Mochi's Instant Pot Cream Stew
A cozy, soul-warming Japanese cream stew that's stew-pendously creamy and comforting! Ready in under 30 minutes.
PrepPrep Time
20 min
CookCook Time
15 min
DiffDifficulty
Easy
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Small saucepan for roux
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
Ingredients
Substitutions
- Chicken thighs Chicken breast or pork
- Broccoli Cauliflower or green beans
- Heavy cream More whole milk (lighter)
Instructions
Prep & sauté aromatics
Cut chicken, potatoes, and onions into uniform pieces. Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode, melt 2 tbsp butter, then sauté onions 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and ginger, cook 30 seconds until fragrant!
Brown the chicken
Add chicken pieces in a single layer and sauté 2-3 minutes until the outside turns white. Add broth to deglaze, scraping up any fond from the bottom.
Pressure cook
Add potatoes and white pepper. Secure lid, seal valve, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release when done - potatoes should be fork-tender!
Make your roux
While pressure cooking, make your roux in a small pan. Melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat, whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly - don't let it brown! Gradually whisk in some of the milk and cream to create a smooth, lump-free sauce. Set aside.
Add broccoli
After releasing pressure, set to Sauté mode. Add broccoli florets and cook for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
Make it creamy
Stir in the remaining milk and cream. Add your homemade roux bit by bit, whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer 3-4 minutes until thickened and silky smooth. Season with salt to taste. Serve with crusty bread or rice!
Chef's Notes
This is my take on the classic Japanese cream stew - and yes, we make our own roux! Don’t be lazy and reach for pre-made roux blocks. Making your own takes 2 minutes and gives you that fresh, silky texture that store-bought can’t match. Don’t skip the ginger - it adds a depth that makes this stew special! I recall this traditionally (?) has carrots, but me no like carrots so no carrots in there.