Instant Pot Orange Chicken

This is the best healthy 3 ingredient Instant Pot orange chicken recipe (no breading) made in just 4 minutes. We have made this with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs and either way it turns out delicious with orange marmelade and bbq sauce.

Frozen Orange Chicken Instant Pot

I have used small breasts for frozen chicken in Instant Pot this way first, and then this mixture of sauces later. You could add them at the beginning but the cook time would change to 12 minutes with a 3 minute natural release. Thawed meat is better cut into bite size pieces as directed because the flavor is more intense.

You don’t have to have an IP brand. It’s one of our favorite Ninja Foodi recipes too using the lid that is not attached. As long as you have an electric pressure cooker then you are set. Served over a bed of rice it is so good, and in our regular rotation.

I have to say that this may be our favorite quick and easy meal! I’ve made Crockpot orange chicken for years but now with this favorite 7 in 1 appliance I can make it much faster. You only need 3 ingredients for the main ones with another that is optional. Add heat with some spicy seasonings if you like or just leave sweet.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken breasts or thighs should be boneless and skinless in order to be diced into bite size pieces. This is key to getting the meat to really absorb all of those wonderful flavors in the sauce.

Barbecue sauce of your choice is used for the rest of the sauce. I love sweet Rays original style. Do NOT use honey style as is not best in pressure cookers as there is a lot of sugar content and can cause the burn notice to appear.

Orange marmelade is what gives it that classic flavor. You can find it near the rest of the jams and jellys in the grocery store. It is pretty potent (with zest included) so you can adjust more or less depending on how tart you want it to be.

If you have ever had this jam on toasts you know it is wonderful. Using it as a sauce for chicken is even better. Similar to our pressure cooker apricot chicken but that one has an apricot twist to it of course. Same idea, fruit spread with tender meat and WOW.

Optional Add-Ins

You could add some white onions diced or sliced, they are a great add in we think to add a bit more texture. They will soften under high pressure quite nicely. To make spicy you can use red pepper flakes or chili powder which you likely have in your cupboard already.

Soy sauce is optional but I would highly suggest using it to counteract the sweetness, you could use the low sodium variety

You could add a bit of chives or green onion to the top and serve it over rice! We call this “sweet chicken” in our house and my kids all love it! Cornstarch can be whisked in at the end if you want to thicken sauce.

This is how to make the perfect Instant Pot white rice to serve this on top of. Next time you go to the store, pick up these few items and give it a whirl this week!

Tips for Success

This entire thing is easy to adjust to your liking. Want intense fruit flavors, add a decent amount of marmelade. Use less if you want a hint. The soy sauce counteracts the sweetness to add more of a savory element. If you want some heat do so a little at a time. Add 1/4 tsp when cooking, taste when done, and can add another 1/4 if you want to intensify.

We use 1/4 cup of marmelade but if you like bold flavors then you can increase that to 1/3 or 1/2 of a cup.  If you have a larger household just double it too. I will say that it is pretty intense so start with what is listed below and adjust the next go around if you feel like you want to use a heavier hand.

Made with Frozen Chicken

If cooking all together as directed your frozen chicken would need to be previously cut up into small bite size pieces. Then they need to be separated so they don’t start out in one solid thick clump. It won’t cook all the way thru if this is the case.

If there are a few of them together, run under cool water and use your hands to break them apart. You will want to use small to medium sizes if using whole. Timing will need to be adjusted to 12 minutes for these, I would only add 4 max.

How to Thicken the Sauce

Keep in mind that the sauce thickens as it sits so you don’t need a lot of cornstarch. Just add a bit into a small bowl with some of your hot liquid if you really feel like you need it. If you do I would remove your chicken first and set aside. Leave the sauce in there and set to the saute function. It will begin to bubble. Whisk a bit of that liquid in a small bowl with your arrowroot or corn starch until smooth. Pour it in and let it bubble as you stir. It doesn’t take much or long for the texture of it to change.

Before you make it, watch the video in the recipe card first so that you can see how I have made it year after year, then you will be able to throw it together easily yourself. Adjust the heat as you like but be light handed at first as a little goes a long way with that if you ask me.

What to Serve With

• We typically serve it over Jasmine Ninja Foodi rice.
• Cauliflower rice would be a low carb and gluten free option as well
• Brown rice is a healthier option

Other Instant Pot Meals You’ll Love

Find many more Instant Pot recipes on our site using the tab at the top of our main page. There are a few more Instant Pot chicken recipes below too!

• Instant Pot chicken parmesan casserole is a great one pot meal with pasta, meat and sauce cooked together at the same time.
• Pressure cooker chicken and rice is one of the most popular recipes on The Typical Mom
  • Creamy chicken and rice casserole is a bit different than the one above as it has some heavy cream in it
• Instant Pot butter chicken is an Indian favorite of ours served with some naan on the side.

If you love orange chicken flavors but want to skip some of the loaded calories from the breading, this is a great choice. We have directions for air fryer orange chicken too here now.

FAQ