Instant Pot Orange Chicken (Step-By-Step Recipe)

Step 1

Wash and blot dry the chicken with a paper towel. Then trim off excess fat. You could use kitchen shears. Then cut the chicken into bite-size chunks. Get the sauce ingredients ready as well.

Step 2

Turn the Instant Pot on and press the Sauté function key. Once hot, add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the chicken, salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring halfwayway. Then press Cancel to stop the Sauté function.

Step 3

Use 1/3 cup of orange juice to deglaze the pot. Simply pour it in and stir through with the thicken, scraping the bottom to make sure there are no bits of chicken stuck as these may cause a BURN notice.

Step 4

Combine orange zest, remaining orange juice, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice and Sriracha hot sauce. Pour the mixture into the Instant Pot over the chicken.

Step 5

Secure and lock the lid. make sure the pressure handle is pointing to Sealing on Duo Classic. Select Manual/Pressure Cook and adjust the timer to 4 minutes on HIGH pressure. After a few beeps/seconds, the ON sign will come on indicating the pot is heating up and the pressure is building; pressurizing will take about 3-5 minutes and then the 4-minute timer will begin.

Step 6

Once the timer is done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then use the quick release method to let off the remaining pressure (press the steam knob down or point to Venting on older models).

Step 7

Open the lid and stir the contents. The sauce will look a little thin at this stage. Press the Sauté setting button again. Stir in the brown sugar and let the sauce bubble for 5-6 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

Step 8

In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch or flour and water. Stir this cornstarch slurry into the Instant Pot and let the sauce thicken for a minute. Press Cancel to stop the Saute process.

Step 9

Taste for seasoning and add more salt or hot sauce if desired.  Serve over rice or noodles with favorite vegetables on the side.