Instant Pot General Tso Chicken
User Reviews
4.9
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
40 mins
-
Total Time
45 mins
-
Servings
4 - 6
-
Calories
302 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Lunch, Dinner
Instant Pot General Tso Chicken
Description
This recipe starts by sautéing dried Chinese red chilies, minced garlic, white parts of green onion, and chopped ginger in peanut oil within the Instant Pot to develop a fragrant base. The chicken drumsticks are added with a sauce combining dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, Chinese black vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. The dish is pressure cooked, then natural pressure release occurs to soften the chicken.
After cooking, the chicken is removed, skin optionally discarded, and meat is shredded from the bones. The sauce is returned to sauté mode in the Instant Pot, sweetened if desired with honey, and thickened with a cornstarch slurry to achieve a glossy consistency. The shredded chicken is mixed back into the sauce, coating every piece.
Served with lettuce leaves for wrapping and optional hoisin sauce, this dish presents tender chicken with a balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It is a practical way to achieve this classic takeout flavor at home using the pressure cooker.
Ingredients
- 8 - 10 (~2 pounds) chicken drumstick
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) peanut oil
- 10 dried red chili Chinese
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 - 2 talks green onion , green part finely chopped for garnish; white part cut into 1.5 inch pieces
- 1 (10g) ginger roughly chopped, slice
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey (optional)
General Tso Sauce:
- 1/4 cup (63ml) dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Shaoxing wine
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Chinese black vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
Thickener:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water cold
Serve:
- 16 - 20 pieces lettuce
- hoisin sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Ginger: Heat up your pressure cooker (Instant Pot: press Sauté button). While the pressure cooker is heating, pour in 1 tbsp (15ml) peanut oil. Add 10 dried Chinese red chili, minced garlic, white part of green onions, and chopped ginger in the pressure cooker, then allow them to slowly release their fragrance. Sauté for roughly 3 minutes.
- Pressure Cook Chicken: Add General Tso Sauce mixture and chicken in Instant Pot. Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 12 minutes + 12 minutes Natural Release. Release the remaining pressure, then open the lid carefully.
- Shred Chicken: Place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Remove chicken skin if desired. Shred chicken with a fork. Remove the bones.
- Thicken General Tso Sauce: Remove the Chinese red chili. Heat up your pressure cooker (Instant Pot: press Sauté button), and bring the sauce back to a boil. Taste the sauce and add in roughly 1 tbsp (15ml) of honey to sweeten the sauce if desired. Mix 2 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and stir the mixture into the sauce one third at a time until desired thickness. Place the shredded chicken back in the sauce and mix well.
- Serve: Place shredded chicken on lettuce. Garnish with finely chopped green onions. You may also serve this Instant Pot General Tso Chicken Lettuce Wrap with Hoisin Sauce on the side. Enjoy~ :)
Notes
- Consider rating the recipe in the comments section if you try it to share your experience.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4- 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 302 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 302kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 302mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 453mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 880IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 5.1mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1.3mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
