Teriyaki chicken is a classic dish known for its sweet and savory flavor profile. But who has time for hours of simmering? This recipe shows you how to make incredibly tender and flavorful teriyaki chicken in a fraction of the time using a pressure cooker. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this quick, easy, and incredibly delicious meal!
What is Teriyaki Chicken?
Teriyaki chicken is a Japanese dish featuring chicken marinated in a teriyaki sauce and then grilled, pan-fried, or baked. The sauce is typically made with soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sake (rice wine), sugar, and sometimes ginger and garlic. The result is a beautifully glazed chicken with a balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors.
Why Use a Pressure Cooker for Teriyaki Chicken?
Using a pressure cooker offers several advantages when making teriyaki chicken:
- Speed: Pressure cooking significantly reduces cooking time compared to traditional methods. You'll have juicy, tender chicken in a fraction of the time.
- Tenderness: The pressure cooking process creates incredibly tender chicken, even with boneless, skinless breasts which can often dry out.
- Flavor Infusion: The pressure cooker helps to infuse the chicken with the teriyaki sauce, resulting in a more deeply flavored dish.
- Convenience: Less active cooking time means less monitoring and more time to do other things!
Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake (optional, can substitute with extra mirin or chicken broth)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
- Sesame seeds, green onions, for garnish
Instructions:
- Marinate (Optional but Recommended): In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
- Pressure Cook: Place the marinated chicken and any remaining marinade into your pressure cooker. If you're not using all of the marinade, you can add a splash of chicken broth to ensure the chicken doesn't dry out. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the pressure cooker and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles.
How Long Does Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Take?
The total time for this recipe, including marinating (which is optional but recommended), is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, the actual pressure cooking time is only 8-10 minutes.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken in a Pressure Cooker for Teriyaki Chicken?
While you can use frozen chicken, it will significantly increase the cooking time. It's best to thaw the chicken completely before pressure cooking for optimal results and to ensure even cooking. Add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time if using frozen chicken.
What to Serve with Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken?
This delicious teriyaki chicken pairs perfectly with many sides:
- Steamed rice
- Quinoa
- Noodles (udon, soba, or ramen)
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Roasted vegetables
Tips for the Best Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken:
- Don't overcrowd the pressure cooker: Overcrowding can prevent even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: You can adjust the amount of brown sugar and honey to achieve your preferred level of sweetness.
- Add vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers to the pressure cooker along with the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.
This recipe offers a delicious and convenient way to enjoy teriyaki chicken. The pressure cooker ensures tender, flavorful chicken every time, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Enjoy!
