
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Victoria! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Very good! Made this as directed. Using 2.3 pounds of boneless chicken thighs, 2/3 cup of roasted cashews, a pound of rice noodles (soak for 20 mins. In room temp. water, stir fry for 2 minutes then add the sauce and cut up chicken. I also added 1 cup of water before serving as it was a bit thick. The link on this page was the key for getting the chicken just right — 6 minutes in the instant pot, waited 2-3 minutes for natural release, then full release.
Hi Paul! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I will make this recipe this week! I was under the assumption that thighs need to cook longer than breasts. The recipe calls for 10 minutes for breasts or 6 for thighs.
I love all of your recipes. I bought your book and love it!
Hope you enjoy it Betsy!
Delicious meal! Easy to convert to a gluten free sauce.
Hi Angela! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Do you need to add extra water with the chicken to make the instant pot work correctly?
Hi Samantha! With the amount of soy sauce and water you should have plenty of liquid. It has always worked properly for me with the recipe as is. Enjoy!
Even with low sodium soy, too salty. And ginger overpowering.
I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your taste, Lisa. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it. I (and many other readers) have enjoyed it, so I really wish they would’ve been a hit for you too!
This recipe is easy and take no time to make. I made the mistake of adding cornstarch to soy sauce mixture before cooking chicken, so I got an error on instant pot “burnt food”, so we cancelled cooking process and added around 1/4 cup chicken broth and then turned on instant pot to continue cooking. It came out delicious. Served with brown rice with quinoa and stir fry vegetables.
Hi Josette! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I finally got this to come out right. It tasted a little burned the first few times I madr it. This time around, I used fresh ginger instead of a frozen ginger cube. Also, I used slightly more water and slightly less brown sugar and honey. I use about half the cornstarch.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Baxter! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
How long to cook breast to remain tender?
Hi Melba, you’ll find the full recipe instructions in the recipe card. There is a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page to help you navigate there easier. Hope this helps!
Can you make this in a crock pot??
Yes! Here is our crockpot version: https://www.wellplated.com/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken/ Enjoy!
Good and easy but way too heavy on the ginger. If you’re using fresh grated, only put in a teaspoon!
Thanks for the feedback, Tshaw!
Made this recipe last night. I switched out breasts for thighs, used 2/3 of the brown sugar and honey, added a teaspoon of sesame oil. It was delicious and we will be adding this into our meal rotation
So great to hear! Thank you Dmitri!
Trying for tonight
For my mother .. thank you you are an angel.
I would make this recipe again. I am a new instant pot user, and my husband really liked it!
So great to hear, thank you Becky!
This is, hands down, my favourite teriyaki chicken recipe I’ve ever made! It came together so easy and is 5 year old approved, too. I did make a few swaps, for anyone interested (using all the same measurements): coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, 1-1 gluten free flour instead of cornstarch, and maple syrup instead of honey. (These swaps were all made based on what I had/didn’t have.) This will go into our meal rotation for sure!
So glad to hear, Kayla! Thank you!