Healthier Instant Pot General Tso Chicken Recipe is lighter version of General Tso chicken. Deep fried chicken is replaced with sauted chicken and half the calories to your take-out order. It’s got the sweet, sticky, spicy perfection without deep frying chicken pieces. You won’t miss a thing. Try it once, you’ll be hooked.
1.5lbschicken thighsskin less, bone less cut into 1.5 inch cubes
2tablespooncanola oil
General Tso Sauce –
1tablespoongarlic minced
1tablespoonginger minced
1tablespoonred chili sauce
1table spoon hoisin sauce
1tablespoonlight soy sauce
2tablespoonChinese wine Shaoxing wine or any sherry
2teaspoonlemon juice
2tablespoonbrown sugar
⅓cupchicken stock
2teaspooncorn starch
5-6dried red chilies or 3 fresh Thai red chilies
¼cupscallion
Salt and pepper
Garnish
Green onions
Toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
Set instant pot to SAUTE mode.
Add cubes chicken and saute for a minute or until it changes it’s color.
Add ginger garlic and continue to saute and cook.
Add dried red chilies, scallions, hoisin sauce, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, Zhenjiang vinegar or Chinese wine vinegar, Lemon juice, Chili sauce (optional), Salt and pepper. Give a quick stir.
Add 5-7 tablespoons chicken stock. Cover lid.
Select POULTRY setting and adjust timer to 5 minutes.Note – I tested twice with chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) for 10 minutes cooking time and I found that the chicken get over cooked and they turned almost like shredded chicken.5 minutes for chicken thighs or chicken breasts works best for me. Select 5 minutes first when you make this recipe, once cooking time is done, open lid and test a chicken piece but piercing with a fork. If it tears/cut smooth then you chicken is cooked well. If 5 minutes POULTRY setting ends up with under-cooked chicken, select SAUTE mode and let the pot simmer for few more minutes with lid off until chicken is cooked through. In case you pot turns dry, pour about 5-7 tablespoons chicken stocks and allow chicken to cook.Pro-Tip : Do not cut chicken pieces too small, keep them atleast 1.5 inch cubes. You don’t want to end up with General Tso shredded chicken.
Once instant pot cycle is complete, wait for 5 minutes for NATURAL release. Then turn valve to VENTING position for QUICK release. Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the instant pot.
Whisk flour with little water. Pour it into pot, instant pot set on SAUTE mode. Let it simmer for few minutes as the sauce thickens.
Garnish with chives and sesame seeds.Serve hot with white rice or cauliflower rice for low carb options.
Video
Notes
I recommend you use chicken thighs over chicken breasts.
The sauce ingredients quantity can be adjusted according to your taste. The number of chilies mentioned in the recipe gives medium spicy sauce (note - I have a palate for spicy food). Adjust the numbers to suit your spice tolerance level.
Do not cut chicken pieces too small, keep them atleast 1.5 inch cubes. You don’t want to end up with General Tso shredded chicken.
Note – Tested twice with chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) with for 10 minutes cooking time and found that chicken gets over cooked and they turned almost like shredded chicken.
Select 5 minutes first when you make this recipe If 5 minutes POULTRY setting ends up with under cooked chicken, select SAUTE mode, simmer chicken for couple of more minutes until it's cooked through. In case you pot turns dry, pour about 5-7 tablespoons chicken stocks and allow chicken to cook.
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.