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Who wouldn't crave a dinner that's exotic, quick to prepare, and incredibly tasty? I'm sharing my favorite instant pot General Tso chicken recipe. Sink your teeth into tender chicken chunks draped in a tangy sauce, all done in the flash of an instant pot. This flavor-packed dish is more than just a meal. It’s a ticket to a dinner time voyage, right in the comfort of your home, no take-out needed. Trust me, once you've tried this recipe, you'll be hooked! Are you ready to be the weeknight chef hero? Let's dive in!
Ingredients for General Tso's Chicken
- Chicken thighs: Tender and flavorful dark meat that absorbs the bold flavors of the sauce, providing a juicy and succulent texture.
- Soy sauce: Infuses the dish with a rich umami flavor, adding depth and saltiness to balance the sweetness of the sauce.
- Hoisin sauce: Sweet and savory sauce that enhances the overall taste profile, contributing a complex and robust flavor to the dish.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Brown sugar: Provides sweetness to the sauce, caramelizing during cooking to create a sticky glaze and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall savory profile with its earthy notes.
- Ginger: Offers a fresh and zesty kick to the dish, complementing the sweetness and adding a warm, spicy undertone.
- Sesame oil: Infuses a nutty and aromatic flavor into the dish, enhancing the overall Asian-inspired taste with its distinctive essence.
- Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, creating a glossy and velvety texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Green onions: Adds a fresh and mild onion flavor to the dish, providing a pop of color and a subtle crunch.
Essential Tools for Making This Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot: Speeds up cooking time and infuses flavors efficiently.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting chicken and vegetables safely.
- Knife: Essential for cutting chicken thighs and chopping garlic, ginger, and green onions precisely.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate measurements of sauces, sugar, and vinegar for balanced flavors.
Instant Pot General Tso Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Small Bowl
Ingredients:
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 0.5 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup hoisin sauce
- 0.25 cup rice vinegar
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions chopped
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- In the Instant Pot, combine chicken, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once done, quick release the pressure and open the lid.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the chicken mixture in the Instant Pot.
- Select the sauté function and cook until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently.
- Serve the General Tso chicken over rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes:
Nutrition value:
Keywords:
Tips for Making General Tso's Chicken Ahead of Time
Make Ahead Instructions
- Cook the General Tso Chicken as directed in the recipe.
- Allow the chicken to cool completely.
- Store the cooled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
- Cook the General Tso Chicken according to the recipe.
- Cool the chicken completely.
- Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Label the container with the date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
General Tso Chicken is named after a Qing dynasty military leader, General Tso Tsung-tang, but the dish itself is not traditionally found in Hunan cuisine, his birthplace.
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