Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Name: Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 8 bone-in skinless chicken thighs (2 pounds); kosher salt; 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided; 1 large red onion, thinly sliced; 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice; 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest; 1/2 cup unseasoned rice wine vinegar; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth; 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger; 2 tablespoons honey; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 6 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed; white rice, for serving; toasted sesame seeds, for serving (optional); thinly sliced scallion, for serving (optional); orange slice, for serving (optional)

Submitted by norasingley

"Fresh and flavorful, this one pot recipe is sure to be a hit."

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Ready In:: 45mins
Ingredients:: 19
Serves:: 4

ingredients

8 bone-in skinless chicken thighs (2 pounds)
kosher salt
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
³⁄₄ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
¹⁄₂ cup unseasoned rice wine vinegar
¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
¹⁄₂ cup low sodium chicken broth
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
2 tablespoons honey
¹⁄₂ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
6 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed
white rice, for serving
toasted sesame seeds, for serving (optional)
thinly sliced scallion, for serving (optional)
orange slice, for serving (optional)

directions

Preheat Instant Pot to saute setting. Season chicken thighs with salt. Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil to pot, swirl to coat, and add chicken thighs in two batches so as not to overcrowd. Saute until golden, flipping once, about 4 minutes per side, transferring them to a large plate as they finish. Add remaining 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil and red onion. Season with salt and saute, stirring occasionally, until softened and onions turn golden in spots, about 5 minutes more. Add orange juice and zest, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, chicken broth, garlic, ginger, honey, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, scraping bottom of pan to deglaze. (You can also do this in a skillet over high heat; cooking time will be reduced.).
Place chicken thighs (and onion mixture, if you used a skillet on the stovetop) in pot, nestling them into as even a layer as possible.
Cover and cook on high pressure for 18 minutes. Release the pressure manually. Return Instant Pot to saute setting.
Transfer thighs to a plate and cover to keep warm. Place cornstarch in a medium bowl. Gradually ladle approximately ¼ cup of cooking liquid into cornstarch, whisking constantly until smooth. Pour cornstarch mixture back into the pot. Cook, whisking, until mixture has come to a boil and thickened slightly. Add snap peas and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until snap peas are crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with pan juices and rice, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired.

Questions & Replies

Do you think you could remove the honey? I am trying to watch carbs and figuring out a way to make this lower carb.

George S.
I want to use chicken breasts instead of thighs. What would the adjusted cooking time be for the Instant Pot?

Thismomswaybehind
What's an Instant Pot?

maryts
Can this be made in a crockpot if so how?

tramp
I don't have an Instant Pot. There are just 2 of us. What should I buy? I want to make this.

simplysistersharon8

see 2 more questions

Reviews

Needed a little salt but otherwise a good basic orange chicken.

DianaEatingRichly
This recipe was really pretty easy to make. I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Just change the cooking time to 8 min. for an instant pot. The sauce was very flavorful, chicken tender, and the sugar snap peas were a healthy colorful addition. This is a keeper!

Carol A.
My husband loved this recipe. Easy and delicious. thank you

Debra G.