Chinese General TSO's Chicken

Name: Instant Pot General Tso's Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 cup chicken broth or water; 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional; 1 tablespoon cold water, optional; Sesame seeds, for garnish, optional; Chopped green onions, for garnish, optional

If you love Chinese takeout, you'll love this homemade General Tso's Chicken recipe! Tender, juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy homemade General Tso's sauce for an easy dinner packed with flavor. Serve it over warm rice for a delicious Chinese-inspired meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.

Cook Time

Servings

Difficulty

20 minutes

Easy

Prep Time

20 minutes

Ingredients

□ 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

□ 1/4 cup soy sauce
□ 2 tablespoons honey
□ 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
□ 2 tablespoons sesame oil
□ 2 cloves garlic, minced
□ 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
□ 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
□ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
□ 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
□ 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
□ 1 tablespoon cold water, optional
□ Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
□ Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Make the Sauce & Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Reserve half of the mixture for the cooking sauce.

Marinate the Chicken
Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour half of the sauce mixture over the chicken, turning to coat all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more flavor.

Sear the Chicken
Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add the vegetable oil. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Sear the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until lightly browned. Turn off the Sauté setting.

Pressure Cook
Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth or water into the Instant Pot and scrape the bottom well to loosen any browned bits. Place the chicken thighs in the pot and pour the reserved sauce mixture over the top. Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 8 minutes.

Release the Pressure
Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a Quick Release to release the remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, carefully open the lid.

Thicken the Sauce
Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. For a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the sauce and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.

Slice & Serve
Slice the chicken thighs into strips or bite-sized pieces and spoon the warm General Tso's sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve warm over rice.

RECIPE TIPS

Serve General Tso's Chicken over steamed jasmine or white rice and spoon plenty of the extra sauce over the top.
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, let them marinate for up to 4 hours.
Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot after searing the chicken to help prevent a Burn notice.
For a thicker, glossy sauce, use the optional cornstarch slurry after pressure cooking and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add more or less red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like your General Tso's Chicken.

Directions

General Tso's Chicken made with sliced chicken thighs in a glossy sweet and spicy sauce over white rice

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs. Keep in mind that chicken breasts are leaner, so they may not be quite as juicy as chicken thighs.

Do I have to marinate the chicken?

No, but marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes gives it more flavor. For the best results, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours.

Is General Tso's Chicken spicy?

This recipe has a mild kick from the red pepper flakes. Add more for extra heat or use less for a milder version.

Can I freeze General Tso's Chicken?

Yes. Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I make the sauce thicker?

Yes. Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth, then stir it into the sauce using the Sauté function. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.