Instant Pot Orange Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
583 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Description
This recipe uses bone-in chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of orange juice and zest, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, ketchup, optional Shaoxing wine, and chicken stock in the Instant Pot. After marinating for 30 minutes to 2 hours, the chicken is pressure cooked skin side up for 6 minutes followed by a natural pressure release. The chicken is then removed and the cooking liquid is thickened with cornstarch and water to make a glossy sauce.
The resulting dish has juicy chicken coated in a tangy, savory orange-flavored sauce with hints of ginger and garlic. The pressure cooking method helps tenderize the chicken while infusing it with marinade flavors rapidly. The sauce has a balance of sweet and savory tones.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken can be served over rice or steamed vegetables to complement its bright and rich sauce. Fresh orange slices, green onion, or sesame seeds make suitable garnishes to enhance presentation.
Using fresh, juicy oranges is important for a vibrant flavor. Substituting orange juice will alter taste and may need adjustments. Bone-in thigh meat is recommended for optimum texture, though other chicken cuts can be used with adjusted cooking times.
Ingredients
- 4 - 6 (2lbs) chicken thigh bone-in
- 1 orange , juiced (70ml - 90ml) and zested (7g)
- 6 (21g) garlic chopped, cloves
- 1 tablespoon ginger , crushed and sliced
- 1 (170g) onion , sliced
- ¼ cup (63ml) soy sauce regular
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons (30g) ketchup
- Shaoxing wine optional, 1 tablespoon (15ml
- ½ cup (125ml) chicken stock unsalted
- 1 - 3 tablespoons (30g) honey or sugar to sweeten
- salt to taste
Thickener
- 2½ tablespoons (22.5g) cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) water cold
Optional Garnish
- 1 - 2 talks green onion , finely sliced
- orange slices, zest
- sesame seeds toasted, white and black
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken in Instant Pot: Add garlic, ginger, onion, ¼ cup (63ml) regular soy sauce, ½ tsp (2.5ml) sesame oil, 2 tbsp (30g) ketchup, orange zest, 70ml - 90ml orange juice, 1 tbsp (15ml) Shaoxing wine, and ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Mix well. Add chicken in Instant Pot skin side down. Marinate chicken in the inner pot for at least 30 minutes to up to 2 hours in the fridge. Amy + Jacky's Tip! Dip the chicken thighs' meat in the marinade first before flipping it over for better coverage.
- Pressure Cook Orange Chicken: Place the inner pot back in Instant Pot. Flip the chicken over so the chicken skins are facing up. Close the lid. Turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position. When the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.
- Sweeten and Thicken: Set aside the chicken on a serving plate. Bring the orange sauce to a simmer with "Saute" function. Add in 1 to 3 tbsp honey to sweeten the sauce. Amy + Jacky's Tips - Sweetness: Make sure to taste and adjust the sweetness as you add the honey because the amount you need depends on your orange juice's sweetness, honey, and your preferences. For reference, we used 2 tbsp (30ml) honey. In a small mixing bowl, mix 2.5 tbsp (22.5g) cornstarch with 3 tbsp (45ml) cold water. Mix it into the orange sauce one-third at a time until desired thickness. Taste the orange sauce, then season with salt or regular soy sauce if necessary. For reference, we added 3 large pinches of salt to season it properly. Place the chicken back in the orange sauce.
- Optional Flavor-Boosting Step: Broil ChickenOption 1 - Oven or Toaster Oven: Place the Orange Chicken on an oven tray under the "Broil" function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the tasty orange sauce is caramelized.Option 2 - Air Fryer or Air Fryer Lid: Place air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot. Layer chicken on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot. Place the Air Fryer Lid on Instant Pot. Press "Airfry" button, set Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 15 minutes. Then, air fry the second batch of orange chicken in Instant Pot. Amy + Jacky's Tip: it'll take roughly 7 to 11 minutes + preheat time to caramelize with Air Fryer Lid. You can open the lid to check the progress.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish your caramelized orange chicken with finely sliced green onions, orange zest, orange slices, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy~
Notes
- The total cooking time does not include the marinating time, which should be between 30 minutes and 2 hours for best flavor.
- Use fresh, juicy, and flavorful oranges for the marinade to achieve the best taste.
- Fresh orange juice can be substituted but will change the flavor profile; adjust sweetener and seasonings accordingly.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are preferred, but chicken drumsticks or breasts can be used with adjusted cooking times.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 583 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 583kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 222mg | 74% |
| Sodium | 542mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 660mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 314IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 26mg | 29% |
| Calcium | 58mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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