Quick Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Get ready to transform your weeknight dinners with the ultimate easy Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki recipe! This delightful dish combines tender, succulent chicken with vibrant, perfectly cooked broccoli, all bathed in a savory-sweet homemade teriyaki sauce. Best of all, it’s a complete, satisfying meal crafted right in your Instant Pot, making cleanup a breeze and dinner on the table faster than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned pressure cooker pro or new to the world of Instant Pot cooking, this recipe is designed to deliver consistent, mouth-watering results every time.

I believe that every home cook, regardless of experience, deserves to feel confident and empowered in the kitchen. That’s why I pack my recipes with detailed tips and explanations. Understanding the “why” behind each step and the role each ingredient plays can transform your cooking from following instructions to truly mastering dishes. My goal is to equip you with the knowledge to consistently create incredible meals, making this Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki not just a recipe, but a learning experience.

Effortless Weeknight Dining: Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

This Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki isn’t just a meal; it’s a revelation in one-pot cooking. Imagine a flavorful main dish and a perfectly cooked side, all emerging from a single pot! This recipe masterfully combines succulent chicken and tender-crisp broccoli, infused with a rich teriyaki flavor, creating a complete dinner that’s both healthy and incredibly satisfying.

If you’re wondering about the hype surrounding the Instant Pot, its magic lies in its versatility and efficiency. This amazing appliance streamlines cooking by allowing you to sauté ingredients, then pressure cook them quickly, all in the same pot. No more dirtying multiple pans, no more transferring food between stovetop and oven – just a seamless culinary process that locks in flavor and moisture. From searing to steaming, the Instant Pot handles it all, ensuring your chicken is juicy and your broccoli retains its vibrant color and essential nutrients.

My Instant Pot has become an indispensable tool for turning family favorites into quick, effortless dinners. Recipes like my pork tenderloin, comforting steak soup, sweet and tangy sweet and sour chicken, and even a holiday-worthy roasted turkey breast are regular features in my kitchen, all thanks to the convenience of pressure cooking. This teriyaki chicken is no exception, promising minimal cleanup and maximum enjoyment for your entire family.

While traditional teriyaki sauce is typically high in sugar, making it unsuitable for keto diets, I’ve included fantastic tips for a low-carb adaptation using Teriyaki Coconut Aminos. This simple swap allows everyone to enjoy the rich, umami flavors of this dish, regardless of dietary preferences. If you’re a fan of noodle stir-fries, be sure to explore my chicken teriyaki noodle bowls recipe for another delightful variation. As you continue, pay close attention to my recipe notes – they’re packed with essential insights to help you achieve perfect results every single time.

Crafting Your Own Flavor: Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

While many store-bought teriyaki sauces offer convenience, nothing quite compares to the depth of flavor and freshness of a homemade version. Crafting your own teriyaki sauce not only allows you to control the quality of ingredients but also to customize the sweetness and saltiness to your exact preference. This recipe features my absolute favorite easy homemade teriyaki sauce, designed to perfectly complement the tender chicken and broccoli in your Instant Pot meal. It’s incredibly simple to prepare and elevates the entire dish, making it taste like it came from a gourmet kitchen.

This sauce is specifically for the traditional version of the recipe. If you’re aiming for a keto-friendly meal, you’ll want to skip this particular sauce and opt for the low-carb alternative detailed in the next section.

The Best Easy Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Creating this rich, glossy teriyaki sauce is a straightforward process. It’s all about combining the right elements to achieve that signature balance of sweet, salty, and umami.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 5 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons honey
• 1 large clove of garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water (for cornstarch slurry)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar and honey are fully dissolved.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup cold water until a smooth slurry forms and the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This step is crucial; adding cornstarch directly to hot liquid will cause it to clump, resulting in an unevenly thickened sauce.
3. Gradually pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce in the saucepan, stirring continuously.
4. Continue to heat the sauce, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your desired consistency. The sauce will become glossy and coat the back of a spoon.
5. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can easily thin it out by slowly adding small amounts of additional water, stirring well after each addition until it reaches your preferred texture.

Once your homemade teriyaki sauce is perfectly prepared, set it aside. It’s now ready to be incorporated into your Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki, bringing a burst of fresh, authentic flavor to your meal. If you’re looking to explore other Asian-inspired flavors with your pressure cooker, be sure to check out my sweet and sour Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe for a delicious alternative.

Low-Carb Deliciousness: Keto Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

For those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, enjoying the rich flavors of chicken teriyaki might seem challenging due to the high sugar and soy content in traditional sauces. However, adapting this Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki recipe to be keto-friendly is surprisingly easy and incredibly delicious! By making a few simple substitutions, you can transform this family favorite into a guilt-free, low-carb meal without sacrificing any of the savory-sweet goodness.

The key to modifying this recipe for keto approval lies in swapping out the traditional homemade teriyaki sauce, which contains brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch. These ingredients are typically avoided on a keto diet. Fortunately, there are excellent low-carb alternatives available that mimic the flavor and texture of authentic teriyaki.

