Instant Pot Orange Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish that brings the tangy, sweet taste of your favorite Chinese takeout to your home kitchen. With tender pieces of chicken coated in a delicious orange sauce, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot makes the cooking process fast and easy, infusing the chicken with rich flavors in a fraction of the time. Serve this delightful dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal that will surely become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup orange juice (preferably fresh)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Sauté the Chicken:
- Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and add the vegetable oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pressure Cook:
- Add the browned chicken back into the Instant Pot and pour the sauce mixture over the top.
- Close the lid, ensuring the pressure valve is set to the sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Thicken the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Stir in the orange zest.
- Serve:
- Serve the orange chicken over cooked rice or noodles.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Enjoy your Instant Pot Orange Chicken, a delightful and easy meal that brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your table!
