Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Bring the irresistible, sticky-sweet, and savory flavors of restaurant-style General Tso’s Chicken straight to your kitchen—with none of the fuss! This Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken is the absolute answer to those nights when the craving for takeout strikes but time (and patience) are running short. You’ll be stunned by how quickly everything comes together: juicy chicken, a gloriously rich, fragrant sauce, and just the perfect touch of heat, all in about 30 minutes. Incredibly easy, impossibly tasty, and guaranteed to put a huge smile on your face, this will be your new weeknight favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Fast and No-fuss: This is a real “craving now, eating in a half-hour” dish. The Instant Pot handles the bulk of the work and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Mouthwatering Flavor: Think crispy, tender chicken bites wrapped in a glossy, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce; it just begs to be spooned over fluffy rice.
• No Deep Fryer Required: Get that craveworthy texture on your chicken—minus the splattering oil and mess of traditional frying.
• Totally Customizable: With a few easy swaps, you can play with the flavors, the sauce level, and even the heat, making it just right for your table.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these kitchen staples and a few pantry heroes—nothing tricky or hard to find here!

• Chicken Thighs: Super juicy, tender, and SO much flavor. Thighs are ideal, but you can swap for chicken breast if you must.
• Egg: Helps the cornstarch stick to the chicken, so you get that delicious light coating.
• Cornstarch: For coating the chicken and for thickening the final sauce. Cornstarch makes the magic—don’t use flour here!
• Garlic & Ginger: Both fresh and finely chopped—they create an aromatic base that’s key to authentic flavor.
• Oil: Any light oil works, like canola or vegetable. Just enough to brown the chicken without deep frying.
• Chicken Stock: Adds savory depth and helps deglaze the pot.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings gentle tang and balance to the sauce.
• Sugar: Essential for the signature sweet touch.
• Hoisin Sauce: Adds umami richness and a subtle sweetness—that’s General Tso’s secret weapon!
• Soy Sauce: Brings salt and complexity. Use low-sodium if you prefer.
• Shaoxing Wine: Awesome for adding depth, but dry sherry or a splash of broth works in a pinch.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For a customizable heat; start mild, then add as much as you like.
• Cornstarch Slurry (cornstarch + water): The effortless way to get that glorious, sticky sauce.
• Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: Not just for garnish—they add color, subtle spice, and nutty crunch.

Pro tip: Don’t hesitate to toss in extra ginger or garlic if you love bolder flavors!

Variations

• Extra Heat: Add a handful of dried red chilies or double up on the red pepper flakes if you’re a spice fan.
• Vegan Version: Use tofu instead of chicken—just press and cube the tofu, coat, and brown in the same way.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari, and double-check your hoisin sauce ingredients!
• Vegetable Boost: Stir-fry some snap peas, steamed broccoli, or bell peppers and toss them in at the end for more crunch and color.
• Crispy Option: Want the chicken extra-crunchy? Give it a quick pan-fry in a skillet before pressure cooking.

How to Make Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken

Step 1: Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set this tangy-sweet sauce aside—this will coat every bite with irresistible flavor.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Beat an egg in a shallow bowl. Dip pieces of chicken in the egg, then roll them in cornstarch so each piece is beautifully coated.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Set your Instant Pot to SAUTE and add a good swish of oil. In batches, lay your coated chicken in the pot. Let each side brown for about two minutes—no need to cook through, just get that tempting golden color! Move browned pieces to a plate.

Step 4: Fragrant Base

In the same pot (don’t clean it!), add chopped garlic and ginger. Let them sizzle just until fragrant, then pour in the chicken stock. Scrape up the bits stuck to the bottom—this adds extra flavor and keeps you from getting the dreaded burn notice.

Step 5: Add Sauce and Pressure Cook

Pour the prepared sauce into the Instant Pot, add your chicken pieces back in, and stir gently. Hit CANCEL, then select MANUAL (HIGH PRESSURE) for 5 minutes. Make sure the valve is set to SEALING.

Step 6: Quick Release and Thicken

When the timer goes off, quick-release the pressure. Open carefully! Mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, pour it right into the pot, and stir well. The sauce will thicken up almost instantly thanks to the heat. (If it needs more thickening, switch the SAUTE back on and simmer for a minute or two.)

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Ladle over fresh hot rice, scatter with green onions and sesame seeds, and dig in while it’s gloriously hot and saucy.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t crowd the pot when browning the chicken—give each piece space for crispier edges.
• If the sauce seems too thick, splash in a bit more chicken stock to loosen.
• Like it sweeter or tangier? Taste and adjust the sugar or vinegar in the sauce to your liking before pressure cooking.
• Prep all your ingredients ahead. This will make the whole process even smoother since the dish moves fast once you start.

How to Serve

There’s no wrong way to relish this General Tso’s Chicken, but here are some perfect pairings:

• Steamed Jasmine or Basmati Rice: Fluffy rice soaks up every drop of that irresistible sauce.
• Stir-fried Vegetables: Broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers work beautifully.
• Noodles: Toss saucy chicken over quick-cooked noodles for a comforting, slurpable twist.
• Garnishes: Don’t skip the green onions, sesame seeds, or even a squeeze of lime for brightness.

Leftovers will be just as delicious—if not better—the next day!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let the chicken cool, then pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Freezing

General Tso’s Chicken freezes brilliantly! Store in a freezer-safe container or bag (rice too, if you like) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a sauté pan or microwave until heated through, adding a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

The sauce will be thick when cold—don’t worry, it’ll loosen up when reheated.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While thighs provide juicier, more flavorful results, you can easily swap in chicken breast. Just watch your cook time—they can dry out if overdone, so keep a close eye.

Is this dish spicy? Can I make it milder for kids?
The base recipe has just a gentle heat from the red pepper flakes. If you’re serving little ones or spice-shy eaters, simply use less or skip them entirely. You can add extra at the table for the spice lovers!

Do I need to pre-cook rice separately?
Yes, for best texture! General Tso’s Chicken and rice cook at different rates in the Instant Pot. Prepare rice on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or even with the Instant Pot’s pot-in-pot method if you’re feeling fancy.

Can I double the recipe?
Go ahead and double! Just brown the chicken in more batches. The pressure cook time remains the same, but be careful not to overfill your Instant Pot (never go past the MAX line).

Final Thoughts

Give this Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken a spot in your regular dinner rotation. It hits all those classic sweet, tangy, and savory notes, and comes together way faster than waiting for delivery. It’s one of those magical, home-cooked meals that turns any busy night into something special. Grab your ingredients and fire up that Instant Pot—you’re in for a spectacular treat!

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