Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is a quick and healthy homemade version of the classic spicy Chinese takeout dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American, Asian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter or tahini
Thickening Agent
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Optional Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Instant Pot: Turn your Instant Pot to the Sauté setting to begin cooking. This will allow you to sauté the chicken slightly before pressure cooking.
- Add Ingredients: Add the chicken pieces to the Instant Pot, then pour in all the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch and water. Stir well to combine all flavors thoroughly.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid securely. Set the Instant Pot to the Poultry setting and program it to cook for 5 minutes under pressure.
- Natural Release: After cooking completes, wait for the natural pressure release, which takes about 10 minutes. You can opt for quick release if you are in a hurry, following your Instant Pot manual.
- Sauté Sauce: Remove the lid carefully. Switch the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode without the lid. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken into a bowl temporarily.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add this slurry to the sauce in the Instant Pot. Cook, stirring gently for about 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the Instant Pot and stir to coat well with the thickened sauce. Turn the Instant Pot off. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Always consult your Instant Pot manufacturer’s guide to understand usage and safety instructions fully before cooking.
- Substitution options include using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts, cider vinegar in place of rice vinegar, and cayenne pepper instead of red pepper flakes.
- Adjust the sweetness level by reducing honey or brown sugar according to your taste preference.
- Nutritional values provided do not include rice or any additional sides you might serve with the dish.
Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/instant-pot-general-tsos-chicken-recipe/
