Instant Pot Orange Chicken

I have always been a fan of Chinese takeaway and learning to cook Instant Pot Orange Chicken in the pressure cooker was both exciting and fun. Enjoy this Homemade Orange Chicken recipe. It’s easy, simple and tastes delicious.

Making Instant Pot Orange Chicken

• Flavorful Feast: The tangy, sweet, and spicy orange sauce makes every bite delightful.
• Effortless Cooking: The Instant Pot ensures a fuss-free preparation and quick cleanup.
• Restaurant Quality: Enjoy a homemade version of your favorite Chinese takeout dish.

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the ingredients needed for Instant Pot Orange Chicken:

For the Chicken and Batter

• Chicken Breast: The protein base of the dish, it’s lean and absorbs flavors well.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps create a crispy, golden exterior on the chicken.
• Cornstarch & All Purpose Flour: Form the batter that gives the chicken its crispy coating.
• Eggs: Help the batter adhere to the chicken and add richness to the dish.

Orange Chicken Sauce Ingredients

• Orange Juice: Provides a fresh, tangy sweetness that is the hallmark of orange chicken.
• Fresh Ginger & Minced Garlic: Add aromatic, spicy notes that balance the sweetness of the sauce.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Adds acidity, balancing out the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Create a sticky, caramel-like sauce that coats the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami depth to the sauce.
• Sriracha Sauce & Red Pepper Flakes: Add heat to the dish, which can be adjusted to taste.

Cornstarch Slurry Ingredients

• Cornstarch & Orange Juice: This mixture thickens the sauce so it clings to the chicken, intensifying the flavor in every bite.

Garnish

• Green Onions: Add a fresh, sharp contrast to the rich, sweet and spicy sauce.
• Fresh Orange Zest: Enhances the orange flavor and adds a bright, citrusy note to finish the dish.

How To Make Instant Pot Orange Chicken?

Here are the step-by-step instructions for pressure cooker orange chicken:

Cut your chicken breast or chicken thighs into small 1-2 inch chunks.

Add 2 eggs to a small bowl and whisk. In a separate bowl add your corn starch and all-purpose flour and mix to combine.

Dip the chicken chunks into the whisked eggs and then into the flour mixture.

Shake off any excess flour and set to the side. Repeat until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Turn your pressure cooker onto Saute Mode. Add the oil to the inner pot. Once the oil has heated, add the chicken and saute for 2-3 minutes.

Turn your tender chicken over and over for an even cook. Cook until it just starts to get golden brown.

Remove the coated chicken and set it to the side. Deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup orange juice and scrape any brown bits with a wooden spoon.

Add all the sauce ingredients to the Instant Pot. This includes orange juice, fresh ginger, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sriracha and red pepper flakes.

Stir gently until all the ingredients are combined. Add the chicken to the Instant Pot and toss until the chicken pieces are coated in the sticky Orange sauce.

Close the Instant Pot Lid, seal the vent and select the manual button. Pressure cook your orange chicken recipe for 5 minutes on High pressure followed by 10 minutes of natural release.

Release the remaining pressure from your Instant Pot by opening the vent. Open the lid and select the Sauté function again.

In a medium bowl combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the 2 Tablespoons of orange juice. Whisk until all combined with no lumps.

Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and gently stir to combine.

Simmer the orange chicken recipe for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the Instant Pot off. Allow the chicken to thicken for 5 minutes.

Serve this Orange chicken Instant Pot recipe over rice and garnish with fresh chopped green onion, red chilis, and extra orange zest. I also like to add a spoonful of toasted sesame seeds.

What To Serve With Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is delicious on its own, but to truly round out your meal, you can pair it with a variety of side dishes.

• Some great options include steamed or stir-fried vegetables, Green Beans or Steamed Broccoli.
• You can also include other familiar Asian-inspired dishes like pot stickers or Instant Pot Chow Mein.
• Orange chicken pairs well with Instant Pot Rice, Brown Rice or Cauliflower Fried Rice.
• If you’re looking for something a bit heartier, try pairing orange chicken with small portions of your favorite protein such as Grilled Shrimp or Chinese Pork.

FAQ’S

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Angela Milnes

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner that’s packed with flavor? This Instant Pot Orange Chicken is the perfect weeknight meal! Juicy chicken thighs are cooked to perfection in a tangy, sweet orange sauce with just the right balance of savory goodness.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 827 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Battered Chicken

• 2 lbs Chicken Breast
• 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 cup Cornstarch thickener
• 1 1/2 cups Flour
• 1 Egg

Orange Sauce

• 1 cup Orange Juice
• 1 tbsp. Ginger
• 1 tbsp. Minced Garlic
• 1 tbsp. Rice Wine
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 1 tbsp. Sriracha
• 1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
• 2 Tbsp Cornstarch Slurry

Garnish

• 1 Tbsp Green Onion
• 1 Tbsp Orange zest

Instructions

 

• Cut your chicken breast or chicken thighs into small 1-2 inch chunks.
• Add 2 eggs to a small bowl and whisk.
• In a separate bowl add your corn starch and all-purpose flour and mix to combine.
• Dip the chicken chunks into the whisked eggs and then into the flour mixture.
• Shake off any excess flour and set to the side. Repeat until all your chicken pieces are coated.
• Turn your pressure cooker onto Saute Mode. Add the oil to the inner pot. Once the oil has heated, add the chicken and saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Turn your tender chicken over and over for an even cook. Cook until it just starts to get golden brown.
• Remove the coated chicken and set it to the side. Deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup orange juice and scrape any brown bits with a wooden spoon.
• Add all the sauce ingredients to the Instant Pot. This includes orange juice, fresh ginger, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sriracha and red pepper flakes.
• Stir gently until all the ingredients are combined.
• Add the chicken To the Instant Pot and toss until the chicken pieces are coated in the sticky Orange sauce.
• Close the Instant Pot Lid, seal the vent and select the manual button.
• Pressure cook your orange chicken recipe for 5 minutes on HIgh pressure followed by 10 minutes of natural release.
• Release the remaining pressure from your Instant Pot by opening the vent. Open the lid and select the Sauté function again.
• In a medium bowl combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the 2 Tablespoons of orange juice. Whisk until all combined with no lumps.
• Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and gently stir to combine.
• Simmer the orange chicken recipe for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the Instant Pot off. Allow the chicken to thicken for 5 minutes.
• Serve this Orange chicken Instant Pot recipe over rice and garnish with fresh chopped green onion, red chilis, and extra orange zest.

Notes

f you need to thicken up the orange sauce then here is a quick how-to guide.

• Place the cooked meal on Saute mode for 2-3 minutes.
• Whisk together cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl.
• Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of corn starch slurry to the sauce.
• Mix into the sauce and thicken for 1 minute and leave to thicken naturally.
• If the sauce thickens too much, add another 1/4 cup of water and mix well.

Nutrition

Calories: 827kcalCarbohydrates: 133gProtein: 46gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 4100mgPotassium: 1113mgFiber: 2gSugar: 73gVitamin A: 597IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 139mgIron: 5mg

Keyword Instant Pot Orange Chicken, Orange Chicken

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Instant Pot Dishes To Add To The Menu

• Instant Pot Arroz Con Pollo
• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
• Acorn Squash Instant Pot Recipe
• Instant Pot Corn On The Cob
• Instant Pot General Tso Chicken
• Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts
• Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
• Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Instant Pot Marinara Recipe
• Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken