This Easy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is sweet and savory with a little bit of heat! Make better than takeout right at home. Pressure cooker and slow cooker instructions included.
EASY GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN RECIPE
I’m thrilled to finally share this AMAZING and Easy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken! Tender pieces of chicken breast smothered in an amazing sweet and savory sauce with a little bit of heat! This recipe is a lighter version of the iconic takeout dish! NO deep-frying is needed.
This Easy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken recipe is teeming with bold flavors. It’s the opposite of your average ho-hum boring chicken dinner, and it’s way too easy to make and delicious not to put into dinner rotation pronto.
Plus, aside from the obvious and most important reason (it’s absolutely tasty), this can be made completely in your Instant Pot! So, the actual cooking process is straightforward. Like, ridiculously easy.
Brown the chicken up and toss it with the General Tso’s sauce, and you’re pretty much ready to go. So simple! And so, so yummy!
I tested this recipe out a couple of times on my hubby, and he RAVED about it. He said that the flavor was five-star and better than any he has eaten in a restaurant. That’s a BIG win!
I love being able to make better than takeout right at home!
EASY GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
Amounts are included in the printable recipe below (scroll down). You’ll need:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cubed
- Cornstarch
- Sesame seeds
- Crushed red pepper
- Green onion, sliced
- Rice vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Brown sugar
- Chinese cooking wine
- Garlic cloves
- Ground ginger
- Cayenne pepper
HOW TO MAKE EASY GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN IN THE INSTANT POT
Detailed instructions are included in the printable recipe below (scroll down). Here’s how to make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken.
1 – SEAR THE CHICKEN
Brown the chicken using the “saute’ mode. I recommend doing it in batches, so you don’t overcrowd the pot. Then transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with any remaining chicken. Return browned chicken to the pot.
2 – MAKE THE SAUCE AND PRESSURE COOK
Make the sauce: mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour sauce over the chicken. Mix to coat.
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Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, close the pressure valve, select “poultry” or “high pressure,” and adjust to 10 minutes. When the time is over, carefully turn the valve to “venting” to release the pressure. Then remove the lid. Press “Cancel”.
3 – THICKEN THE SAUCE AND SERVE
Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no lumps. Pour mixture over the chicken; mix to combine. Simmer for 1 – 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, crushed red pepper, and sliced green onions, if desired.
HOW TO MAKE EASY TSO’S CHICKEN USING THE SLOW COOKER FUNCTION
1 – SEAR THE CHICKEN
Brown the chicken using the “saute’ mode. I recommend doing it in batches, so you don’t overcrowd the pot. Then transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with any remaining chicken. Return browned chicken to the pot. NOTE: You can also sauté the chicken in a skillet over the stove.
2 – MAKE THE SAUCE AND SLOW COOK
Make the sauce: mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour sauce over the chicken. Mix to coat.
Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, OPEN pressure valve, select “slow cook”, and adjust to NORMAL. Cook for 3 hours. Or, adjust to MORE and cook for 1 ½ hour. When the time is over, carefully remove the lid.
3 – THICKEN THE SAUCE AND SERVE
Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no lumps. Pour mixture over the chicken; mix to combine. Cook for 15 more minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Serve chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, crushed red pepper, and sliced green onions, if desired.
QUICK RECIPE NOTES
- Browning the chicken: The caramelized surface of the chicken will give a rich and delish flavor to the finished dish, but if you are short of time, you can totally skip this step.
- If you don’t have or find Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine), substitute with dry sherry.
- Chicken breasts can be swapped for chicken thighs if you prefer.
- According to my testing of the Instant Pot’s slow cooker mode: NORMAL = LOW mode in a traditional slow cooker. MORE = HIGH mode in a traditional slow cooker.
- This General Tso’s chicken is so saucy that I love serving it with rice since it soaks up the sauce!
- Want to go with a more low-carb option? Serve with lettuce wraps or cauliflower rice instead.
STORING AND REHEATING LEFTOVERS
If you like to meal prep or you like to make extra, so you’ll have a meal for the next day, here’s how to store your Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken.
LEFTOVERS
This pressure cooker chicken recipe keeps great in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days, in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, heat it in the microwave until heated through.
FREEZER
You can freeze this cooked General Tso’s chicken for another day! Simply transfer it to a freezer bag once it has cooled. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat when you’re ready to eat.
MORE INSTANT POT IDEAS YOU’LL LOVE…
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
Easy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 ½ – 2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cubed (2 kg)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (15 g)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1 green onion, sliced (optional)
For General Tso’s sauce:
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar (80 ml)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (80 ml)
- ¾ cup hoisin sauce (180 ml)
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar (48 g)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) (see notes)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste (see notes)
Instructions
Pressure Cooker:
- Turn the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté" mode, adjust heat to more. When hot, add oil. Add the chicken in batches, make sure not to crowd the pot, and cook about 2 minutes per side, or until slightly brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with any remaining chicken. Press "cancel". Return chicken all the chicken to the pot. NOTE: You can also sauté the chicken in a skillet over the stove.
- Make the sauce: mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour sauce over the chicken. Mix to coat.
- Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, close the pressure valve, select "poultry" or "high pressure," and adjust to 10 minutes. When the time is over, carefully turn the valve to "venting" to release the pressure. Then remove the lid. Press "Cancel".
- Turn the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté" mode, adjust heat to normal. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no lumps. Pour mixture over the chicken; mix to combine. Simmer for 1 – 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, crushed red pepper, and sliced green onions, if desired.
Slow Cooker:
- Turn the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté" mode, adjust heat to more. When hot, add oil. Add the chicken in batches, make sure not to crowd the pot, and cook about 2 minutes per side, or until slightly brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with any remaining chicken. Press "cancel". Return chicken all the chicken to the pot. NOTE: You can also sauté the chicken in a skillet over the stove.
- Make the sauce: mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour sauce over the chicken. Mix to coat.
- Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, OPEN pressure valve, select "slow cook" and adjust to NORMAL. Cook for 3 hours. Or, adjust to MORE and cook for 1 ½ hour. When the time is over, carefully remove the lid. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no lumps. Pour mixture over the chicken; mix to combine—Cook for 15 more minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, crushed red pepper, and sliced green onions, if desired.
Video
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
- More Recipe
Nutrition
Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions about eggless baking.
This recipe was sponsored by Safeway in 2018.
Originally posted May 2018, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in March 2021.
