Description
Classic Asian American fusion, this Instant Pot orange chicken is delicious and easy to make. Serve over rice or noodles and a side of veggies.
Ingredients
TO COOK:
2 lb / 900 g chicken breast or/and thighs ( cut into 1–2 inch pieces)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced/grated ginger
2 teaspoons minced/grated garlic (3–4 garlic cloves)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Sriracha or hot sauce (or ¼ teaspoon chili flakes)
TO FINISH THE SAUCE:
3 tablespoons brown sugar or granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
3 tablespoons water or extra orange juice
TO SERVE:
¼ cup diced scallions (green onions)
Sesame seeds
Steamed rice or noodles
Side of greens of choice (if you want)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients. Wash and blot dry the chicken with a paper towel. Then trim off excess fat. You could use kitchen shears. Then cut the chicken into bite-size chunks. Get the sauce ingredients ready as well.
- Sauté. Turn the Instant Pot on and press the Sauté function key. Once hot, add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the chicken, salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring halfwayway. Then press Cancel to stop the Sauté function.
- Use 1/3 cup of orange juice to deglaze the pot. Simply pour it in and stir through with the thicken, scraping the bottom to make sure there are no bits of chicken stuck as these may cause a BURN notice.
- Combine orange zest, remaining orange juice, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice and Sriracha hot sauce. Pour the mixture into the Instant Pot over the chicken.
- Secure and lock the lid. make sure the pressure handle is pointing to Sealing on Duo Classic. Select Manual/Pressure Cook and adjust the timer to 4 minutes on HIGH pressure. After a few beeps/seconds, the ON sign will come on indicating the pot is heating up and the pressure is building; pressurizing will take about 3-5 minutes and then the 4-minute timer will begin.
- Once the timer is done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then use the quick release method to let off the remaining pressure (press the steam knob down or point to Venting on older models).
- Finish the sauce: Open the lid and stir the contents. The sauce will look a little thin at this stage. Press the Sauté setting button again. Stir in the brown sugar and let the sauce bubble for 5-6 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
- In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch or flour and water. Stir this cornstarch slurry into the Instant Pot and let the sauce thicken for a minute. Press Cancel to stop the Saute process.
- Taste for seasoning and add more salt or hot sauce if desired. Serve over rice or noodles with favorite vegetables on the side.
Notes
Saute: 2 minutes | Pressurizing: 3-4 minutes | Cooking at HIGH pressure: 4 minutes | Release: 5 minutes natural release, then quick release the remaining pressure | Finish sauce: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 oz chicken with sauce
- Calories: 341
- Sugar: 10.4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 10.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.9 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 41.8 g
- Cholesterol: 131.4 mg
Keywords: Chicken, Instant Pot, Chinese, Asian, Pressure Cooker, Dinner, Main, Gluten-Free, Poultry