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Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

Instant Pot General Tso's Chicken
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This Easy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a quick and convenient way to enjoy the bold, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors of the classic Chinese takeout dish. Using lean chicken breast and fresh ingredients, it delivers tender chicken coated in a glossy, flavorful sauce with minimal cleanup. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly meals that don’t sacrifice taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Cooking

  • 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (or coconut sugar/honey for a healthier swap)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot starch/tapioca starch for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp cold water (for cornstarch slurry)

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into bite-size pieces to ensure quick cooking and better absorption of the sauce flavors.
  2. Sauté Garlic, Ginger, and Chicken: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the vegetable oil, then add the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until they turn opaque and develop a light golden color to lock in flavor and texture.
  3. Add Sauce Ingredients: Mix in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, and red chili flakes. Stir well to combine and coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
  4. Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. This will tenderize the chicken and deeply infuse the sauce flavors.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Once cooking completes, release the pressure. Switch back to sauté mode and stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water). Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, clingy finish.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately for a fresh crunch and nutty aroma.

Notes

  • Use fresh ginger and garlic for more vibrant flavor than powdered versions.
  • Don’t skip the sauté step to add essential depth and texture to the chicken.
  • Make the sauce by blending ingredients before adding for even seasoning.
  • Adjust the sweetness and heat before thickening by tasting and tweaking sugar or chili levels as desired.
  • Allow natural pressure release to keep the chicken juicy and tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, General Tso's Chicken, quick dinner, Chinese takeout, pressure cooker, gluten free option, easy recipe, family-friendly

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/instant-pot-general-tsos-chicken/