Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is a savory, sweet, and spicy dish that will make you feel like you’re dining in your favorite Chinese restaurant, but from the comfort of your own home. This recipe is a healthier spin on the traditional version, eliminating the need for deep frying while maintaining all the bold flavors that make this dish so popular. Whether you’re new to the Instant Pot or a seasoned pro, this recipe is easy to follow and ready in under 30 minutes. The result? Tender, juicy chicken enveloped in a thick, sticky sauce that’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy.

What Is General Tso’s Chicken?

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved dish in Chinese-American cuisine, typically served in restaurants across North America. Though it’s often mistaken for an authentic Chinese dish, its origins trace back to the United States. The dish is characterized by crispy chicken pieces coated in a sauce that strikes a perfect harmony between sweetness, tanginess, and heat.

The dish is named after General Tso, a famous Chinese military leader, though there is no historical connection to the actual recipe. The dish’s rich and complex flavors make it a staple in Chinese takeout and it is often considered one of the most popular Chinese-American dishes alongside sweet and sour chicken and orange chicken.

While the traditional recipe involves deep-frying the chicken, this Instant Pot version is lighter and healthier. We’ll use the Instant Pot to make the chicken tender, juicy, and coated with a flavorful sauce without all the added calories from frying.

Ingredients in Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

The ingredients in this dish work together to bring out the perfect balance of flavors. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are the base for this dish. Thighs are more flavorful and tender, but breasts can also work well if you’re aiming for a leaner option.

• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is used to control the salt level in the dish. Dark soy sauce provides an umami depth that’s essential to the flavor profile.

• Sweeteners: Brown sugar and honey are used to create a rich sweetness that complements the tangy vinegar in the sauce.

• Aromatics: Fresh garlic and ginger add a kick of fragrance and spiciness to the dish. These ingredients are key to making the sauce come to life.

• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a mild tanginess, which balances out the sweetness. If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a great alternative.

• Red Pepper Flakes: The red pepper flakes bring a subtle heat to the dish. You can adjust the amount based on your personal heat preference.

• Tomato Paste: This ingredient gives the sauce a rich color and helps thicken it, while also adding a slight acidity to balance the sweetness.

• Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin sauce is a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that’s a key component in many Asian dishes. It adds complexity to the flavor and is essential in this recipe.

• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, creating the glossy texture that makes General Tso’s Chicken so irresistible.

How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

This Instant Pot recipe is simple and quick. Follow the steps below to make this dish in less than 30 minutes:

1. Prepare the Chicken and Sauce:

• Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This allows for even cooking and a great sauce-to-chicken ratio.
• In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and hoisin sauce to create the sauce mixture.

2. Sauté the Chicken:

• Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and heat some oil.
• Add the chicken pieces and sauté until browned. This step helps to develop flavor in the chicken and ensures the sauce sticks better.

3. Pressure Cook the Chicken:

• Add the sauce mixture to the Instant Pot, stirring to combine.
• Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on the “Poultry” setting for 5 minutes. This quick cooking time ensures that the chicken remains tender and juicy.

4. Natural Pressure Release:

• Once the cooking time is complete, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.

5. Make the Sauce Thicker:

• Transfer the chicken to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Set the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function again and stir in a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

6. Combine and Serve:

• Return the chicken to the Instant Pot, stir well to coat the chicken in the thickened sauce, and turn off the Instant Pot.
• Serve the dish over a bed of rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Tips for Perfect Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

1. Chicken Selection: While chicken breasts are leaner, chicken thighs offer more flavor and tenderness. If you prefer to use chicken breasts, they may require slightly less cooking time.

2. Adjust the Sweetness and Heat: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey and red pepper flakes to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter dish, add more honey or brown sugar. For extra heat, toss in more red pepper flakes or even a dash of chili sauce.

3. Thicken the Sauce to Your Liking: The cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce, but if you prefer a thinner sauce, reduce the cornstarch. On the other hand, if you like a richer, stickier sauce, add a bit more cornstarch.

4. Garnishing: Toasted sesame seeds and green onions add color, texture, and freshness to the dish, but you can also experiment with other garnishes like chopped cilantro or a squeeze of fresh lime.

Common Variations of General Tso’s Chicken

1. Spicy General Tso’s Chicken: If you like your General Tso’s chicken extra spicy, you can increase the red pepper flakes or use fresh chilies. Some recipes call for a dash of hot sauce, such as sriracha, for an added kick.

2. General Tso’s Tofu: For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with firm tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then sauté it until crispy before adding the sauce.

3. Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free. You can also swap the cornstarch for a gluten-free thickening agent.

4. Low-Sodium Version: To reduce the sodium content, use a low-sodium soy sauce, limit the use of hoisin sauce, and omit any added salt.

Serving Suggestions and How to Store Leftovers

Serving Suggestions

General Tso’s Chicken is best served over a fluffy bed of rice, but there are a variety of other sides that will complement this dish and mak

your meal even more satisfying. Here are a few ideas for serving:

• Steamed Rice: The classic choice for General Tso’s Chicken. The rice helps absorb the sweet, tangy sauce.
• Fried Rice: For a more flavorful side, fried rice with scrambled eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce makes a great pairing.
• Cauliflower Rice: If you’re looking for a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is an excellent alternative that still complements the dish without adding extra calories.
• Noodles: General Tso’s Chicken also pairs wonderfully with noodles like soba, lo mein, or even rice noodles for a change of pace.
• Vegetables: To balance the rich flavors of the chicken, serve it with some sautéed vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy, or bell peppers. A side of stir-fried green beans or roasted asparagus also works well.
• Appetizers: To complete the meal, consider serving some appetizers like egg rolls, dumplings, or crispy wontons.

How to Store Leftover General Tso’s Chicken

If you have leftovers or want to prepare this meal in advance, storing General Tso’s Chicken is simple and convenient. Here’s how you can store it:

1. Refrigeration:

   • Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
   • Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Simply reheat the chicken on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

2. Freezing:

   • To freeze, place the cooled General Tso’s Chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored for up to 3 months.
   • Thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it on the stove or in the Instant Pot.

3. Reheating:

   • For best results, reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if necessary.
   • If using a microwave, be sure to stir the chicken halfway through to ensure even heating.

Nutrition Information for Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content for a typical serving of Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken. Please note that the following values do not include any side dishes like rice.

This dish provides a good amount of protein and potassium, making it a filling and satisfying meal. While the sodium content may seem high due to the soy sauce, using low-sodium soy sauce and controlling the amount of hoisin sauce can help manage the salt levels. For those monitoring their calorie intake, this recipe can also be adjusted by reducing the amount of honey or sugar used.

Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken breast (boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ginger (fresh, grated)
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Optional Garnishes:

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Chicken:

   • Turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting and heat some oil.
   • Add the chicken pieces and sauté until lightly browned.

2. Add the Sauce:

   • Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and hoisin sauce to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.

3. Pressure Cook:

   • Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on the “Poultry” setting for 5 minutes.

4. Natural Pressure Release:

   • Let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.

5. Thicken the Sauce:

   • Transfer the chicken to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
   • In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add this to the sauce in the Instant Pot and stir well. Set to “Sauté” and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

6. Combine and Serve:

   • Return the chicken to the Instant Pot, stir to coat it with the sauce, and turn off the Instant Pot.
   • Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes:

• Chicken Selection: Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts for a juicier and more flavorful dish.
• Adjust Sweetness and Heat: Modify the amount of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, and use more red pepper flakes for extra heat.
• Cornstarch Substitution: For a smoother consistency, you can replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving):

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Method: Pressure Cooking (Instant Pot)

Cuisine: Chinese-American