If you enjoy the General Tso’s chicken, you will love this fast and easy Instant Pot version. It’s lighter than the fried version, and it’s ready in minutes with very little prep work. The only work involved includes cutting up the chicken, mincing the garlic and ginger, and combining the sauce ingredients. It would take you longer to order the restaurant version for pick-up or delivery!
Use allulose or another sugar substitute for a lower carb count, and serve the chicken over riced cauliflower instead of rice.
Add about 10 to 15 minutes to the total time to allow for pressure buildup.
PrintInstant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
This light Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken tastes like your favorite take-out dish and is incredibly quick and easy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Pressure Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Chinese Cuisine, Instant Pot, Chicken Breasts
- Method: Pressure Cook
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pound boneless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil (or another kind of neutral flavor 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
- Select the sauté setting on the Instant Pot and add the peanut oil.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. 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.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken stock, sherry or rice wine, rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir to combine and then add the sauce mixture to the chicken.
- 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.
- 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 General Tso’s chicken with hot cooked long grain rice, a noodle salad, or cauliflower rice. Garnish servings with thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds.
