Looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s bursting with flavor? This Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken using Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce is the perfect solution! It’s a classic dump-and-go meal—just throw your frozen chicken into the Instant Pot, and let it work its magic. Even if you don’t have Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce, I’ve included a simple recipe to make your own. Dinner has never been easier or more delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dump-and-Go Convenience: Everything gets thrown into the Instant Pot, and you’re done!
- Versatile: Serve it over rice, noodles, or veggies for a complete meal.
- Customizable: Use store-bought or homemade soyaki sauce depending on what you have on hand.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Soyaki Sauce
- Tips & Tricks
- H2: Ingredient Substitutions
- Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Storage & Reheating
- Pairings and Related Recipes
- Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Serving Suggestions
- Equipment
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Trader Joe’s Soyaki | Easy Dump Meal
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Ingredients
Soyaki Chicken Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Sauce (or teriyaki sauce)
- 4 tbsp water
- ½ tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp chopped scallions (for garnish)
Homemade Soyaki Sauce (Optional)
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ⅔ cup sugar (or adjust to taste)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced, smashed, or sliced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced, smashed, or sliced
- 1 stalk green onion
- ½ tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Step 1 Add Chicken, Sauce and Water
Add the frozen chicken thighs, soyaki sauce, and water into the Instant Pot.
Step 2 Seal Pressure Cooker
Seal the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to “SEAL,” and press the POULTRY button. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
Step 3 Release Pressure and Remove Chicken
When the cooking is complete, do a quick pressure release and remove the chicken.
Step 4 Reduce the Sauce
Press the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot and let the sauce boil and reduce for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
Step 5 Sauce the Chicken
Return the chicken to the pot, coat it with the sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Soyaki Sauce
Step 1 Combine Ingredients
Combine all soyaki sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Step 2 Blend Ingredients
Pulse until everything is well combined. Use immediately or store for later use.
Tips & Tricks
- Browning the Chicken: You can brown the chicken using the sauté function before pressure cooking to get a deeper flavor .
- Frozen Chicken Cooking: No need to adjust the cook time if you’re using frozen chicken, just ensure you have enough liquid .
- Homemade Soyaki Sauce: If Trader Joe’s isn’t available near you, use the homemade soyaki sauce recipe for a similar flavor profile.
H2: Ingredient Substitutions
- Soy Sauce Alternatives: Swap the soyaki sauce for a homemade version using low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option .
- Sugar Substitutes: If you prefer, you can use maple syrup or honey instead of sugar in the soyaki sauce.
Variations
- Add Vegetables: Add veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas after pressure cooking. Let them simmer in the sauce for a few minutes .
- Cauliflower Rice: For a lower-carb option, serve your teriyaki chicken over cauliflower rice .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, you can use fresh chicken instead of frozen. The cooking time stays the same (15 minutes), but make sure to add an extra ½ cup of water to prevent the sauce from drying out
If you can’t find Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce, you can substitute it with a homemade soyaki sauce (recipe provided in the post) or use a regular teriyaki sauce. If using teriyaki, you might want to add garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds to replicate the flavors
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. Keep the cooking time the same, but note that chicken breasts might cook a bit faster, so be cautious about overcooking them to keep them juicy.
To thicken the sauce, you’ll use the Sauté function on the Instant Pot after pressure cooking. Allow the sauce to boil and reduce for 5-7 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness . You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) to speed up the process.
The sodium content will vary depending on the soy sauce or soyaki sauce used. If you’re using a low-sodium soy sauce, the sodium content will be lower. The estimated sodium per serving for this recipe is 1200 mg, based on standard soy sauce.
Yes, you can double this recipe. Just make sure not to exceed the max fill line of your Instant Pot to avoid issues with pressure buildup. The cooking time remains the same .
Yes, you can freeze leftover Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken. Store it in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave .
Rubbery chicken often results from overcooking or using cuts that are too lean. Chicken thighs are more forgiving in the Instant Pot, while breasts may become rubbery if cooked too long.
For this recipe, the Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce is added before cooking in the Instant Pot, allowing the flavors to infuse into the chicken. You can also add extra sauce after cooking for more flavor.
Chewy chicken can be caused by undercooking or using frozen chicken without adjusting the cook time. Always ensure the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature for tenderness.
To avoid overcooking, use the recommended cook time—15 minutes for frozen chicken—and perform a quick release as soon as the timer finishes. This prevents the chicken from sitting in the hot steam too long, which can make it rubbery or dry. For fresh chicken, reduce the cook time to 12 minutes and follow the same quick release method. Adding an extra ½ cup of water when using fresh chicken ensures it stays moist and tender.
Storage & Reheating
- To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little extra sauce to keep the chicken moist.
Pairings and Related Recipes
- Instant Pot Buffalo Teriyaki Wings – These wings pack the perfect combination of heat and sweetness, making them a great appetizer or side to complement your teriyaki chicken.
- Teriyaki Noodles Recipe – These noodles soak up all the delicious teriyaki flavors and make the perfect side to pair with your chicken. Add veggies for extra crunch.
- Easy Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers – For a heartier addition, the rich flavors of sausage and peppers are an excellent pairing with the sweetness of the teriyaki chicken.
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken – If you love crispy chicken, this air fryer version is a quick and easy option to serve alongside or instead of teriyaki chicken for a delicious meal.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 10g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over rice or noodles: This teriyaki chicken pairs perfectly with white or brown rice, or even soba noodles.
- Add vegetables: Try pairing it with steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, or carrots for a balanced meal.
Equipment
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Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce – 21 oz.
Premium Lite Soy Sauce Low Sodium
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken with Trader Joe’s Soyaki | Easy Dump Meal
Ingredients
Soyaki Chicken Ingredients
- 1 Pound FROZEN Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 4 tbsp Trader Joes Island Soyaki Sauce or Equivalent
- 4 tbsp Water
- 1/2 tsp Sesame Seeds
- 2 tbsp Chopped Scallions
Soyaki Sauce
- 1 Cup Soy Sauce
- 2/3 Cup Sugar (or to taste)
- 1 inch Piece of ginger minced, smashed, or sliced
- 2 to 3 cloves Garlic minced, smashed or sliced
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 1/2 Tbsp. Toasted Sesame Seeds (Optional)
Instructions
Soyaki Chicken Instructions
- THIS IS MADE FROM FROZEN CHICKEN. If you would like to make this from fresh chicken the cook time is the same but you would add an extra 1/2 cup of water.Open Instant pot and put in your FROZEN chicken,soyaki or teriyaki sauce and water. Seal lid on to Instant Pot and turn valve to SEAL. Push POULTRY button and set pressure to HIGH and set TIMER to 15 MINUTES. When cooking is complete do a QUICK PRESSURE RELEASE. Open your Instant Pot and remove chicken. Push CANCEL on your Instant Pot to stop its current process. Then Press SAUTE till the MORE setting is lit up. Wait for sauce to come to boil and then let REDUCE and thicken for about 5 to 7 minutes. When complete press Cancel on the Instant Pot to stop the sauce process. Return chicken to Instant Pot to coat with sauce. When you are ready to serve the chicken put sauce over chicken then sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds and chopped scallions…..Enjoy.
Soyaki Sauce Instructions
- Add All ingredients to blender or food processer and pulse until combined.
