Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and sour sauce is a popular Chinese condiment made from sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and spices. It’s typically used as a coating for meat, and adds a delicious savory-sweet flavour to any dish.
You can often order sweet and sour dishes from your local Chinese restaurant, but they are also easy to make at home using simple ingredients.

Sweet and sour chicken has a wonderfully savory-sweet flavor. The sauce is tangy from the vinegar, but also slightly sweet from the sugar.
Plus, it’s loaded with delicious umami flavors thanks to the soy sauce and spices.
Whether you’re an adventurous cook or new to Asian cuisine, this dish is sure to become a favorite!

This Instant Pot sweet and sour chicken does contain sugar so is not free from carbs. However, this delicious option for a meal is packed with protein and other key nutrients from the chicken, veggies, and sauce ingredients.

One serving of Instant Pot sweet and sour chicken contains approximately 270 calories. However, it will vary depending on the ingredients and sauce brand you use.

Although both dishes are made with a sweet and sour sauce, they are not the same.
Instant Pot sweet and sour chicken is made with classic Chinese flavors, while orange chicken typically contains a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger and orange juice or zest.
Additionally, instant pot sweet and sour chicken usually includes vegetables like bell peppers or pineapple.

Since first sharing this Instant Pot version of sweet and sour chicken… it has come to my attention that there are two types of Sweet and Sour sauce and this was at one point confusing my readers.
For this Sweet and Sour Chicken Instant Pot recipe, you need to use Sweet and Sour stir fry sauce not dipping sauce.
The dipping sauce is too thick, this would need to be diluted with water which would make the recipe blander and less tasty.
Using a jar of stir fry sweet and sour sauce will work much better as the consistency is just right for pressure cooking without the need to add extra water.
Adding extra water could result in soggy chicken which is tasteless.
There is also the option to make a homemade sweet and sour sauce as instructed below.

Yes, you can certainly use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast in this Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe.
To ensure that the meat is cooked through saute for a minute longer than you would Chicken breast. Then follow the instructions for the rest of the recipe.

Yes, some people love the added texture of pineapple chunks in their Sweet and Sour Chicken.
You can cut fresh pineapple chunks or use canned pineapple.
Be sure to drain any pineapple juice first and add the Pineapple pieces at the end after the Sweet and Sour Chicken has finished pressure cooking.

If you want to add a little spice to this recipe try adding half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture.

If your Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken sauce turns out too watery, there are a few different ways to thicken the sauce.
One option is to add corn starch slurry, which consists of equal parts cornstarch and cold water. To make the slurry, gently stir 1-2 tablespoons of corn starch into the sauce until it is well incorporated.
You can let the Instant Pot cook for a few more minutes on saute mode until the sauce thickens.
Another option is to mix one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of flour, then add this mixture to your Instant Pot just

Yes, sweet and sour sauce can go bad. To prevent this, store your sweet and sour sauce in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the refrigerator.
It’s best to use within 3-4 days after making it, but you can also freeze any leftovers that you do not use right away for later enjoyment.

Yes, you can freeze Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken. Let the meat cool to room temperature before freezing in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply let sit in the refrigerator overnight until completely thawed.

To reheat, heat on the stove over medium-high heat until warmed through, stirring gently as needed to prevent burning.

Yes, you can certainly cook Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken in the crock pot. Simply cook the chicken first and place into the slow cooker with the sweet and sour sauce, slow cooking for 2-3 hours.

To bake Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken breast pieces on a baking sheet, and spread them out evenly.
Then, top with sweet and sour sauce, making sure to completely cover all of the chicken pieces. Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!
So, whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or want to wow your friends with a delicious Instant Pot recipe, Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken is sure to be a crowd-pleasing dish that is sure to become a favorite dish on the family dinner menu.

Yes, most traditonal sweet and sour sauce recipes are gluten-free. However, it’s important to check the ingredients label of your favorite store-bought brands to confirm whether or not they are gluten-free.
Some common ingredients used in sweet and sour sauces that may contain gluten include soy sauce, wheat flour, and barley malt extract. If you prefer to make your own sauce, you can easily make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and cornstarch as a thickener.
Additionally, you can choose other gluten-free stir-fry ingredients like rice noodles, quinoa or cauliflower rice, and fresh veggies for a healthy, gluten-free meal.

To make Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Pork, use pork pieces instead of chicken breast and follow the recipe exactly the same way you would when using the chicken.

To make Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs, simply combine your favorite pre-cooked meatballs with a sweet and sour sauce, using the Instant Pot to cook them until they are heated through.

To make Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Fish, start by marinating your fish fillets in a sweet and sour sauce of your choice. Then, transfer the fish to the Instant Pot and any additional ingredients you may want, such as chopped vegetables or rice noodles. Pressure cook for 2 minutes.
You can also add in additional veggies or rice for a complete meal that is sure to please the whole family!