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    Home » Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

    Published: Jan 17, 2021 · Modified: Apr 30, 2022 by Mélanie · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Easy Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken

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    Jump to:
    • 🔪 How Do I Make It?
    • 📋 Variations
    • 💭 Helpful Q&A
    • 📖 Easy Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken

    This Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken recipe is a family favorite. It is so easy to make and prepare in only one pot, the perfect weekday meal that will make you skip take-out. Served over white rice, you'll love this sticky sweet, and tangy chicken.

    Cooking in the Instant Pot is a real-time saver and is really a great option for busy weeknights or meal prep. Have you gotten yours yet? I love cooking chicken in it like my whole bbq roasted chicken. Anything Instant Pot chicken is a great quick option.

    This delicious meal with an Asian flair is perfect to pair with steamed vegetables such as broccoli or beans.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Close up of a sweet and sour chicken chunk between chop sticks

    🔪 How Do I Make It?

    This sweet and sour chicken breast recipe is all about the sauce. There are actually 2 main steps to this recipe.

    - First, you'll need to take care of the chicken. Pat it dry, cut it into chunks, roll in flour, and here it goes in the egg wash. Using the sauté mode on the Instant Pot, cook the chicken bites in a little olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes and set aside. That part is done.

    - Next, let's prepare the sauce. You will need some fresh garlic, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, some soy sauce, and olive oil. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.

    Top view of chicken being rolled in flour, dish of whisked eggs and instant pot
    Top view of the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce

    - Now, get let's finish this recipe for sweet and sour chicken! In your Instant Pot, place your chicken first and pour your sauce on top. Put your Instant Pot on High Pressure and program for 8 minutes.

    - In the meantime, take some cornstarch and add a little bit of water, stir well so there is no lump.

    PRESSURE RELEASE: 2 ways

    Once the 8 minutes are over, your IP will beep. Now, you can do a quick pressure release by pressing the quick-release button and the steam will come out of the valve. It is really hot, be careful.

    If you don’t do this right away, your IP will go on ‘keep warm’ mode and start a natural pressure release. It takes longer but if you are doing something else, it is doing the job for you.

    Side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top

    Lastly, open the lid and pour your water/cornstarch mix. Stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate. Leaving the lid off, put your Instant Pot on Sauté mode. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Serve over some white rice, and sprinkle with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.

    📋 Variations

    You can make your own version of this sweet and sour chicken Instant Pot.

    Spice it up: Add some red pepper flakes to your sauce. I don't handle the heat very well but go ahead!

    Fruit anyone? Some versions of this easy sweet n sour chicken recipe include some pineapple chunks or some pineapple juice in the sauce. Will you make it fruity and sweeter?

    More veggies? Some. bell peppers will pair well if you want to add a vegetable.

    Top view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top

    💭 Helpful Q&A

    How long can I store my sweet and sour chicken?

    You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. This is also a great meal to freeze, I would not keep it for more than 2 months in the freezer. To serve, allow to thaw out completely and warm up in the microwave for a few minutes.

    Why is my chicken rubbery in the Instant Pot? Did you cook it long enough?

    This recipe calls for thawed-out chicken. If you used frozen meat or a different piece of chicken, it could require a longer cooking time and therefore be chewier.

    How long should you cook chicken in the Instant Pot?

    When you buy your Instant Pot, you get a card to guide you in the cooking times. My rule of thumb is 8-10 minutes per pound.

    Is this the same as Instant Pot orange chicken?

    It is very similar in the preparation but the flavours are different than this chicken's sweet and sour sauce.

    Top view of a sweet and sour sauce bowl and cooked chicken chunks in a plate

    More Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love

    Effortless Instant Pot Basmati Rice: Serve this Sweet and sour pork with this simple rice.

    Instant Pot Bbq Chicken: Easy peasy recipe, perfect for a weekday meal and dinners made with leftovers.

    Instant Pot Bone Broth: Perfect use of the chicken carcass or any other bone! Homemade broth is so good for you and it tastes so much better than the store-bought version.

