Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken tastes like your favorite take-out dish, and it is incredibly quick and easy. It’s lighter, too!
This Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken tastes like the famous Chinese take-out dish, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Skip the takeout and make this lighter, faster version of General Tso’s chicken right in your Instant Pot! With just a few minutes of prep—chopping chicken, mincing aromatics, and mixing a bold, savory-sweet sauce—you’ll have a restaurant-style dish on the table in under 30 minutes. This homemade version cuts back on oil without sacrificing flavor, and it’s easy to customize for a lower-carb meal. Serve it over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result. Add 2 minutes to the pressure cooking time.
- Add steamed broccolini or snow peas after cooking for a built-in veggie side.
- Include a teaspoon of orange zest or a splash of orange juice for a citrusy twist.
- Make it spicy by doubling the red pepper flakes or stirring in chili garlic sauce or chili crisp.
- Use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a soy-free version.
- Replace the sugar with honey, maple syrup, or allulose for sweetness with less refined sugar.
- Stir in cashews or roasted peanuts at the end for added crunch.
- Top with chopped cilantro or Thai basil for a fresh herbal finish.
- Serve in lettuce wraps for a low-carb, hand-held option.
? How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate leftover General Tso’s chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or zip-close bag. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat on the stovetop, warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce is too thick.
To reheat in the microwave: Transfer the chicken and sauce to a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely with a lid or damp paper towel. Microwave in 30 to 60-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through (165°F). Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil, or another kind of neutral-flavored oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons dry sherry, or Chinese rice wine
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, or more low-sodium
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Sauté: Select the sauté setting on the Instant Pot and add the peanut oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring, for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger and continue cooking for 1 minute. Cancel the sauté function.
- Combine: In a bowl, stir together the chicken stock, sherry or rice wine, rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, and sugar. Add the sauce mixture to the chicken.
- Pressure Cook: Lock the lid in place and turn the steam release vent to “sealing.” Choose the pressure cook or manual button (high pressure) and set the time for 5 minutes. When the time is up, do a quick release.
- Finish the Dish: Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl; mix until smooth and stir it into the chicken and sauce mixture along with the tomato paste. Select the sauté setting and cook just until the sauce is thickened.
- Serve: Spoon General Tso’s chicken over cooked long grain rice or serve it with a noodle dish or cauliflower rice. Garnish servings with thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
