This Instant Pot Orange Chicken is the most popular chicken recipe on Corrie Cooks!
It is so easy to make and even if you are new to the pressure cooking, you can get a delicious meal in only 10 minutes!
This Instant Pot recipe is way better than takeout and saves you money too
Table of Contents
- Can I Use Frozen Chicken?
- Can I use chicken thighs?
- Recipe Video
- How to Zest an Orange?
- What can I do if I don't have oranges?
- Do I have do use cornstarch?
- Cornstarch substitute
- Can I use store-bought orange juice?
- Can I use store-bought orange chicken sauce?
- Can I add vegetables?
- Can I store the leftovers?
- Other tips
- Serving
- How to make
- More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Can I Use Frozen Chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken for this recipe of chicken in orange sauce.
I have received this question for other Instant Pot recipes with chicken, so I thought it’s best to cover it here as well.
However, the recipe asks for small cubes of chicken breast, so there are two options here. You either chop the chicken beforehand and freeze it like this to be used at a later date, or you use the Instant Pot to cook the frozen chicken first and only then cut it into bite-size pieces.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs for this Instant Pot orange chicken recipe.
Keep in mind that it’s best to use chicken breast, but you can replace it with chicken thighs if you’re in a pinch.
You can use chicken tenders as well.
Recipe Video
How to Zest an Orange?
In my book, zesting an orange is rather easy. But, if you’ve never done it, I should start by saying that the zest is the colored part of an orange’s peel.
It’s important to understand that you don’t need to take the yellow or white part of the peel when you’re zesting - just the orange part!
Now, you can use a grater, a paring knife, or a potato peeler, but if you want the zest to integrate nicely into the food (which is the case now) I recommend using a fine grater. If you want longer strips (like for decoration purposes), a knife or a potato peeler are better choices.
What can I do if I don't have oranges?
In the case you don’t have fresh oranges laying around, you can always use some substitutes such as dried zest (from a store or home-made), orange extract, or grated candied peel.
Do I have do use cornstarch?
As you can see in the recipe, that the sauce should have a nice, smooth, thick texture. To get there, you need to add a thickening agent. This is where the cornstarch comes in.
But if you don't have cornstarch or don't want to use it, it's fine.
Cornstarch substitute
If you don’t have cornstarch, you can always use flour. You will need to use 2 tablespoon of flour instead of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, as cornstarch is pure starch which has twice the thickening power of flour.
To make sure there won’t be any lumps, it’s best to mix the flour with a bit of cool liquid and only then add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce.
In our case, you can use water or orange juice. 1:1 ratio is enough. So 1 tablespoon of liquid for 1 tablespoon of flour.
Can I use store-bought orange juice?
It’s best to use fresh oranges to make the juice, but this pressure cooker recipe also works with store-bought orange juice.
Can I use store-bought orange chicken sauce?
You can buy orange chicken sauce at the store, but I wouldn’t recommend that. The sauce you make at home is ten times more delicious and healthier!
Can I add vegetables?
Sure! Feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms or green beans. Cooking time stays the same.
Can I store the leftovers?
Sure! Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I make it if I don't have an Instant Pot?
Yes. For step-by-step instructions and a video guide, check out this Orange Chicken recipe.
Other tips
- You also have the option to mix the boiled chicken breast with the sauce (skip the frying step). The result will be less crispy and maybe some of the flavors will be lost, but it’s a way to avoid the frying (for health purposes).
- A few minutes before the chicken is fully cooked, it’s best to add all the sauce ingredients (without the thickening agent) in a separate bowl and stir everything together. Then, you should add the mixture to the fried chicken.
Serving
This is a colorful dish and the sauce is a wonderful combination of sweet and spicy, so it works great with white rice.
Check out the Basmati rice, Jasmine rice or the brown rice if you are feeling healthy.
If you want to add more color and make it a bit more interesting, I recommend adding a few steamed vegetables on the plate. It works extremely well with broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower.
Also, don’t forget to sprinkle some fresh parsley or chives and some orange zest.
You can also top with sesame seeds or chopped green onion.
Looking for more ideas? check out What To Serve With Orange Chicken for 21 delicious side dishes.
How to make
Gather your ingredients:
Add oil into the Instant Pot and press sauté.
Add chicken and saute until browned.
Add tomato sauce and soy sauce.
Add orange juice, garlic powder, ginger, rice wine, and brown sugar. Stir gently.
Lock lid into place and cook chicken at high pressure for 5 minutes.
Do it by pressing the manual or the pressure cook button.
Once the cooking cycle is done, perform a quick pressure release.
Do it by pressing the steam release button or by moving the valve into the venting position.
Mix 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and pour the mixture over the chicken.
Saute for 2 minutes, until the sauce has reached the desired texture with no lumps.
Add some extra orange juice if the chicken is dry.
Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 orange zested
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Pour oil into the Instant Pot and press “Saute”.
- Add chicken cubes and saute for 5 minutes until brown.
- Add orange juice, tomato sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, rice wine, garlic powder, and orange zest and stir well.
- Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
- Open the lid and press “Saute” again.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, add it to the Instant Pot and stir.
- Saute for 2 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy 🙂
Are you supposed to use rice wine, or rice wine vinegar?
It tastes good with either! Rice wine is sweeter, while rice wine vinegar is more acidic but still a mild vinegar.
I have a new 3 qt instant pot. I just cook for myself, but I do like some leftovers. I want to try this but should I cut the recipe in half for my smaller instant pot? I know the liquids need to be less in the 3 qt. I'm just still learning how to use this wonderful appliance. I have made a meatloaf and a pork loin with veggies, but got the recipe3s from a mini cook book. Thanks for any help.
I think you should be able to make this full recipe in the small instant pot. You will have leftovers, but it's great leftover! Or, you can absolutely cut the recipe in half.
Came out fine with rice wine vinegar. Served it over white rice and broccoli florets.
Perfect, love it with rice and broccoli! Thank you for your comment.
I have had to omit all citrus from my diet. You mentioned using orange extract. How much would I use of that with this recipe?
If you are able to have orange extract, you can add just 1-2 tsp. for orange flavor. You may need to add more water or stock to make up for the liquid that is lost by not using the orange juice too.
Hey Corrie,
This looks delicious, is there something you can use instead of rice wine vinegar, or can you leave it out completely. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! I love the flavor of rice wine, but you could use rice wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar. I would not leave it out completely, because the acidity balances the dish.
Hi! How long does rice wine last? If I invest in some and use a tablespoon a week, will it go bad?? 🙂
Rice wine lasts quite a while. It will last at least 6 months in your pantry, or up to a year if refrigerated.
My family really enjoyed the refreshing orange taste for something different.
Easy to make and delicious. A++++
So glad you loved it! Thank you for the glowing endorsement 🙂
What is garlic powder minced? Is it minced garlic?
just so you know The orange chicken is a keeper and the whole family loved it. I served it over brown rice.
Thank you very much Deborah :]
One of your best recipes Corrie. Thank you very much
Happy to know ^_^