Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (2024)

ThisInstant Pot Orange Chickenis tastier and healthier than Chinese take-out! This recipe is kid approved and couldn’t be easier.

Quick Navigation

  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Step-by-step video
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • What chicken to use
  • Using frozen chicken
  • How to make orange zest
  • Is this gluten-free?
  • Pairing suggestions
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

Can I be real with you for a second? I usually don’t like take-out orange chicken…I know…don’t hate me.

This instant pot orange chicken is the perfecttakeout fake-out. It’s healthier, there’s no soggy, thick breading, and it’s SUPER quick and easy.

Don’t have an instant pot? Try my crockpot orange chicken instead!

Ingredients

Freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest are my secret ingredients to making this orange chicken really pop!

  • Chicken Broth– moistens and flavors the chicken and acts as the base for the sauce.
  • Orange Juice– adds a citrusy sweet tang. Use freshly squeezed for the best results!
  • Seasoned Rice Vinegar– gives a tangy flavor. Don’t substitute with another vinegar! It’s not as potent as other vinegars.
  • Soy Sauce– provides a salty, Asian-inspired flavor. Gluten free? Replace with equal parts tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Honey– adds sweetness to cut the tang and spice. Feel free to add more if the dish ends up spicier than you like.
  • Garlic– rounds out the citrus and tangy flavors with a subtle nutty taste.
  • Grated Orange Zest– provides an extra citrus kick.
  • Red Pepper Flakes– adds some heat.
  • Ground Ginger and Black Pepper – gives the dish the perfect amount of spice and flavor.
  • Chicken Breast– or chicken thigh, if preferred. Whatever you use, be sure you’re using boneless, skinless chicken.
  • Cornstarch– thickens the sauce.
  • Green Onion, Cilantro, Sesame Seeds, and Rice (optional) – for serving.

Pro tip

Can’t find seasoned rice vinegar? Try another vinegar – apple cider or distilled white – but only use 1/4 of what the recipe calls for. Other vinegars are more potent than rice vinegar.

How to make

The instant pot is the crockpot for people who don’t plan ahead. GENIUS! 😉

  1. Whisk together broth, orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, orange zest, red pepper flakes, ground ginger, and black pepper together in a bowl. Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (2)
  2. Pour half the liquid mixture into your instant pot. Place chicken breasts into pot and pour remaining sauce on top.Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (3)
  3. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes then remove chicken and set aside.Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (4)
  4. Whisk together cornstarch and additional orange juice in a small bowl and pour that mixture into the instant pot. Add chicken back in and sauté then simmer until sauce is thickened.Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (5)
  5. Shred chicken with two forks then serve and enjoy!Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (6)

Pro tip

You’ll set the timer on the instant pot but it needs to come to pressure before it actually starts counting down. The first few times I tried using my instant pot, I thought it was broken. 😉

What chicken to use

I use boneless and skinless chicken breasts, because that’s what I always have on hand. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs which tend to be cheaper and more tender.

Keep in mind, using chicken thighs may affect the cook time so be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F before serving.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (7)

Can you use frozen chicken?

I always use fresh chicken but you can also use frozen chicken if that’s all you have available. Simply follow the directions, as listed, but set your instant pot to 25 minutes at high pressure instead of 12. (*not tested)

How to make orange zest

Zesting an orange couldn’t be easier. Clean and dry the orange thoroughly first, then use a microplane to shave off the outer orange layer of the peel.

Pro tip

Avoid the white part of the peel. It’s bitter!

Is orange chicken gluten-free?

This orange chicken recipe can easily be made gluten free. Just sub the soy sauce for a gluten-free variety such as tamari or coconut aminos.

As always, verify that all the ingredients you use are certified gluten-free.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (8)

What to serve with orange chicken

I served this over cauliflower rice but brown or white rice or even quinoa would also be absolutely delicious.

I also love to whip up a couple of Asian-inspired side dishes to bulk up my meal!

  • Asian Roasted Broccoli
  • Egg Drop Soup

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (9)

How to store

After the chicken has completely cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat, just pop it in the microwave or warm it in a pan on the stove!

Fresh orange flavor and tender chicken—exactly how great orange chicken should be! Who’s ready for some instant pot orange chicken?!

– Jennifer

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (10)

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

ThisInstant Pot Orange Chickenis tastier and healthier than Chinese take-out! This recipe is kid approved and couldn't be easier.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 people

Print Pin Rate Recipe

Equipment for this recipe

(equipment shown are affiliate links)

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup seasonedrice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce or gluten free alternative
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest about 1 orange worth
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts I use 3 (8 oz) chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2-4 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Green onion sliced for garnish
  • Cilantro chopped for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Cauliflower rice, brown rice, etc for serving

Recipe Video

Instructions

  • Grease Instant Pot with cooking spray. Set aside.

  • Whisk together broth, 1/4 cup orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, orange zest, red pepper flakes, ground ginger, and black pepper.

  • Pour half into Instant Pot.

  • Place in chicken breasts.

  • Pour remaining sauce over chicken breasts.

  • Cover and lock lid (ensure steam releasing handle is pointing to “sealing").


  • Cook using the manual button (set to high pressure) and adjust timer on the Instant Pot to 12 minutes.*

  • The Instant Pot will beep when it's finished. 
Flip the valve to "venting" for a quick release.


  • Remove chicken and set aside.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with 2-4 tablespoons of orange juice.***

  • Whisk that mixture into the Instant Pot.

  • Press the saute button on the Instant Pot and bring the sauce to a simmer.