    More Chicken Recipes You should Try

    French Basque Chicken: Delicious and even better warmed up as the flavours have blended even more together.

    Carrot and Chicken patties: Use your leftovers and make lunch for the next day.

    Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas: Again using your leftovers is always a great way to make a brand new lunch!

    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top
    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    📖 Easy Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken

    This Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken recipe is a family favourite. It is so easy to make and prepare in only one pot, the perfect weekday meal that will make you skip take-out. Served over white rice, you’ll love this sticky sweet, and tangy chicken.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Asian
    Servings: 6 portions
    Calories: 241kcal
    Author: Mélanie

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound chicken breast raw, thawed out
    • 4 tablespoon flour
    • 2 eggs medium size
    • salt to taste
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 4 tablespoon ketchup
    • 150 ml apple cider vinegar (10 tbsp)
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoon water

    Instructions

    • Take the chicken breast (raw), pat it dry, cut it into chunks. Season with salt, to taste.
    • Prepare 2 shallow dishes, one for flour. One with the 2 eggs, beaten.
    • Roll your chicken chunks in flour, and then the egg wash.
    • Turn your Instant Pot (IP) on the Sauté mode. After 2-3 minutes when it's hot, drizzle with olive oil and cook the chicken bites 1-2 minutes on each side.
    • Repeat until all the chicken pieces are done and set aside. That part is done. Turn off your IP.
    • Next, prepare the sauce, in a medium size bowl: chop the garlic, add the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil.
    • Stir all the ingredients together. Set aside.
    • In your Instant Pot, place your cooked chicken chunks first and pour your sauce on top.
    • Program your Instant Pot on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
    • While it cooks, pour the cornstarch in a small bowl or ramekin and add a little bit of water, stir well so there is no lump.
    • Once the 8 minutes are over, your IP will beep. Now, you can do a quick pressure release by pressing the quick-release button and the steam will come out of the valve. It is really hot, be careful.
    • Open the lid and add your water/cornstarch mix. Stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate.
    • Leaving the lid off, put your Instant Pot on Sauté mode. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Your sauce will thickened.
    • Serve over white rice and with some steam vegetables. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Remember to read the blog post for variations ideas, tips, and tricks to this recipe. Thank you!
    petitporcini.com

    Nutrition

    Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 374mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @petitporcini or tag #PetitPorcini!

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    Comments

    1. Tara Noland says

      January 23, 2021 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      This looks delicious, can't wait to try it!!

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        January 23, 2021 at 11:25 am

        Thank you so much Tara!

        Reply
    2. Claudia says

      October 04, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      What a great instant pot recipe I just love sweet and sour chicken thanks 😊

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        October 06, 2021 at 2:58 pm

        We do too! So flavourful!

        Reply
    3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      October 05, 2021 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      These look so much better than take out and got to love our Instant pots for recipes like this. Sweet and sour is my husband's favorite.

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        October 06, 2021 at 2:59 pm

        It is such a success each time I make it!

        Reply
    4. Tatiana says

      October 05, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      My kids absolutely love this chicken when we go to Chinese take out place. Followed your recipe and made it in Instant pot, turned out delicious

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        October 06, 2021 at 2:59 pm

        This makes me so happy Tatiana!

        Reply
    5. Gail Montero says

      October 05, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      Sweet and sour dishes are right up my alley! Love that this cooks so quickly in the instant pot. YUM!

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        October 06, 2021 at 3:00 pm

        Me too! Perfect for a weekday meal!

        Reply
    6. Swathi says

      October 05, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      Instant pot sweet and sour chicken looks delicious perfect bite size treat with a bowl of rice.

      Reply
      • Mélanie says

        October 06, 2021 at 3:00 pm

        Agreed!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Bonjour! I’m Mélanie!

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    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top
    Close up of a sweet and sour chicken chunk between chop sticks
    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top
    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top
    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top
    Close side view of 2 brown bowls with sweet and sour chicken served over white rice, some chop sticks on top

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