Instant Pot General Tso Chicken
The ultimate comfort food, Instant Pot General Tso Chicken is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner. Enjoy tender, juicy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s simple to prepare. Serve it over rice or with vegetables for a delicious meal that the whole family will love. Make it tonight and treat yourself to a taste of homemade Chinese takeout!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Skillet
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs cut into 2-3 inch chunks
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 6 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 6 tablespoons soy sauce
- 6 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- red pepper flakes for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
- green onions chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken thighs into 2-3 inch chunks. I tend to leave them a bit larger as the pressure cooker tends to make the chicken very moist, which helps to avoid breaking the pieces.
- Heat up your pressure cooker: press Sauté, click on the Adjust button, and select More to activate the Sauté More function. This means that the food will be sautéed over medium-high heat. Wait for the Instant Pot indicator to read HOT.
- Add the oil to the hot IP, wait one minute for the oil to heat up, and add the chicken. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times, until it just starts to get golden.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot: ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and water. Stir well to combine.
- Close the lid, select the Poultry function, and adjust the time to 5 minutes.
- Use a 10-minute Natural Release. Turn off the heat. Release the remaining pressure. Open the lid. Gently stir, being careful not to crush the chicken.
- Select the Sauté function again. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the water and whisk until all is combined with no lumps. Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and gently stir to combine. Cook on Sauté function for five more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and let the Instant Pot General Tso Chicken stand for 5-7 minutes; the sauce will thicken more.
- Serve over rice with broccoli and garnish with fresh chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld even more as it sits, making it taste even better the next day!
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken in a safe freezer container. It will maintain its quality for about two to three months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
- Pairing: Serve this dish with steamed rice and sautéed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for a complete meal.
- Serving Suggestions: Consider serving this dish with a side of egg rolls or wontons for an authentic takeout experience.
- Adjust the Spice: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red chili flakes. For more heat, increase them according to your taste.
- Experiment with Vegetables: Add in bell peppers or snap peas during the cooking process for a colorful and nutritious boost.