If you’ve ever craved that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors brought together in a comforting Chinese-American classic, then this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It delivers crispy, tender chicken coated in a rich, tangy sauce that bursts with layers of flavor. And because it’s made in the Instant Pot, it’s faster and cleaner than takeout, making it a weeknight winner whether you’re cooking for family or just treating yourself. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a role in creating the perfect taste, texture, or color that makes this dish so special. From the tender chicken thighs to the aromatic garlic and ginger, every item adds depth and character.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: These provide juicy, flavorful chunks that stay tender under pressure cooking.
- Egg: Helps the cornstarch coating stick, making the chicken crispy on the outside.
- Cornstarch: Essential for crisping the chicken and thickening the sauce later.
- Oil: Used for sautéing the chicken to golden perfection.
- Chopped garlic and ginger: These aromatics bring warmth and depth to the dish.
- Chicken stock: Adds body and helps deglaze the pot for maximum flavor.
- Rice vinegar: Provides a bright, tangy note balancing the sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the sauce for that iconic General Tso’s taste.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds a rich, slightly smoky dimension.
- Soy sauce: Brings saltiness and umami.
- Shaoxing wine: A traditional Chinese cooking wine that adds complexity.
- Minced garlic and grated ginger: Infuses fresh intensity into the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: Give the dish its subtle spicy kick—you can adjust to your heat preference.
- Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water): Thickens the sauce to that perfect coating consistency.
- Finely sliced green onions and sesame seeds: For garnish, adding crunch and a pop of color.
How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Start by creating the star of the show—the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, granulated sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. This blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes will bring the General Tso’s signature flavor to life. Set it aside while you prepare the chicken.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Beat the egg in a shallow bowl and place cornstarch in another. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then coat it in cornstarch to create that irresistible crispy exterior after sautéing. Lay the coated chicken pieces on a plate, ready for cooking.
Step 3: Sauté the Chicken
Switch your Instant Pot to the SAUTE function and allow it to heat up nicely. Add oil, then carefully layer in the coated chicken pieces. Let them cook until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes per side. If your pot isn’t big enough, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate as you go.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze
With the chicken removed, toss in the chopped garlic and ginger to the hot pot. Cook until fragrant, about a minute, then pour in chicken stock to deglaze. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom – they’re pure flavor gold for your sauce.
Step 5: Add Sauce and Chicken
Pour the pre-mixed sauce into the Instant Pot, then nestle the browned chicken back into the sauce. Give everything a good stir so each piece gets coated with that vibrant sauce base.
Step 6: Pressure Cook
Turn off the SAUTE function. Secure the lid, making sure the valve is set to SEALING. Select MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. This quick cook reigns in all the flavors beautifully while tenderizing the chicken perfectly.
Step 7: Release Pressure and Thicken Sauce
When the timer beeps, do a quick pressure release by switching the valve from SEALING to VENTING—careful as steam will escape fast. Open the lid once safe. To thicken the sauce, stir in a slurry made from cornstarch and water. Let the residual heat work its magic. If it’s not thick enough, switch on SAUTE again and let it simmer for a few minutes until luscious and glossy.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Serve the General Tso’s chicken hot over a bed of steamed rice. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions for that final touch of freshness and crunch. Then dive right in!
How to Serve Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishes like freshly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds not only brighten up the plate visually, but they add a welcome crunch and subtle layers of flavor that complement the saucy chicken perfectly. Don’t skip them!
Side Dishes
Serve this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe alongside fluffy white or jasmine rice to soak up every bit of sauce. For a balanced meal, pair it with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a crunchy Asian slaw that adds some freshness and texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to switch things up? Try spooning the chicken over cauliflower rice or serve it in lettuce wraps for a lighter option. You could also pile it on a bed of noodles for a hearty twist, or turn it into a filling for bao buns that will wow everyone at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This tasty Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cool it before sealing to keep the sauce’s texture and flavors intact.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, freeze the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen it up so it’s perfectly saucy again.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While thighs stay juicier and more tender, chicken breasts can work fine as well. Just keep in mind they’ll cook slightly faster and can dry out if overcooked, so watch your cooking times carefully.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before pressure cooking?
Browning the chicken first is key for great texture and flavor in this recipe. It creates a crispy outside and adds delicious caramelized notes that pressure cooking alone can’t replicate.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Definitely! The recipe uses red pepper flakes for heat, but you can add more to suit your spice level, or add a dash of chili garlic sauce or fresh sliced chilies for extra kick.
What can I substitute for Shaoxing wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, dry sherry or even a splash of mirin mixed with a bit of water can make a decent substitute, helping mimic the depth and slight sweetness it provides.
Can I double this recipe?
You can double the ingredients, but be mindful of your Instant Pot’s capacity. Avoid overcrowding to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and browns properly. You might need to sauté the chicken in batches.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. It’s a perfect combination of ease and flavor that elevates weeknight dinners into something special without a ton of fuss. Next time you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal with that unmistakable sweet and tangy sauce, give this recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy, tender chicken coated in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Using the Instant Pot allows for a quick and easy preparation, locking in flavors while keeping the chicken juicy. Serve it over steamed rice with a garnish of green onions and sesame seeds for a satisfying and flavorful meal 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 (more if preferred spicier)
Thickener & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Finely sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the Chicken: Beat the egg in a shallow bowl. Place cornstarch in another bowl. Dip each piece of chicken first in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with cornstarch. Lay coated chicken pieces on a plate, ready for cooking.
- Sauté Chicken: Turn Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat the oil. Add the coated chicken pieces in batches, cooking each side for about 2 minutes until crispy and browned. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate once done.
- Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze: Add chopped garlic and ginger to the pot and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken stock and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, deglazing the pot.
- Add Sauce & Chicken: Pour the pre-mixed sauce into the Instant Pot, then return the browned chicken pieces into the pot. Stir everything together to fully coat the chicken with sauce.
- Pressure Cook: Cancel SAUTE mode. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to SEALING, and select MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) mode on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release Pressure: When cooking is complete, carefully perform a quick release by moving the valve from SEALING to VENTING. Once pressure is fully released, open the lid cautiously.
- Add Cornstarch Slurry: Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this into the pot. The residual heat will thicken the sauce. If needed, turn SAUTE on again and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Garnish & Serve: Serve the General Tso’s chicken hot over cooked rice, garnished with finely sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy your flavorful, homemade meal!
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili.
- For extra crispiness, consider double-coating the chicken by repeating the egg and cornstarch step before sautéing.
- Make sure to deglaze the Instant Pot well to avoid the burn warning during pressure cooking.
- This recipe works well with chicken breast as a leaner alternative but be careful not to overcook.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
