Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
The Spicy Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs dish is one that speaks to my heart. Juicy chicken thighs, bursting with a sweet and spicy teriyaki sauce, come together effortlessly in just under an hour. There’s something undeniably satisfying about pulling a perfectly cooked meal out of the Instant Pot, isn’t there? It bursts with flavor that you simply can’t get from store-bought versions. Plus, the sauce clings to the chicken in a way that makes every bite feel like a little celebration.
When I first discovered this recipe, I was on a quest for something quick yet packed full of flavor. You know those evenings when you want that umami-rich taste but don’t have the luxury of spending hours in the kitchen? That’s where this recipe shines! The balance of savory soy sauce, sweetness from the brown sugar, and heat from the sriracha creates a tantalizing experience that’s hard to resist. So, gather your ingredients, and let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in about 44 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors will have everyone coming back for seconds.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The deep, glossy sauce turns this dish into a visual treat!
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy it over rice, in a wrap, or even in tacos for a fun twist.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable if you need gluten-free options!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 medium chicken thighs: Skinless works best for a juicy texture. Bone-in adds even more flavor; you can also use boneless for quicker cooking.
- 1 small onion: Adds sweetness and depth to your dish. Yellow onions are perfectly suited for this.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: Keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. Use homemade or low-sodium for health-conscious options.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce: Offers that rich, salty flavor we all crave. Look for low-sodium soy sauce to cut back on salt if desired.
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced: Fresh garlic brings a punch of flavor that elevates this dish. Adjust to your taste!
- 4 tbsp brown sugar: Gives excellent sweetness to balance out the spices. Feel free to use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index option.
- 3 tbsp sriracha: The spicy element of your teriyaki that you can adjust to your heat tolerance. Add more if you like it fiery!
- 5 tbsp cornstarch: This will be used to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency at the end.
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce: Adds a rich, sweet element with a hint of umami—a must-have in any teriyaki dish.
How to Make Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Prepare the Chicken: Remove the skin from the chicken thighs if not using skinless. Rinse them thoroughly, then pat dry with paper towels.
Sauté the Chicken: Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté function on low. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil and place the chicken thighs in the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, just until the outside is lightly browned. This step enhances the flavor.
Deglaze the Pot: After removing the chicken, pour in a bit of chicken broth to deglaze the pot. Be sure to scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to pick up any delicious brown bits stuck to the surface.
Return the Chicken and Add Onion: Place the sautéed chicken back into the pot and add your diced onion. The onion will soften beautifully during cooking and infuse its sweetness into the chicken.
Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining chicken broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, sriracha, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. This mixture is where the magic happens!
Pour Over Chicken: Gently pour the sauce over the chicken and onions in the Instant Pot, ensuring everything is well-coated.
Seal and Cook: Place the lid on the Instant Pot, close the steam valve, and set it to manual pressure cooking on high for 14 minutes. This step ensures the chicken is cooked to perfection and absorbs all those flavors.
Release the Pressure: Once the timer goes off, slowly move the steam valve to release the steam. Remain cautious as hot steam will escape! Carefully lift the lid once the pressure has been released.
Thicken the Sauce: Remove the chicken thighs and set them aside. Switch your Instant Pot back to the sauté function. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 4 tablespoons of cornstarch with a bit of the hot liquid from your pot. Once the liquid is bubbling, pour this mixture in to thicken the sauce for about 2-3 minutes.
Coat the Chicken in Sauce: Turn off the Instant Pot, knowing that your sauce will continue to thicken as it sits. Reintroduce the chicken to the sauce, ensuring it’s well coated.
Serve: Serve your delicious chicken over perfectly steamed rice, drizzling extra spicy teriyaki sauce on top. Garnish with diced chives if you’re feeling fancy!
Storing & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 hours, or refrigerate for around 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in airtight containers for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Be aware that the chicken may lose some of its juiciness, but you can refresh it with an extra drizzle of sauce.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Ensure your chicken thighs are thawed completely for even cooking.
- Be cautious not to over-sauté the chicken; just browning the outside helps maximize flavor without cooking it too much.
- If you find the sauce too thick after it’s cooled, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.
- To elevate flavors even more, consider adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.
From the first bite to the last, your Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs will beckon for attention as a dinner favorite. The flavors balance beautifully, fulfilling cravings for something flavorful yet simple. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spice levels based on your preference and make this dish your own.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Is the sauce too spicy?
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
How do I serve it?
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Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Enjoy the mouthwatering taste of Instant Pot Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Thighs. This dish features tender chicken thighs simmered in a zesty teriyaki sauce made with soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic. Ideal for a quick and flavorful dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 6 medium chicken thighs
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp sriracha
- 5 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Remove skin from chicken thighs.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté on low heat.
- Add a few tablespoons of olive oil and place the chicken thighs inside.
- Cook until the outside of the thighs is browned, then turn off the pot and remove the meat to deglaze with a bit of broth, scraping the bottom to remove any stuck-on bits.
- Return the chicken to the pot, then add diced onion.
- In a bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, using only 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at this point; reserve the remaining 4 tablespoons for later.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and onions in the Instant Pot.
- Seal the lid, close the steam valve, and set to manual, high pressure for 14 minutes.
- After cooking, carefully release the steam by slightly moving the valve and lift the lid.
- Remove the chicken, set the Instant Pot to sauté, and in a bowl, whisk the remaining cornstarch with some hot liquid from the pot. Pour it back into the pot when bubbling.
- Let it bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes, then turn off the pot; the sauce will continue to thicken.
- Return the chicken to the pot to coat it in the thickened sauce.
- Serve over rice, drizzled with more teriyaki sauce and topped with diced chives if desired.
Notes
For less heat, reduce the amount of sriracha in the recipe.
You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs provide more flavor.
Adding sesame seeds on top can enhance the visual appeal and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
