Description
Crispy teriyaki chicken tacos dance with zesty Asian-inspired flavors, promising a delightful culinary adventure. Creamy sesame cucumbers and perfectly glazed chicken create an irresistible fusion that beckons you to savor each mouthwatering bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch, fajita-sized)
- 1 large English cucumber or 3–4 Persian cucumbers
- 1 avocado
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili crunch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh herbs (cilantro, green onions, mint)
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Marinate chicken thighs with salt and pepper in teriyaki sauce inside an Instant Pot, ensuring complete coverage.
- Pressure cook chicken at high setting for 10 minutes, allowing natural or quick pressure release afterwards.
- Create cucumber sauce by whisking yogurt, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, chili crunch, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Gently fold sliced cucumbers and fresh herbs into prepared sauce, reserving some dressing for final taco garnish.
- Carefully shred cooked chicken and spread evenly on a lined baking sheet.
- Enhance chicken’s flavor by drizzling additional teriyaki and sweet chili sauce across shredded meat.
- Caramelize chicken under broiler at high temperature for 3-6 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning and achieve crispy texture.
- Warm tortillas over direct gas flame or using oven/microwave for slight char and flexibility.
- Construct tacos by layering crispy teriyaki chicken, cucumber sauce, avocado slices, crushed peanuts, and sesame seeds.
- Finish by drizzling reserved sauce over assembled tacos for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Pressure Cooking Mastery: Instant Pot transforms tough chicken thighs into tender, flavorful meat that absorbs teriyaki sauce beautifully, ensuring juicy results every time.
- Broiling Brilliance: Watch chicken closely during caramelization to achieve perfect crispy edges without burning, creating textural contrast in each bite.
- Customization Flexibility: Swap chicken thighs with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian version, or use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas for low-carb alternative.
- Sauce Control: Adjust sweet chili and teriyaki sauce quantities to balance sweetness and tanginess according to personal preference, making the recipe adaptable to different taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Asian-Mexican Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg