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Instant Pot Sticky Korean Chicken…the best Monday dinner with the best flavor.
FOR REAL.
Sorry, I don’t mean to shout at you, especially on a Monday, but it’s true what I said up there, this is the best Monday dinner. It’s an under thirty minute meal, super simple, and extra delicious.
Ok, all the dramatics aside, I do truly love this recipe and am very excited to share it with you guys for so many reasons.
I wanted to start the week off with yet another Korean inspired recipe, because you guys…we are just two days away from boarding an airplane and flying off to South Korea. Craziness! It’s still unbelievable to me that we are headed there to watch my brother compete in the Olympics. I know I’ve been talking about this for weeks, but this is for sure the coolest thing to ever happen within my family. I have been following along with my brother Red’s Instagram stories (it is so fun having social media so we can all be a part of his experience). He spent Saturday in Soul, South Korea getting fitted for his Team USA Opening and Closing Ceremony outfit. Yup, just another normal Saturday…
Right, right.
One of my favorite Korean inspired recipes is Bulgogi, which is Korean gilled beef in a sweet and spicy sauce. It’s truly just so good. I have a recipe for Korean Bulgogi BBQ Steak Bowls that you guys all seem to love, but I wanted to create a lighter, simpler chicken version using the Instant Pot (don’t worry, I included slow cooker directions too).
The key to this recipe is all in the sauce, it’s sweet, sticky, and a little bit spicy. It takes normally boring chicken to a whole new level.
Most traditional Bulgogi marinades use pears and a lot of brown sugar, but I wanted to keep this chicken on the healthier side, so I swapped honey for brown sugar and reduced the sweetness a bit by omitting the pear (which I am really not a fan of anyway). The rest of the sauce consists of Gochujang (Korean chili paste) sesame oil, ginger and garlic.
And then? Everything gets mixed and cooked up in the pressure cooker (or slow cooker). It could not be easier.
I like to serve this Korean chicken over a bed of rice with some kimchi vegetables, toasted sesame seeds, and green onions. I also added in some thinly sliced mango…because I am obsessed and I can’t help myself. Mango is for sure not Korean, but it’s delicious. Just go with me on this one.
Here’s the thing, as I said, I’m sure this is not traditional. But that’s kind of the idea of these Korean inspired recipes I’m sharing, they’re only Korean inspired. I can’t wait to see how the recipes I’m sharing now, differ from the real deal Korean food that we will be enjoying in South Korea. My goal is to find some new inspiration while there and be able to come home and share new, more traditional, Korean recipes with you guys.
But until then, you should probably make this chicken, because traditional or not, it’s really stinkin’ good.
Also? I think if there’s one thing I would cook in the Instant Pot, it would be chicken. I’m not going to lie, I have a love/hate relationship with my Instant Pot. I’m still trying to figure certain things out. But if there’s one thing the Instant Pot seems to cook amazingly well, it’s chicken. No matter what, it always turns out tender, moist, and never dry.
That said, this can easily be cooked in the slow cooker or even in the oven.
And with that, I’m off to keep working away in preparation for my week away. Happiest Monday!
PS. I have only ever been out of the country once, and that was to Mexico, so this will be a whole new kind of experience for me. It should be fun…and very interesting, considering no one in my family knows even a little Korean. Ahh, yikes!
Instant Pot Sticky Korean Chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 358 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- steamed white rice, for serving
- 1 cup kimchi
- 1 mango, sliced
- toasted sesame seeds and green onions, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot the soy sauce, honey, Gochujang, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Add the chicken, tossing to coat. Cover and cook on high pressure/manual for 8 minutes. Once done cooking, use the quick release valve and release the steam. If needed to thicken the sauce, set the instant post to sauté and cook 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. If the sauce seems thin, just continue to cook on sauté, checking often until the sauce is your desired consistency.2. To serve, spoon the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice. Toss the kimchi with the mangos and serve alongside the chicken. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine 2 tablespoons water, the soy sauce, honey, Gochujang, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Add the chicken, tossing to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. If the sauce needs thickening, turn the heat to high and cook uncovered for 30 minutes. Finish as directed above.
