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Easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken | Mommy's Home Cooking
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Easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken

This Easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken is sweet, citrusy, tender, slightly spicy and OH SO delicious! This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s also eggless. Better than any take-out. Pressure cooker and slow cooker directions included. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 383kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken:

For the orange sauce:

Instructions

Make the sauce:

  • Zest 2 oranges. Reserve zest.
  • Place orange juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, Chinese wine, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, cayenne pepper, and orange zest in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Make the chicken:

  • Place the cornstarch, salt, and pepper together in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake until the chicken is well-coated.
  • Turn the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté" mode, adjust heat to more. When hot, add oil. Add the chicken in batches, making sure not to crowd the pot, and cook about 2 minutes per side, or until the cornstarch coating is slightly crispy and dry. Transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with any remaining chicken. Press "cancel". NOTE: You can also sauté the chicken in a skillet over the stove
  • Return chicken to the pot and pour sauce over it. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, close pressure valve and select "manual" or "high pressure" and cook for 10 minutes.
  • When the time is over, carefully turn the valve to "venting" to release the pressure. Then remove the lid. Press "Cancel".
  • Turn the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté" mode, adjust heat to normal. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no lumps. Pour mixture over the chicken; mix to combine. Simmer for 1 - 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Serve chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.

Slow Cooker:

  • Follow the same steps to make the sauce and to saute the chicken. If your slow cooker does not have "saute" mode you might need to do that over the stove. 
  • Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours on the LOW setting or 45 minutes to 1 hour on the HIGH setting., or until chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Notes

 
Store: leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
Recipe Notes:
If you don't have or find, the Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) substitute with dry sherry.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the sauce to your liking. ¼ teaspoon was too much heat for my kids so I am planning to add just a pinch next time.
 Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate and it can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 657mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 24.3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.8mg