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Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe + Freezer Meal Instructions

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Here is an Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe that is easy to make and tastes better than any restaurant dish.  Savory and sweet all at once, this chicken recipe will be a hit with the whole family.

Chicken breast or chicken thighs are flavored with teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and garlic. Don’t forget to garnish with green onion and sesame seeds! If you love this recipe, try my bbq chicken for another yummy flavor.

This mouth-watering chicken recipe can be served on on plain rice or just on its own. It’s that good! 

Teriyaki chicken also makes a great freezer meal. Meal prepping and making food ahead will save you time during the week. You can freeze this chicken before or after cooking.

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients 

To make this Instant Pot chicken recipe, you will need the following ingredients (see the full recipe below for detailed amounts and instructions):

  • Chicken: breast or thighs (about 2-3 pieces)
  • Teriyaki sauceuse store bought teriyaki sauce for an easy dinner, or make your own
  • Brown sugar: when heated and reduced, the brown sugar will help create a nice glaze
  • Rice wine vinegar: or apple cider vinegar
  • Garlic: I love adding garlic for some extra flavor
  • Water: for cooking in the Instant Pot, you need that moisture!
  • Garnishes: green onion, sesame seeds
  • Cornstarch: this is optional for thickening the sauce

Kitchen Tools Needed

You will need an Instant Pot for this recipe, as well as gallon freezer bags

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken in an Instant Pot

  1. First, you are going to make the teriyaki chicken marinade. Add chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and garlic to freezer bag. Shake the bag until the chicken is coated.
  2. Place contents in an instant pot and pour in ¾ cup water. Cook for 9 minutes at high pressure then allow 10 minutes for natural release.
  3. If you would like to thicken your sauce, take out meat and set aside. Turn instant pot to sauté and whisk in cornstarch until it reaches desired thickness. Turn off sauté mode.
  4. Place chicken back into sauce and stir until coated.
  5. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, optional. Enjoy!
Teriyaki Chicken Recipe in Instant Pot

RECIPE TIPS

If you are in the habit of seasoning your food, wait to add salt until you have tasted the chicken. The teriyaki marinade by itself is very salty, so you may not need to add any salt to this at all.

The Instant Pot Duo is simple and easy to use. This 7-in-1 appliance can pressure cook, slow cooker, steam, sauté & more.

Slow Cooker Instructions

If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can still enjoy this recipe. There are two ways to cook Teriyaki Chicken in a slow cooker or crock pot: 

Cooking frozen: Add contents of bags into slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. Chicken should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Cooking fresh: Add contents of bag into slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. Chicken should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Teriyaki Chicken in Instant Pot

Serving Suggestions

What do you eat with teriyaki chicken? Teriyaki chicken is most commonly eaten over rice and alongside steamed broccoli. Here are some other ideas for what to serve:

  • By itself – this dish is perfectly tasty just by itself and you can enjoy with a fork or chopsticks.
  • Pasta – put an Asian spin on a pasta dish by using soba noodles and teriyaki sauce.
  • Vegetable Fried Rice with Eggs – this classic rice dish pairs perfectly with Teriyaki Chicken.
  • Edamame –  this traditional side dish is just steamed sugar snap peas.

Storage Instructions

You can store chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. 

Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

FAQs

Can I Freeze Cooked Chicken?

You can freeze cooked Teriyaki chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to eat.

Can I Freeze Uncooked Chicken?

If you want to freeze it before cooking, first write the name, date, and instructions below on a resealable freezer safe plastic bag. After the first step above, let out the air and seal bag. Place in freezer until needed or for up to 3 months.

Can I Cook Frozen Chicken?

When you are ready to cook the frozen raw chicken with marinade, you may need to cut the ziploc bag open. To cook the frozen chicken, add frozen contents to the Instant Pot. Add in ¾ cup water. Cook for 12 minutes on Pressure cook and then allow 10 extra minutes for natural release.

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Here is an Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe that is easy to make and tastes better than any restaurant dish.  Savory and sweet all at once, this chicken recipe will be a hit with the whole family.
4.61 from 43 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish Recipes
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4
Calories 301 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken breast 2-3 pieces, chopped into 1-2” cubes
  • ¾ cup teriyaki sauce
  • ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup water
  • green onion optional garnish
  • sesame seeds optional garnish
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch optional for thickening sauce

Instructions
 

  • Add chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and garlic to freezer bag. Shake the bag until the chicken is coated.
  • Place contents in an instant pot and pour in ¾ cup water. Cook for 9 minutes at high pressure then allow 10 minutes for natural release.
  • If you would like to thicken your sauce, take out meat and set aside. Turn instant pot to sauté and whisk in cornstarch until it reaches desired thickness. Turn off sauté mode.
  • Place chicken back into sauce and stir until coated.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, optional. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 27gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 2210mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 34IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg

The nutrition information is calculated using online nutrition calculators and may not be accurate. It is provided as a general guide only.

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Recipe Rating




Jeff Doughtie

Wednesday 31st of January 2024

Tried this tonight and I turned out wonderful !!! Anded peppers and onions to it and yes I had to do the slurry to thicken it up, came out great over a layer of riced cauliflower

Emily Enchanted

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

I love this recipe because it is easy to make and so tasty.

Laurie Arbuco

Thursday 7th of January 2021

SO Good! Whole family loved it! I added broccoli and served it over thin spaghetti. Definitely putting this in our regular line up.

Laurie

Friday 8th of January 2021

Threw this together quickly after a long day and the whole family loved it! Definitely a keeper!

Lindsay

Thursday 3rd of December 2020

This is my family’s new favorite! Kids and husband loved it!!! I doubled the sauce recipe and left out the water, Delicious!!