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Instant Pot General Tso Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 70 reviews

A flavorful and easy-to-make Instant Pot recipe for General Tso Chicken, featuring tender chicken thighs cooked under pressure with a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. This dish comes together quickly for a perfect weeknight dinner, served best over rice with a garnish of green onions, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 2–3 inch chunks

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 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 low-sodium soy sauce
  • 6 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey

Cornstarch Slurry

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons water

Garnishes

  • Red pepper flakes
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Slice the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into 2-3 inch chunks, leaving them slightly large to keep the meat moist and prevent breaking during pressure cooking.
  2. Heat the Instant Pot: Press the Sauté button, adjust to ‘More’ for medium-high heat, and wait until the display reads HOT.
  3. Sear the chicken: Add the vegetable oil to the hot pot, let it heat for 1 minute, then add the chicken pieces. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken turns golden.
  4. Add the sauce ingredients: Add the ginger, minced garlic, red chili flakes, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar (or honey), and water to the pot with the chicken.
  5. Stir to combine: Mix all ingredients well to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce.
  6. Pressure cook: Close and seal the lid. Select the Poultry function and set the timer for 5 minutes.
  7. Release pressure: Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, then manually release any remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully and gently stir the chicken to avoid breaking it.
  8. Make the cornstarch slurry: Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Turn on the Sauté function again and add the slurry to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
  9. Thicken the sauce: Cook on Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens. Add additional slurry if thicker sauce is desired, remembering it will thicken further upon standing.
  10. Let it stand: Turn off the Instant Pot and let the chicken sit for 5-7 minutes so the sauce can thicken more.
  11. Serve: Serve the General Tso Chicken over rice with steamed broccoli. Garnish with chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for the best texture and flavor; breast meat may dry out under pressure.
  • Adjust the amount of red chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, prepare extra cornstarch slurry and add gradually.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Keywords: General Tso Chicken, Instant Pot recipes, Chinese chicken recipe, pressure cooker chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meals

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/instant-pot-general-tso-chicken-recipe/