Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
If you have a craving for a comforting, bold, and tangy chicken dish that gets on your table quickly, look no further than this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. It brings together crispy chicken morsels enveloped in a rich, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce, all made easier by the magic of the Instant Pot. Whether you’re after a busy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dinner party option, this recipe promises layers of flavor and satisfying textures that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward ingredients, each thoughtfully chosen to build that iconic General Tso’s flavor and irresistible texture. From the tender chicken thighs to the punchy ginger and garlic, every element plays a crucial role in creating this unforgettable meal.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Using thighs helps keep the chicken juicy and tender during cooking.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to help the cornstarch stick perfectly to each chicken piece for crispiness.
- Cornstarch: Essential for that crispy exterior and thickening the sauce later.
- Oil: Needed for sautéing the chicken to golden perfection in the Instant Pot.
- Garlic and ginger (both chopped and minced): These aromatics infuse the sauce with classic Asian flavors and a hint of warmth.
- Chicken stock: Helps deglaze the pot and adds depth to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Balances sweetness with a bright acidity.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the signature sweet note that General Tso’s sauce is loved for.
- Hoisin sauce: Offers a rich, umami-packed complexity.
- Soy sauce: Provides saltiness and savory punch.
- Shaoxing wine: Delivers a subtle, aromatic depth that elevates the dish.
- Red pepper flakes: Bring in just the right amount of heat, adjustable to your taste.
- Green onions and sesame seeds: Perfect garnishes to add fresh color and nutty crunch.
How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Start by combining the rice vinegar, granulated sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. This flavorful mixture is the heart of your dish, beautifully balancing sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy notes. Set it aside while you prep the chicken.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Beat the egg in a shallow bowl to create a sticky coating for the chicken. In another bowl, place the cornstarch. Dip each bite-sized chicken piece first into the egg, then coat it evenly with cornstarch. This double coating ensures your chicken will crisp up wonderfully when sautéed.
Step 3: Sauté Chicken
Set your Instant Pot to the SAUTE function and heat the oil until shimmering. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces in batches, giving them about 2 minutes on each side until they turn crispy and golden. Transfer each batch to a plate to rest. This step locks in moisture and builds that fantastic crust without using a deep fryer.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze
Into the same pot, toss in the chopped garlic and ginger. Let these cook for about a minute until they release their lovely fragrance. Then pour in the chicken stock and use a spatula to scrape up any tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom—this adds extra flavor to your sauce.
Step 5: Add Sauce & Chicken
Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pot and toss the browned chicken pieces back in, stirring gently to coat every piece with that luscious sauce.
Step 6: Pressure Cook
Cancel the SAUTE function and seal the lid tightly. Ensure the valve is set to SEALING, and select MANUAL mode at HIGH PRESSURE. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes, allowing the pressure cooker to meld all the good flavors together quickly.
Step 7: Release Pressure
Once cooking is complete, carefully switch the valve from SEALING to VENTING to release the pressure quickly. Open the lid cautiously and get ready for the final steps!
Step 8: Add Cornstarch Slurry
Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry, then stir it into the pot. The residual heat will thicken the sauce beautifully, coating the chicken in a glossy finish. If it needs a bit more thickening, switch back to SAUTE mode and simmer until perfect.
Step 9: Garnish & Serve
Serve the tender, saucy chicken over steaming rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions for that extra zing and crunch that makes this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe truly shine.
How to Serve Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing touches like sesame seeds and green onions aren’t just pretty—they add texture that complements the tender chicken and sticky sauce perfectly. Plus, they bring that vibrant pop of color to your plate that makes this dish irresistible.
Side Dishes
Classic steamed white or jasmine rice is the perfect vessel to soak up all that flavorful sauce. For a fresh twist, try pairing it with stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or a crisp Asian slaw that brings a refreshing crunch alongside the rich chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
Mix things up by serving this General Tso’s chicken over cauliflower rice or even stuffed into steamed bao buns for a playful, hands-on meal. Garnish with fresh cilantro or a drizzle of spicy mayo to personalize the dish further and impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your General Tso’s chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The sauce will continue to meld with the chicken, often tasting even better the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Portion the chicken into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to seal tightly to preserve freshness. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. This helps keep the chicken moist and brings back that desirable glossy sauce texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used if you prefer leaner meat. Just be mindful that they may cook faster and can dry out easily, so keep an eye during the sautéing and pressure cooking steps.
How do I adjust the spice level?
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste. If you love heat, feel free to add a pinch more. For a milder version, reduce or omit the flakes altogether.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe can be gluten-free if you substitute the soy sauce with a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos and ensure the hoisin sauce you use doesn’t contain gluten.
Can I make this recipe in a regular pot instead of an Instant Pot?
You can, though cooking times and methods will vary. Sauté the chicken on the stove and simmer the sauce until thick and flavorful. The Instant Pot just makes the process faster and easier.
What side dishes pair well with Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe?
Besides rice and steamed veggies, try pairing this dish with fried rice, egg rolls, or a fresh cucumber salad to add a crisp contrast to the rich, saucy chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is truly a game-changer when you want a takeout favorite at home without the fuss. Its perfect balance of crispy chicken and flavorful sauce achieved in under 30 minutes will make it a staple in your meal rotation. I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love with this easy, delicious dish just like I have!
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Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful take on the classic Chinese-American dish. Crispy chicken coated in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce is pressure cooked for tender perfection, then thickened to a glossy finish. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s an easy dinner crowd-pleaser ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound (227 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup (64 g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons oil (more if needed)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Finely sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, granulated sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Chicken: Beat the egg lightly in a shallow bowl. Place cornstarch in a separate bowl. Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten egg, then coat evenly with cornstarch. Arrange coated pieces on a plate.
- Sauté Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat. Pour in the oil, then add the chicken pieces in batches, browning each side for about 2 minutes until crispy. Remove browned chicken to a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze: Add chopped garlic and ginger to the pot, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a spatula to lift any browned bits for added flavor.
- Add Sauce & Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the pot and add back the browned chicken pieces. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Pressure Cook: Cancel SAUTE mode. Secure the lid and set the valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL (or Pressure Cook) on HIGH pressure and cook for 5 minutes.
- Release Pressure: When the cooking cycle completes, carefully perform a quick pressure release by shifting the valve to VENTING. Open the lid once pressure is fully released.
- Add Cornstarch Slurry: Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pot to thicken the sauce. If it doesn’t thicken sufficiently, turn on SAUTE mode again and simmer until the desired thickness is reached.
- Garnish & Serve: Serve the General Tso’s chicken hot over cooked rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions for garnish. Enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- Using chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and flavorful, but chicken breasts can be substituted if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness.
- If sauce doesn’t thicken enough with slurry, simmer longer on SAUTE mode.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
- Work in batches when browning chicken to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
