Ingredients

1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 2-3 inch chunks

1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil

1 tablespoon minced ginger

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

6 tablespoons rice vinegar

6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

6 teaspoons hoisin sauce

1/3 cup water

3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Additional red pepper flakes, for garnish

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the chicken thighs into 2-3 inch chunks. Leaving them slightly larger helps maintain moisture and prevents the pieces from breaking apart during cooking.

Step 2: Heat your Instant Pot by pressing the Sauté button, then pressing Adjust and selecting More to activate Sauté More for medium-high heat. Wait until the display reads HOT.

Step 3: Add the oil to the hot pot and heat for about 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start turning golden.

Step 4: Add the minced ginger, garlic, red chili flakes, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/3 cup water to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Step 5: Close the Instant Pot lid securely. Select the Poultry function and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.

Step 6: After cooking, use a 10-minute Natural Release. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Gently stir the chicken, taking care not to break the pieces.

Step 7: Switch back to the Sauté function. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the pot and stir gently.

Step 8: Continue cooking on Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Add more slurry if you prefer a thicker sauce, keeping in mind it will thicken further as it cools.

Step 9: Turn off the Instant Pot and let the chicken stand for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken even more.

Step 10: Serve the General Tso Chicken over rice with steamed broccoli. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions, extra red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

Use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner option, but be careful not to overcook to keep the meat tender.

Adjust the red chili flakes to control the spice level according to your taste.

For a richer flavor, add a splash of toasted sesame oil at the end of cooking.

Serve with steamed vegetables like broccoli or snow peas for added color and nutrition.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking and best texture. Using frozen chicken may increase cooking time and affect the final texture.

How can I make the sauce less sweet?

Reduce the amount of brown sugar or honey to your preference, or add a bit more soy sauce and rice vinegar to balance the sweetness with savory and tangy flavors.