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4.9 from 87 votes

Instant Pot General Tso Chicken

Easy Better than Takeout Instant Pot General Tso Chicken Recipe: Tender, juicy pressure cooker chicken soaked in sweet and sour General Tso Sauce with a tad spicy kick. Easy to make & so delicious to eat!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 - 6
Calories: 302 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner

Ingredients

  • 8 - 10 (~2 pounds) chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) peanut oil
  • 10 dried Chinese red chili
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 - 2 talks green onion , green part finely chopped for garnish; white part cut into 1.5 inch pieces
  • 1 (10g) slice ginger , roughly chopped
  • 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 cold water
Serve:
  • 16 - 20 pieces lettuce
  • hoisin sauce (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Shred Chicken: Place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Remove chicken skin if desired. Shred chicken with a fork. Remove the bones.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  • Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you!

Nutrition Information

Calories 302kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 25g (8%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 93mg (31%) Sodium 302mg (13%) Potassium 453mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 18g (36%) Vitamin A 880IU (18%) Vitamin C 5.1mg (6%) Calcium 40mg (4%) Iron 1.3mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4- 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories 302

% 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.