Chicken Instant Pot Stir Fry

Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

Of course you could use any pressure cooker you have to make this. They all have the saute function. That’s all you need. So grab your Crock Pot Express or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker and air fryer and let’s get going on this one, you’ll love it for sure.

You could use chicken thighs if you’d rather for this one if you love dark meat, we do too. Breasts work as well and even if they are still rock hard you can still throw those in at the beginning. With these you will need to cook first for 12 minutes and then proceed to the next steps listed below.

Ninja Foodi Stir Fry

If you are using this machine you will use the pressure cook button. The lid that is NOT attached is the correct one for this dish. If you needed to double everything for a larger crowd that would work just fine in your 6 quart or larger pot.

Instant Pot Stir Fry with Frozen Chicken

If you’re cooking frozen meat in Instant Pot you’ll want to cook under high pressure for 12 minutes first with a cup of broth, quick release and then that part is set. Then pour out the water you used to steam the meat, add items from step 5 for the sauce and skip to steps on step 6 below.

Can you fry in an Instant Pot?

• Stir fry isn’t really frying, or deep frying.
• It’s merely a mixture of meat, vegetables and sauce.
• No you cannot deep fry in a pressure cooker, it won’t get hot enough.

Which Instant Pot is best?

Depends on how large your family is but our 6 quart is great for the 5 of us. You’ll want to begin by setting your pot to saute. Now you’re going to whisk together your teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and olive oil (or avocado oil) in your pressure cooker. Add your thinly sliced chicken breast and saute. 

This will be a 5 minute cook time. Since the meat is thin it won’t take long for the pink to disappear. If you have the option select cooking on high for your saute feature. On my Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi I can choose low, normal or high. You want “all the heat”. 

• It’s best to prepare all of your veggies beforehand because this entire cooking process will be quick. You don’t want the chicken to overcook while you’re trying to dice green onions or slice bell peppers.

How do you cook frozen vegetables in an Instant Pot?

If you choose frozen for this recipe the timing would not change. Just periodically test the tenderness and adjust timing accordingly. Keep in mind you could add more vegetables and spices like broccoli and red pepper flakes for some spice. Nowadays you can find a variety of mixtures at the grocery store.

Most places offer an Asian blend sorta speak so if you can find that one that typically has snap peas, onions and peppers in it you’re good to go. Just open the bag and throw all that in. Of course fresh produce is best but if you live in a smaller town like we do that isn’t always possible to find year round.

• I would also start your pressure cooker brown rice or Instant Pot white rice before cooking your stir fry so it will be done at the same time. Jasmine rices are our favorite choice.
• Just add a few cups water with your rice into a separate pressure cooker and in less than 30 minutes it will be time to eat.

Talk about an easy meal prep!! Great for those busy days we all have. 

You will NOT ever completely close and seal the lid on your Instant Pot to make this chicken stir fry. It is all made using the saute function. The vegetables get tender by merely steaming with the lid on but not locked.

You should never lock the lid when the saute function is on. Yet keeping the pot on and creating steam with the lid slightly ajar will allow your peas, bell peppers and onions to become the perfect tender texture you want.

Just leave the valve to venting, set lid on top gently and check every few minutes to see if they’re to your liking yet.  Remove lid when veggies are perfect and serve immediately for ideal results.

Ingredients

1. Pressure cooker, if you have an Instant Pot I highly recommend you get a non stick pot
2. Chicken boneless skinless
3. Soy sauce – you can use coconut aminos if you need a gluten free option
4. Brown sugar adds a bit of sweet
5. Olive oil to saute meat
6. Lemon pepper seasoning
7. Vegetables
   1. bell peppers
   2. green onions
   3. snap peas

How much liquid do you need to cook meat in pressure cooker?

You do not need much liquid to cook Chicken Thigh Stir Fry either. Realize there will be chicken broth created when you saute the meat. And you’re not really pressuring cooking this meal since that function isn’t used. So no worries that there isn’t enough in this case. Normally with meat I would add 1/2 cup liquid is all.

If you wanted a touch of sweetness you could add a dab of maple syrup when done. More savory drizzle more soy on the top with a side of your favorite grains.

How to Make Pressure Cooker Stir Fry with Chicken

• Dice bell peppers into large chunks (smaller they are the softer they will become). Place in a bowl.
• Wash snow peas, put into bowl. Chop spring onion tops and put in a small separate bowl.
• Cut off the long onion bottom and slice in half, add to bowl with peppers and peas.
• Thinly slice chicken breasts the short way across. Set pressure cooker to the saute mode.
• Put chicken and 1 tbsp teriyaki, soy sauce + olive oil into pot together. Saute for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked and no longer pink on the outside.
• In a small bowl whisk together brown sugar, rest of teriyaki and lemon pepper seasoning. Pour over chicken and toss so it is all coated.
• Add vegetables to the pot and toss with chicken. Set lid on pot so everything can steam but do NOT lock lid. Leave lid on for 3 minutes to soften veggies. Stir. 
• If you want them softer put lid back on without locking for 2-4 more minutes to soften them further

Other easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners you’ll love

• Instant Pot fajitas – these are beef
• Pressure cooker roast beef
• Keto friendly pressure cooker turkey breast is a great option beyond just Thanksgiving Day