NOPE….definitely not your average chicken.
This post was originally published on February 5, 2018
Hi Tieghan!
So exited for your brother, you and your family. We are olympic junkies here and watch it 24/7 so can’t wait to watch Red!
This dish looks amazing and I’m seeking new recipes to use in my Instant Pot so this one’s going on the list! Wishing you and your family safe travels!
Thank you Kathy! I hope you love this, let me know!
hey girl- this looks so yummy!
Thank you!
Under 30 minute meals shouldn’t look this delicious!
Haha thank you Matt!
This is my kind of lunch!
Thank you Jennifer!
Love this Korean inspired meal Tieghan! Sounds delicious and looks beautiful. And how exciting for you all! Good luck to Red, and have an awesome time!
Thank you Mary Ann!
Hi! This looks so good, but I’m wondering is it spicy?
Hi! This looks so good, butt I’m wondering is it spicy?
No toverly so, but you can adjust the spice by reducing the chili sauce. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Hey Girly!
I love your blog so much – it’s my go-to when I’m looking for a new recipe to try and you’ve never steered me wrong! I have been hearing all about the Instant Pot and I am on the fence about whether to get one or not, It seems like people either love it or hate it. Would you be willing to do a post about your thoughts? I love the idea of having something that cooks things up faster than a slow cooker, but I’m scared that it will be more trouble than it’s worth . Would love to hear your thoughts!
HI! I am still mixed. I love it for certain recipes, but to be honest I love my crockpot more. It’s a great machine and easy to use, but I have not had much luck with beef recipes. I will gather up some more info and work on a post about the differences and advantages of the instant post virus the crockpot. Love the idea of this post! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Awesome, thanks! My boyfriend is actually Korean-American, so I have loved seeing all the Korean-inspired dishes. Korean food is awesome and more people need to give it a try! Can’t wait to hear about your trip to South Korea and all the delish foods you get to try.
Thank you Erica!
Hi I love your recipes and will be trying this for sure. Can you tell me what recipe printing program you use? I love the layout. Many thanks.
It’s custom made by my web designer. Thank you!! 🙂
Enjoy your South Korea adventure!
For the most part, you will be 100% ok not knowing any Korean while you are there. All signs, menus, transport are all in English and if not, most people speak English and can help you out.
Have a blast and make sure to try Gamjatang and hamuel doenjangjijigae, a couple of my favs.
Ah thank you so much! I am so excited to go and knowing that many people know English makes me feel a lot better!
Hi Tieghan
I know you mentioned this before, but what days and times will Reds competitions be airing?
I want to make sure to watch!
Hi Susan! Red is competing on Feb. 9 at 6pm MST. Then if he makes finals he will be competing on Feb. 10 at 6pm MST. I hope this helps! Thank you!
This looks really good!
Mireia from TGL
https://thegoldlipstick.com/
Thank you!
This looks yummy! I have Gochujang in my fridge, but I don’t have kimchi and have actually never tasted it. I’m glad you put instructions for crockpot too. I don’t understand the whole instant pot thing. I can’t see myself buying one at my age as it would be just another “gadget” and I’ve gotten so I hate clutter and storing all these little appliances.haha! I am glad you are getting a chance to go to Korea. Going to Asia will open up a whole new world for you. We lived in Southeast Asia for 3 years (Singapore ) and have travelled to many many Asian countries and loved every single one of them! I am excited for you!
Wow I bet that was amazing! I am so excited to go and see the country and culture there! Thank you Colleen!
This looks gorgeous! I’ve not took the plunge on an Instant Pot yet, but I just might, now.
YES! You totally should Debs! Thank you!
Stcky!!! THat just about says it all!!
Thank you!