This recipe for Instant Pot ginger and soy chicken lets the Instant Pot or your slow cooker do all the magic, giving you an insanely aromatic, flavourful chicken dish
There are many way in which I use my Instant Pot , but the manual mode, or pressure cooking mode is what I usually default to. The slow cooker mode is one that I love using for making curries with a more complex flavour profile such as pork vindaloo, and for tagines.
Why is slow cooking preferred for this ginger-soy chicken?
Coming to this dish itself - this slow-cooked chicken recipe is inspired from classic Chinese flavors - it has a mix of warm spices, similar to those used in a Chinese 5-spice mix. I just made my own version, from the spices I had on hand, and it turned out fantastic. Ginger and rice vinegar gradually tenderize the chicken over the time its being slow cooked, and the flavors of soy, garlic and spice mix intensify and are beautifully absorbed by the chicken. By the time it was done, the meat was practically falling off the bones and my house was smelling like heaven - or more specifically, if ever heaven decided to open a Chinese restaurant and I happened to walk past.
This sauce is the kind that perfectly normal people would lick clean off a plate. And then ask for seconds, and thirds. I think I'll be making this dish with pork next - slow cooking does the most wonderful things to pork! . Finish off the dish with some lightly toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallion stalks, and serve this dish with some jasmine rice that makes for the perfect vehicle for all that sauce.
If you liked this recipe, do comment below and rate the recipe! If you make this recipe, please post a pic on INSTAGRAM -tagging @carameltintedlife and follow along on FACEBOOK and PINTEREST
If you're looking for a warm and hearty Chinese-inspired recipe might also like my Cashew Chicken recipe .
For more easy Instant Pot Recipes, take a look at:
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Thai Chicken Curry and Rice
Instant Pot Ginger and Soy Chicken
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds chicken thighs and legs, skin removed around 7-8 thigh pieces, preferably bone-in
- 1 inch piece of ginger grated
- 2-3 cloves garlic grated
- 2-3 dried whole red chilies
- 1/2 cup sweet soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch/cornflour
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds lightly toasted
- Chopped scallions / spring onion stalks to garnish
For the Spice Mix (can be substituted with 1.5 tablespoons pre-made 5 Spice mix)
- 5 cloves
- 2 inch piece of cinnamon
- 3-4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon fennel
- 4 star anise
Instructions
- In a pan, on the stove-top, dry-roast the star anise, cloves, fennel, peppercorns and cinnamon for a minute, until the whole spices are fragrant. Grind the spices in a mortal and pestle or in a masala or coffee grinder. Keep the spice mix aside.
- In the bowl of your slow cooker (I used my Instant Pot), combine the chicken with the ginger, garlic, ground spice mix, red chilies, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey. Make sure the chicken is well coated with all the seasonings and sauces.
- In the 'slow cook' mode, cook the chicken for 2.5 hours on 'High' (see notes).
- Once done, the chicken will be tender and nearly falling off the bone.
- Now, switch to 'Saute' mode in the 'Less' setting.
- In a cup, mix together the corn starch and a couple teaspoons water to form a slurry. Add this to the chicken, giving it a few gentle stirs.
- Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Turn it off after 5 minutes.
- Serve with a garnish of sesame seeds and chopped scallion stalks.
Nice recipe. Not only taste ginger also has some health benefits. Health Benefits Of Ginger Tea
Sounds fabulous, Shinta! I've been trying to collect recipes for my new Instant Pot Pinterest board so this one will go on it as well. It's a group board, btw, so if you'd like to join I can send you an invite. Btw, your Fiesta Friday cohosts this week are Judi and Antonia. Zeba will cohost next week. Sorry for the confusion, totally my fault! If you can edit your post and mention Antonia, it'd be greatly appreciated ????
Dear Angie, I just updated the post. Do send me an invite! I'm forever pinning IP recipes, and your Pinterest board sounds fun!
I have seen so many great dishes with the Instant Pot lately, it is tempting me to buy one. I love the flavors of this dish and the chicken looks amazing. Thank you for bringing your delicious chicken dish to Fiesta Friday this week! Happy Fiesta Friday!
happy FF to you as well Antonia! thank you for co-hosting!
This dish looks so delicious. Well, I am sure it is and I might need extra serving of rice.???? Thanks for sharing and happy Fiesta Friday!
Thank you Jhuls, glad you think like I do - never say never to a second helping of rice! wish you a happy FF as well!
I love Chinese cuisine and make it often - the Chinese Five Spice powder is a very flavorful seasoning that I'm sure added a lot to your dish. Maybe one of these days I will invest in a Instant Pot (I have the old-fashioned ones that everyone is afraid of but I never use any more - I use my crock pots a lot). Thanks so much for coming to the party and sharing your wonderful recipe with everyone at Fiesta Friday.