Craving that irresistible sweet and tangy General Tso's Chicken but don't want to order takeout? Get ready to transform your Instant Pot into a culinary magic machine! This foolproof recipe will have you creating restaurant-quality Chinese cuisine right at home, with minimal effort and maximum flavor. In less time than it takes to have food delivered, you'll be savoring perfectly crispy, saucy chicken that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 lb of chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 2 cloves of garlic minced, 1 tbsp of minced ginger, 1 tbsp of cornstarch, and 2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
- In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk together until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. This will be your sauce.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and set it to the 'Sauté' mode. Add the vegetable oil and allow it to heat for about 2 minutes.
- Once the oil is hot, add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Sauté the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides.
- After the chicken is browned, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot. Stir well to ensure that all the chicken pieces are coated with the sauce.
- Close the Instant Pot lid securely and ensure the valve is set to 'Sealing'. Set the Instant Pot to 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' mode for 8 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to 'Venting' to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and give the chicken a good stir. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can turn the Instant Pot back to 'Sauté' mode and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.
- Serve the General Tso's Chicken hot over steamed rice or with your favorite side of vegetables. Enjoy your homemade dish!
Tips
- Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking
- Make sure to pat chicken dry before sautéing to achieve better browning
- Don't skip the natural pressure release - it helps keep the chicken tender
- For extra sauce thickness, let it simmer on sauté mode for 2-3 additional minutes
- Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for a professional touch
- If you prefer spicier chicken, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce
- Serve immediately over steamed rice for the best texture and temperature
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 75mg
