Orange Chicken that's so much better than takeout! Tender chicken bites tossed in sticky sauce and citrus glaze is a kid-friendly meal that you can make in the Instant Pot any night of the week.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: copycat dinner recipe, instant pot chicken recipe, panda express orange chicken
2lbsbonelessskinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2Tablespoonsolive oil
1cuporange juice
1teaspoonground gigner
2clovesgarlicminced
½teaspoonsesame oil
1Tablespoontomato paste
1teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonblack pepper
½teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
⅓cuplight brown sugarpacked
⅓cupgranulated sugar
¼cupsoy sauce
For the glaze
3Tablespoonsorange juice
3Tablespoonscornstarch
Garnish
3green onionssliced
1orangezested
Instructions
In the Instant Pot on SAUTE, add the olive oil with chicken pieces. Saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is mostly cooked.
Add orange juice to the pot and using a wooden spoon, scrape up the bits on the bottom of the pot so you don't get the burn notice (this is called deglazing). Turn off.
Add ginger, garlic, sesame oil, tomato paste, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, sugars, and soy sauce to the pot. Do not stir.
Secure the lid and make sure the vent on top of the pot is set to "SEALING." Select High Pressure (or Manuel) for a cook time of 5 minutes.
When cook time ends, allow pot to naturally release pressure for ten minutes, then move the valve on top to "VENTING" to release the remaining pressure.
In a small bowl, whisk the orange juice with cornstarch. Open the lid, stir the chicken and add the slurry to the pot. Select "SAUTE" and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until thick and bubbly.
Turn off and allow to thicken for 5 minutes. Add sliced green onions and orange zest to the top. Serve over rice.
Notes
Recipe tested in 6 qt Instant Pot.
Swap out the chicken breasts for thighs if you prefer.
Store leftover orange chicken in an air tight container in the refrigerator. It'll keep for about 3 days.
Remember to scrape ALL the pieces of chicken from the bottom and sides of your pot before adding the rest of the sauce ingredients. This step prevents getting a "burn notice" when you pressure cook the orange chicken.