Easy Crispy Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe for Perfect Dinner
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, tender General Tso’s chicken made in the Instant Pot and finished with a flavorful tangy-sweet sauce. Perfect for family dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour (or cornstarch), salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces until evenly coated.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place the metal trivet inside. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the trivet in a single layer. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Quick-release when done.
- While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl. Mix the cornstarch slurry separately.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cooked chicken pieces and fry for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crispy.
- Lower heat to medium, pour the sauce into the skillet with the chicken, stirring constantly. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 1-2 minutes.
- Turn off heat, sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite sides.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when crisping the chicken; fry in batches if needed. Adjust sauce sweetness and spice to taste. Use cornstarch for extra crispiness. For gluten-free, use tamari and gluten-free flour. Air fryer can be used instead of pan-frying for a less oily finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 30
Keywords: General Tso's chicken, Instant Pot, crispy chicken, easy dinner, Chinese takeout, family meal, quick recipe