There’s something about a warm bowl of noodles that feels like a hug in a bowl. This Instant Pot Asian braised chicken with soba noodles is that kind of meal – hearty, cozy, and full of flavor. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, turning chicken, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and sweet potatoes into a savory-sweet braise that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
Unlike heavier stews or cream-based pasta, this dish is light yet filling, thanks to nutty soba noodles that soak up the soy-mirin broth perfectly. It’s a wholesome dinner that feels special without requiring much effort – ideal for weeknights when you want comfort food but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry-friendly Asian staples to build depth of flavor:
- Chicken thighs or drumsticks – dark meat stays juicy under pressure cooking.
- Sweet potato – adds natural sweetness and creaminess to balance the soy sauce.
- Carrots – hearty, slightly sweet, and hold up well to braising.
- Shiitake mushrooms – earthy and rich, they infuse the broth with umami.
- Onion and garlic – the aromatic base for building flavor.
For the sauce:
- Soy sauce – salty, savory backbone of the dish.
- Mirin – adds sweetness and complexity; rice vinegar with a touch of sugar works too.
- Honey or brown sugar – for balance.
- Sesame oil – nutty finish.
- Chicken broth – helps create a silky braising liquid.
- Optional ginger or red pepper flakes – for warmth and gentle spice.
And of course, soba noodles for serving. Their buckwheat flavor is nutty and grounding, pairing beautifully with the soy-based broth.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced flavors: Soy sauce and mirin create a savory-sweet base, while sweet potato naturally thickens and sweetens the sauce.
- Hands-off cooking: The Instant Pot develops flavors quickly without babysitting.
- One-pot convenience: Everything cooks together, and you only need to boil soba separately.
- Family-friendly: Mild enough for kids, yet flavorful enough for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes! Boneless thighs work great. Reduce the pressure cooking time to 8 minutes.
What if I don’t have mirin?
You can substitute rice vinegar with 1 tsp sugar. It’s not identical but still gives a nice balance.
Do I have to use shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake add a lot of umami, but you can use cremini or button mushrooms in a pinch.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just double the ingredients but keep the same cook time. The Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure, but the braise itself is unchanged.
This Instant Pot Asian braised chicken with soba noodles is a simple, soul-warming dinner that bridges Japanese-inspired flavors with comforting braised chicken. It’s hearty, healthy, and endlessly customizable, the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again!
Instant Pot Asian Braised Chicken with Soba Noodles
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs cut into 2 inch wide chunks
- 1 medium sweet potato cut into chunks
- 2 carrots thickly sliced
- 6 –8 shiitake mushrooms fresh or rehydrated if dried
- 1 small onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 –2 tbsp neutral oil
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin or rice vinegar + 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- Optional: 1 tsp grated ginger
For serving:
- For serving:
- Cooked soba noodles
- Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the chicken. Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add oil and sear chicken on both sides until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics. Add onion, garlic, and shiitake mushrooms. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze. Pour in a splash of broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
- Add vegetables and chicken. Return chicken to the pot, then add carrots and sweet potato.
- Pour in sauce. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, mirin, honey, sesame oil, and broth. Pour over ingredients and stir gently.
- Pressure cook. Cancel Sauté. Lock the lid and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes if boneless, 10 minutes if using drumsticks or thighs with bone. Let pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release.
- Serve. Spoon chicken and vegetables over cooked soba noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
