Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe is a perfect all-in-one-pot meal that you can make in just 30 minutes. This is a perfect quick and easy dinner idea!

My favorite types of meals for dinner are all-in-one-pot recipes that are easy to prepare. Life is getting too busy to cook every day…so when creating this recipe you will have enough servings for multiple meals.

Since I purchased my Instant Pot, I tried to convert my stove top recipes to Instant Pot versions.

My favorite Orange Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is mouthwateringly delicious but takes at least two hours to cook. So I simplified the recipe for an Instant Pot while still keeping my signature sweet and sour flavor.

Also, if you like Instant Pot recipes, please check out these ones:

• Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf
• Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf

How to make Instant Pot Orange Chicken

This Instant Pot Orange chicken recipe is easy to make and takes only about 30 minutes.

First, I like to well season diced chicken with salt and pepper, mixing it thoroughly.

Then prepare your orange chicken marinade. For orange juice, you can use the juice from fresh oranges. However, I noticed that boxed orange juice works better for this recipe as it gives the most flavor.

Also, to sweeten the sauce, I like to use a mix of brown sugar and maple syrup. The last ingredient makes a big difference in enriching flavor, so I highly recommend you to use it!

To make the sauce, just mix orange juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes together in a mixing bowl.

After the first two steps are done, set your Instant Pot to Sauté on high heat by pressing “sauté” button twice. I like to brown the chicken in three batches, not to overcrowd the pot. Otherwise, your chicken will boil in released juices instead of sautéing to achieve a beautiful golden color. So, sauté each batch of diced and seasoned chicken for about 5 minutes until it has a beautiful golden color. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through, since we are going to cook it again.

Add all the sautéed chicken in Instant Pot, pour the marinade and mix it. Cover with a lid and cook on Manual high pressure for 7 minutes. Make sure that the venting knob is turned to “Sealing”!

When it is done, let the pot naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes. Then switch the knob to venting position to release the steam. Make sure the steam is fully released and the valve is completely down before opening the pot!

Set the Instant Pot to sauté again. As soon as the liquid starts boiling, add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup of water. Continue to boil until the sauce thickens to the right consistency.

I like to serve Orange Chicken with rice and broccoli. Also, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.

Enjoy your delicious quick and easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken!

4.84 from 6 votes

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Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe is a perfect all-in-one-pot meal that you can make in just 30 minutes. This is a perfect quick and easy dinner idea!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Chinese

Keyword: orange chicken

Servings: 6 people

Author: Veronika's Kitchen

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken breasts, diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

1. Dice the chicken breasts in to bite size pieces. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

2. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes.

3. Set Instant Pot to Sauté on high heat by pressing “sauté” button twice. Sauté chicken in three batches for about 5 minutes, until golden color. After the chicken is done, scoop it out to a different bowl.

4. Add sautéed chicken back to Instant Pot and add orange marinade.

5. Cover with a lid and cook on Manual high pressure for 7 minutes. Make sure that the venting knob is turned to “Sealing”!

6. When it is done, let it naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes. Then switch the knob to venting position and release the steam. Make sure the steam is fully released and the valve is completely down before opening the pot!

7. Set the Instant Pot to sauté again. As soon as the liquid starts boiling, add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup of water. Continue to boil until the sauce thickens to the right consistency.

Recipe Video