  • Add chicken back in and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.

  • Shred the chicken directly in the pot as the sauce is thickening.

  • Taste and re-season, if necessary and serve!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

Rate This Recipe

STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:2-3 Months

Reheat:Reheat on stovetop or in microwave until 165ºF

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

*Cooking time varies on size of chicken breasts, 12 was good for me for 3 (8 oz) breasts. But you can always add more time from there, by closing the lid, sealing, and cooking for an additional 2-5 minutes.

**It takes time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, THEN the timer will start counting down from 12 minutes.

***Less liquid and you’ll have a thicker sauce, more liquid and it’ll be a little thinner.

People Also Viewed

Instant Pot

Instant Pot Mexican Chicken

Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Chili

Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Crockpot

Crockpot Sesame Chicken Recipe

Crockpot

Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Chicken

Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 286 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1978mg86%

Potassium 786mg22%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 39g78%

Vitamin A 480IU10%

Vitamin C 20.8mg25%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: chicken breast, healthy, instant pot

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Chinese

This post was originally published February 20, 2018 and has been updated to provide more detailed content.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe - Ready in 30 Minutes! (2024)

FAQs

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it in an Instant Pot? ›

This dinner staple cooks up perfectly every time in the Instant Pot. You can aim for firm but juicy chicken for cubing, or let it cook a little bit longer for tender shredded chicken.

Can you overcook chicken in a Instapot? ›

Because chicken breast is so lean, just a couple of extra minutes of cook time turns them from juicy to overcooked and dry. Thighs, on the other hand, are a fattier cut, and not prone to dry out as quickly even after an extra minute or two of cooking.

Why does my Instant Pot chicken taste rubbery? ›

Why is my Instant Pot Chicken rubbery? If your chicken is rubbery it's overcooked. Choose to cook chicken breasts that are similar in size and weight to ensure the cooking time is appropriate for your IP chicken. An inexpensive kitchen scale is extremely helpful in preventing overcooking IP chicken breast meat.

How do you know when chicken is cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

Open the pot, then use a digital thermometer to check the thickest part of a piece of chicken—it should be at least 165oF. If the chicken is not quite up to temperature, put the lid back on with the vent closed and cook for another minute or two.

How do you keep chicken from getting tough in Instant Pot? ›

The key to getting perfectly juicy boneless chicken breasts is to cook them on a trivet, above the liquid. I find that this results in a better texture than cooking them on the bottom of the pot. I also think their texture is best when you quickly release the pressure, rather than letting it naturally release.

Why did my chicken burn in Instant Pot? ›

An improperly sealed lid can cause the Instant Pot to just cook and cook your contents as it attempts to reach pressure. This will lead to scorching and then a burn notice. Make sure that you're using enough liquid.

Is it better to pressure cook or slow cook chicken? ›

So can a Crock-Pot cook better chicken than an Instant Pot? Well, it really depends on what you're making. The Instant Pot cooks chicken much faster than its non-pressure counterparts, but the resulting texture isn't going to be the same as what you'd get with a slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Is pressure cooked chicken healthy? ›

Pressure cooking heats chicken to high temperatures for a short period. This cooking method retains vitamins, reduces cholesterol oxidation, and produces minimal or no HAAs, PAHs, or AGEs.

How long should I pressure can raw chicken? ›

Once you're getting 4 “jiggles” per minute, or your dial gauge has come up to pressure, start your timer and process the chicken. If you're canning pint jars, you will process them for 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes). If you're using quart jars, you will process for 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

What makes the chicken chewy in the Instant Pot? ›

If you used thinner pieces of chicken or did not adjust the cook time to the correct weight, it can result in dry and chewy chicken. You can salvage your chicken by serving it with a sauce to add moisture and flavor. How long does chicken need to be in the Instant Pot?

Can I put undercooked chicken back in Instant Pot? ›

If by chance you find that your chicken is undercooked, never fear – you can split the chicken into a couple of smaller pieces to speed things along, and return it to the pot with Slow Cooker or Saute mode turned on until it's cooked through.

Why does chicken taste weird all of a sudden? ›

Dysgeusia is a type of taste disorder that causes food to taste different than it should. It is often caused by a temporary condition such as a cold, allergies, or pregnancy. However, it is sometimes caused by something long-term such as dementia or Parkinson's disease.

Does chicken need to be submerged in Instant Pot? ›

chicken requires 18 minutes of high pressure cooking. Add 6 minutes of cooking time per additional pound. Note: You can submerge your chicken directly in the cooking liquid, especially if you want to make chicken stock. However, the steamer basket method ensures crispy skin and won't wash away the seasoning.

What do you do with the liquid after cooking chicken in Instant Pot? ›

Save the liquid at the bottom of your instant pot after cooking for a yummy and flavorful homemade chicken broth! For shredded chicken: Remove the trivet after cooking, and leave about ½ cup of liquid at the bottom of your pot.

Can chicken be a little pink? ›

Safely cooked poultry can vary in color from white to pink to tan. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

Does Instant Pot make meat more tender? ›

All Cuts of Meat Can Become More Tender in a Pressure Cooker

But there's more to tender meat than simply choosing a particular cut. As you'll know, starting with great ingredients is a must, but how you treat them in the cooking process is also of paramount importance.

Does the amount of meat change the cooking time in Instant Pot? ›

Pressure cooking cooks each piece of food equally. That means that each piece of chicken (2, 4 or 8) will require the same cooking time, and so will each grain of rice. That's because the pressure cooking time is determined by the size and not the quantity of food.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6649

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.