My preferred keto-friendly swap is Teriyaki Coconut Aminos. Coconut aminos are a fantastic soy-free alternative that offer a similar umami depth to soy sauce, and the teriyaki variety comes pre-seasoned to capture that distinct flavor profile. I recommend a simple 1:1 ratio for swapping coconut aminos for the traditional teriyaki sauce in this recipe.

You can easily find Teriyaki Coconut Aminos online or in the natural foods or health food section of most grocery stores. When selecting your coconut aminos, I personally lean towards the teriyaki-flavored variety and often enhance it further with a little extra fresh garlic and ginger to boost the aromatic notes. Just be sure to read labels to confirm no hidden sugars are present in your chosen brand.

To ensure your dish remains perfectly keto, remember to completely omit brown sugar and honey. For thickening, instead of cornstarch, you’ll use ground flax seeds. Flax seeds not only act as a thickener but also add a beneficial dose of fiber and healthy fats, aligning perfectly with keto principles. With these simple adjustments, you’ll create a satisfyingly rich and flavorful keto chicken teriyaki that everyone will love.

Keto Chicken Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

This low-carb sauce delivers all the classic teriyaki flavor without the added sugars, making it perfect for your keto lifestyle.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup teriyaki coconut aminos (regular or garlic-flavored coconut aminos also work, but teriyaki offers the closest traditional flavor)
• 1 large clove of garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, teriyaki coconut aminos, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
2. Once simmering, gradually add in the ground flax seeds, stirring constantly. Continue to stir for about 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency. Unlike cornstarch, flax meal can often be added directly to the sauce without needing a separate slurry.
3. Continue to heat and stir until the sauce reaches your preferred thickness. If it becomes too thick, simply thin it out by slowly incorporating small amounts of additional water.
4. Before adding the sauce to your chicken, taste and adjust the flavor if needed. You can add a little more coconut aminos for extra savoriness, or a pinch of your preferred keto sweetener for a touch more sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Creating this flavorful and complete Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki meal is straightforward. Follow these steps for tender chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, and a rich teriyaki sauce, all made in one pot!

STEP 1: Sauté the Chicken for Maximum Flavor. Begin by selecting the “SAUTE” function on your Instant Pot. Once the pot indicates it’s hot (it will usually display “Hot” or start counting up), add a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil. Toss in your cubed chicken pieces and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides. This browning step, known as the Maillard reaction, is crucial for developing deep, savory flavors that will elevate your teriyaki.

STEP 2: Deglaze the Pot – Essential for Pressure Cooking. After browning the chicken, add the chicken broth to the pot. Immediately use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot liner. This process is called deglazing, and it’s a critical step in pressure cooking. Failing to thoroughly scrape up these bits can lead to the “BURN” error message, preventing your Instant Pot from coming to pressure correctly. Ensure the bottom of the pot is completely clear before moving on.

STEP 3: Combine Ingredients and Pressure Cook. Once the pot is deglazed, add your prepared teriyaki sauce (either homemade or keto version), broccoli florets, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are well combined and coated in the sauce. Close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the sealing valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select “High Pressure” and set the cook time for 6 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to build pressure before the cooking countdown begins.

STEP 4: Natural Release and Serve. Once the 6-minute cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. This means you do nothing and let the pressure decrease gradually on its own. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure. Always exercise caution when releasing pressure; ensure your face and hands are away from the steam vent to avoid hot steam burns. Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, you can safely open the lid. Turn off and unplug your Instant Pot, then serve your delicious Chicken Teriyaki immediately. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired, and enjoy over your favorite rice or cauliflower rice!

Perfect Pairings: What To Serve With Chicken Teriyaki

While Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki is a complete meal on its own, its versatile flavors pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. The rich, savory-sweet chicken and tender-crisp broccoli create a fantastic base that can be complemented by simple grains, fresh salads, or hearty breads. Here are some of my favorite easy side dishes that are perfect alongside this vibrant teriyaki chicken, enhancing your dining experience:

Of course, the classic choice for teriyaki chicken is rice. If you’re looking to serve your teriyaki over a fluffy bed of white rice or a healthier option like cauliflower rice, the Instant Pot can handle that too, often simultaneously with your main dish!

Cooking Rice Alongside: How To Cook Rice In Instant Pot

One of the many benefits of the Instant Pot is its ability to cook multiple components of a meal at once, using the “pot-in-pot” method. This is perfect for cooking rice alongside your chicken teriyaki, saving you even more time and dishes. To achieve this, you’ll need stacking inserts (typically stainless steel) for your Instant Pot, along with a trivet to elevate them. This method allows you to cook your chicken and broccoli in the main pot, while your rice steams perfectly in an insert above.

If you’re opting for cauliflower rice, the process is even simpler. You can prepare your cauliflower rice in a stackable pan and cook it for the same duration as the chicken and broccoli, making it an excellent low-carb accompaniment.

