Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice
Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce inside the Instant Pot, served alongside fluffy steamed rice for a quick family meal. This asian fusion-inspired instant pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 3/4 cups water for rice
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add rice and 1 3/4 cups water to the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Step 2: Place a steamer rack over the rice inside the pot.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1/2 cup water.
- Step 4: Place 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs on the steamer rack, then pour the teriyaki sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Step 5: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Step 6: When cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Step 7: Remove chicken and set aside; keep rice warm inside the pot.
- Step 8: Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. In a small bowl, whisk 2 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry.
- Step 9: Stir the teriyaki sauce in the pot, bring to a gentle boil, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 10: Return chicken to the pot briefly to coat with sauce.
- Step 11: Serve chicken and sauce over steamed jasmine rice, garnished with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Rice?
Asian Fusion instant pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.