If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own takeout favorite right at home, you’re going to fall in love with Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken. This bold, saucy, just-a-little-spicy dish delivers the sweet and tangy flavors you crave in one breezy, weeknight-friendly recipe. With tender chicken thighs cooked under pressure, a glossy sauce that clings to every bite, and irresistible garnishes, it’s a better-than-restaurant version you’ll turn to again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe is how a simple lineup of ingredients comes together to make a showstopping dish. Each ingredient here plays a special role—whether it’s building the deep, savory sauce, providing heat, or giving your Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken its signature crispy-yet-saucy texture.
- Chicken thighs: Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for pressure cooking, thighs stay tender throughout.
- Cornstarch: Adds a super light coating to the chicken for a touch of crispness and thickens the sauce at the end.
- Vegetable oil: Essential for browning the chicken and developing a rich, savory base.
- Garlic: Lends irresistible aroma and a mellow, earthy backbone to the sauce.
- Fresh ginger: Brightens and lifts the dish with a bit of zesty warmth.
- Red pepper flakes: Just enough heat—feel free to dial it up or down.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Salty, umami richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Hoisin sauce: This thick, sweet-savory sauce is what gives General Tso’s its distinctive taste.
- Rice vinegar: Delivers a tangy kick to balance the sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Rounds out the sauce for that classic sweet finish.
- Ketchup: Adds a subtle tang and brings the sauce together with a gentle acidity.
- Water: Prevents the sauce from becoming too thick while pressure cooking.
- Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water): Thickens the sauce to glossy perfection just before serving.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds: Fresh, nutty pops of flavor for your final touch.
- Cooked white rice: The ultimate fluffy bed for this saucy, savory chicken.
How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Step 1: Coat and Brown the Chicken
Start by tossing your chicken thigh pieces in cornstarch until evenly coated—this is what helps lock in their juiciness and creates a barely-there crust. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode, pour in the vegetable oil, and when it shimmers, brown the chicken in batches. The goal is a golden exterior, not fully cooked meat. Take your time here; browning really develops that deep, craveable flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
With the chicken set aside, toss the minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes into the pot. Let them sauté for about thirty seconds, just until everything is fragrant and deeply aromatic. This little step infuses the oil and forms the backbone of your sauce.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Add in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and water. Stir well to combine. The kitchen will already smell amazing! Return the browned chicken (and any of those flavor-packed juices) to the Instant Pot, tossing everything gently to coat each piece in that marvelous sauce base.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Secure the lid, set your valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for five minutes. It’s just the right amount of time to get those thighs meltingly tender without overcooking them. Once it’s done, perform a quick release (carefully!) to keep the chicken at its juicy best.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Flip the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode. Stir in your cornstarch slurry—just a simple mix of cornstarch and water. This is when the sauce magically transforms, bubbling and thickening to that takeout-style sheen in just a couple of minutes. Once it reaches your ideal consistency, turn off the heat. Your Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is ready for its grand entrance!
How to Serve Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Garnishes
Don’t skip the finishing touches! A sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top of your Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken adds a fresh, nutty crunch. They brighten up each serving and make the meal look as vibrant as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This comforting dish is crave-worthy over fluffy white rice, but don’t stop there! Add a big scoop of steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy to your plate for extra color and a veggie boost. These sides soak up every last drop of sauce and balance the sweet and spicy flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, pile the chicken and sauce into lettuce wraps for the ultimate hand-held meal, or spoon it over crispy fried rice for a double-takeout experience. You can even stuff it into soft bao buns with crunchy slaw for an inventive lunch. Let your creativity shine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is just as delicious the next day. Place any extra chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. The flavors deepen overnight, making for a fantastic lunch or quick dinner reheat.
Freezing
This recipe is freezer-friendly too! Portion any extra chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers, cool completely, and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat your chicken on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. Avoid high heat—slow and steady keeps the chicken tender and prevents the sauce from splitting.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs are more forgiving and juicy under pressure, chicken breast works well if you prefer mild flavor and leaner meat. Just take care not to overcook, as breast can dry out more easily.
How can I adjust the spice level?
The red pepper flakes are your ticket to heat. For a mild version, reduce them or set them aside for the table. If you love extra kick, add more or even stir in a dash of chili oil when serving.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Swap in tamari for soy sauce and make sure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free, and you’re set! Always double-check ingredient labels to avoid any gluten-containing additives.
What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
You can make General Tso’s Chicken on the stovetop. Brown the chicken in a skillet, then simmer it in the sauce until cooked through. Thicken with cornstarch slurry as directed. The result won’t be quite as tender, but the flavors will still shine!
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just avoid overcrowding when browning the chicken and make sure your Instant Pot isn’t filled past the max line. Doubling is perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Final Thoughts
Give yourself a reason to skip the takeout menu and make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken at home. You’ll be amazed at how simple, flavorful, and downright fun it is to create. One bite and you may find this homemade version becomes your new weeknight favorite—so why not introduce your family and friends to your latest go-to dish?
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Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the bold flavors of traditional General Tso’s Chicken made quick and easy in the Instant Pot. Tender chicken pieces coated in a savory, slightly sweet sauce with a hint of heat, served over steamed rice. This Asian-inspired dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for slurry)
Garnish and Serving:
- sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
- cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Coat Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Sear Chicken: Sauté chicken in batches in Instant Pot until browned. Set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and water. Return chicken to pot.
- Pressure Cook: Lock lid, pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Quick release pressure.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in cornstarch slurry, cook until thickened.
- Serve: Serve chicken over rice, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast for thighs, but thighs stay juicier under pressure.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level.
- Great served with steamed broccoli or snap peas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