Instant Pot Rice Side Dish Recipe

Achieving perfectly fluffy rice in your Instant Pot is incredibly simple, especially with the pot-in-pot method.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice (or your preferred type)
• 2 cups water (for the rice)
• Additional 2 cups water (for the Instant Pot to come to pressure)

Instructions:

1. After sautéing your chicken and deglazing the Instant Pot liner (as described in the chicken teriyaki instructions), pour 2 cups of water directly into the main Instant Pot liner. This water is necessary for the Instant Pot to build pressure.
2. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot liner, resting above the 2 cups of water.
3. Carefully add the chicken and broccoli mixture, along with the teriyaki sauce and all other ingredients for the main dish, into one of your stacking inserts. Place this insert on top of the trivet.
4. In a second stackable pot insert, combine 1 cup of rinsed basmati rice with 2 cups of fresh water. Gently place this pot on top of the chicken insert. If your inserts come with lids, place a lid on the rice pot to prevent steam from condensing back into the rice.
5. Close and seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the sealing valve is set correctly. Cook according to the chicken teriyaki recipe instructions (High Pressure for 6 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release).
6. Once cooking is complete and pressure has been fully released, carefully remove the chicken pan from the Instant Pot. Leave the rice pan in the Instant Pot with its lid firmly on (or cover if it doesn’t have a lid). Allow the rice to “carryover cook” for an additional 5-10 minutes. This crucial step allows the residual heat to finish steaming the rice, resulting in perfectly fluffy grains.
7. Once the rice has rested, fluff it with a fork. Garnish both the chicken teriyaki and the rice with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
8. Plate your delicious Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki and rice, and enjoy your complete, one-pot meal!

If you cherish this easy Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki recipe as much as I do, please consider sharing your feedback by leaving a comment below or sharing it with friends and family on your social media. Your support helps other home cooks discover and enjoy these quick and delicious meals!

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5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

By:
Courtney O’Dell

Servings:
6

Prep:

10
mins

Cook:

25
mins

Total:

35
mins

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Easy Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki Recipe – delicious chicken teriyaki with broccoli – a complete dinner in an instant pot! Keto recipe included.

Equipment

• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Wok, 10-Inch, Stay-Cool Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Induction Ready, Compatible with All Cooktops
• Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Teriyaki Sauce (2 Pack) – 10 fl oz
• Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid, 13-in-1 Air Fryer and Pressure Cooker Combo, Sauté, Slow Cook, Bake, Steam, Warm, Roast, Dehydrate, Sous Vide, & Proof, App With Over 800 Recipes, 6.5 Quart, Black

Ingredients

Keto Version (skip for original chicken teriyaki):

• 1 cup Teriyaki coconut aminos
• 1 tsp garlic powder

For the Teriyaki Sauce (see notes for keto swaps):

• 1 cup water
• 5 tablespoons packed brown sugar, skip for keto
• ¼ cup soy sauce*
• 1 –2 tablespoons honey, skip for keto
• 1 large clove of garlic, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch**
• ¼ cup cold water***

For the Chicken Teriyaki:

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cubed into 1″ bites
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 8 oz broccoli crowns
• 2 tsp sesame seeds, to garnish
• ¼ cup minced green onion to garnish

Instructions

For the Teriyaki Sauce:

1. Combine 1 cup water, sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a medium saucepan and heat on medium.
2. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with the cold water and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Don’t skip this step and just dump in cornstarch – it will clump and won’t mix properly.
3. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan.
4. Heat the sauce until it thickens to your desired thickness.
5. Thin out too thick sauce by adding more water to it slowly.
6. When mixed, set aside.

For the Chicken Teriyaki:

1. Heat the Instant Pot in sauté mode.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and brown the chicken, about 3 – 5 minutes per side.
3. Deglaze the pot by adding in chicken broth.
4. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the bits stuck to the bottom of the pan – this step is essential to pressure cooking, the Instant Pot won’t seal if you have burnt bits on the bottom of the pan!
5. Add seasonings, teriyaki sauce, broccoli, and sesame seeds.
6. Stir briefly to combine.
7. Select “High Pressure” for a cook time of 6 minutes.
8. When cook time ends, allow a natural release for 10 minutes.
9. Release pressure and open the lid.
10. Take care to never have your face near the steam vent, and beware hot steam even with the extra time from natural release.
11. Turn off Instant Pot, unplug, and serve over rice or cauliflower rice!

Notes

*swap with teriyaki coconut aminos for keto

**swap with 2 tbsp ground flax seeds for keto

***for keto version, add this water in with sauce at beginning, as flax doesn’t have to mix with water first to thicken like cornstarch does

Nutrition

Serving:
1
g


Calories:
368
kcal


Carbohydrates:
58
g


Protein:
29
g


Fat:
3
g


Saturated Fat:
1
g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g


Cholesterol:
64
mg


Sodium:
2551
mg


Fiber:
1
g


Sugar:
51
g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Chicken

Cuisine:
asian inspired

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