Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is perfect to whip up when you are craving Chinese takeout! It’s so easy and ready in less than 30 minutes-perfect when you are short on time.
If you are looking for a homemade takeout swap then this recipe is for you. Not only is this recipe quick, but it is also full of flavor and family-friendly. Here are several other Chinese Chicken Recipes you can check out too!
Instant Pot General Tso Chicken
General Tso Chicken is a Chinese dish of chicken that has been battered and fried before being cooked in an amazing sauce. It was named after the general who helped the Hunan province win a battle against Russia. To give thanks, they created this chicken dish in his honor.
Why I Love This Recipe
I really enjoy this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe because it is a quick and easy dish that tastes similar to Chinese takeout.
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Easy to make
- Perfect for picky eaters
If you love homemade Chinese food recipes, you may also enjoy this Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe.
Ingredients
This ingredients list may seem a little long but you should have most of these ingredients on hand already.
- boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed into bite-sized pieces
- soy sauce
- honey
- brown sugar
- garlic powder
- ground ginger
- rice vinegar
- red pepper flakes
- tomato paste
- hoisin sauce
- cornstarch
- water
Substitutions
Soy Sauce: Coconut Aminos can be used in place of soy sauce.
Honey: Agava can be used in place of honey if you are out.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this family-friendly recipe.
- knife and cutting board
- measuring cup and spoons
- Instant Pot
How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Making this easy General Tso chicken recipe only requires six simple steps. You will be so glad that you make this easy pressure cooker recipe.
Step 1: Add the ingredients to the Instant Pot
Place all of the ingredients into the electric pressure cooker EXCEPT the cornstarch and water. Stir well to mix.
Step 2: Cook the chicken
Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Program the electric pressure cooker with the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting for 6 minutes.
Step 3: Naturally Release the pressure
After the cooking cycle has been completed, wait for the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before doing a quick release of the remaining pressure.
Step 4: Remove the chicken
Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the electric pressure cooker but keep warm. Press to cancel the “keep warm” setting and program to “saute.”
Step 5: Thicken the sauce
Combine the cornstarch and water. Then, pour the mixture over the sauce and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Return the chicken to the electric pressure cooker and toss in the sauce.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Do you want to change up this General Tso Chicken recipe? Here are my tried and true swaps for this recipe.
Mild: If you are not a fan of heat feel free to leave out the red pepper flakes.
Spicy: If you like a lot of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
Chicken Thighs: You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead if you want.
Serving Suggestions
Are you wondering what to serve with your General Tso Chicken? Here are a few of my favorite suggestions.
- Fried Rice
- Wonton Soup
- Eggdrop Soup
- Potsickers
Tips
Want to make sure that your recipe turns out well? Here are my best tips for this recipe.
- Be sure to cut your chicken into even chunks so that it cooks evenly.
- Chop your green onions ahead of time so that they are ready to go when you need them.
- If you are making this recipe for kids, halve the amount of red pepper flakes.
FAQs
Do you have questions about General Tso Chicken? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Place the leftover chicken in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 2 minutes. Stir, then heat for another minute or until reheated.
Yes, place the leftovers in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container. Make sure to thaw in the refrigerator overnight prior to reheating in a microwave.
More Instant Pot Recipes
If you like Instant Pot recipes, give these recipes a try:
- Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot White Rice
- Instant Pot Cream Cheese Chicken
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
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📋 Recipe
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into the electric pressure cooker EXCEPT the cornstarch and water. Stir well to mix.
- Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Program the electric pressure cooker with the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting for 6 minutes.
- After the cooking cycle has completed, wait for the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes before doing a quick release of the remaining pressure.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the electric pressure cooker but keep warm. Press to cancel the “keep warm” setting and program to “saute.”
- Combine the cornstarch and water. Then, pour the mixture over the sauce and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes or until thickened.Return the chicken to the electric pressure cooker and toss in the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Nutrition
Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
