Description
A quick and healthy spin on a classic Chinese dish, this Instant Pot Orange Chicken is packed with fresh flavors and ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 blend)
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. oil (olive or avocado)
- 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp. ginger paste (or fresh, minced)
- ¾ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 Tbsp. orange zest
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce (Tamari or coconut liquid aminos)
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1–2 tsp. chili garlic paste
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds, green onions
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine chicken cubes, flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 blend), salt, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
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Make the Sauce
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce (Tamari or coconut liquid aminos), brown sugar (or coconut sugar), and chili garlic paste. Set aside.
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Sauté Aromatics
- Turn on your Instant Pot’s Sauté function. Add olive oil and toasted sesame oil. Once hot, stir in minced garlic and ginger paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes, or until fragrant.
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Cook the Chicken
- Add the coated chicken cubes to the pot. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent burning.
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Combine Everything
- Pour the prepared orange sauce over the chicken, lifting the pieces gently to avoid sticking. Stir well to ensure the chicken is fully coated.
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Pressure Cook
- Seal the lid and set the pressure valve to closed. Use the Manual/Pressure Cook function on high pressure for 5 minutes. Afterward, allow a 10-minute natural release before venting.
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Serve
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over basmati rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sodium: 991 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Protein: 25 g