Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

This homemade Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe is better than takeout and provides you with sticky, delicious chicken. You can enjoy all the classic flavors of Chinese but in the comfort of your own dining room. This sweet and sour chicken instant pot recipe is one that you’re going to want to keep nearby. It’s worth making on a regular basis because it tastes so good. 

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Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

I have to admit I have been eating sweet and sour chicken pretty much my entire life. Even as a kid, it was one of my favorite meals. I think because of the sweetness, I was automatically drawn to this meal. It saves a lot of time cooking it in your pressure cooker, and clean up is super easy to. 

While I do spend a lot of time in my kitchen cooking whenever I can cut corners and cook easier methods, I’m always on board to try them out. Cooking with my pressure cooker is a huge saving for me. Not only do I save time on the actual cooking process, but I also save time when it comes to clean up my messy kitchen. I think you’ll appreciate this about using your instant pot as well.

Can I Swap Basmati Rice with White Long Grain Rice 

Oh, absolutely! You can easily swap out the basmati rice for long-grain rice. Both kinds of rice are very similar when it comes to cooking and flavor. You could even swap the rice for whole-grain rice if you want to. There really aren’t any wrong answers when it comes to rice; I just like the flavor of the basmati rice the best. 

Storing Leftovers Tips 

While we don’t normally have leftovers of this instant pot sweet and sour chicken recipe, if you end up with leftovers, they’re great for saving. You can easily enjoy them for another meal if you save them properly. In order to keep the leftover sweet and sour chicken, you’ll need to let it cool down to room temperature. Once it’s cool to room temperature, you can place it in any food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Does This Sweet and Sour Chicken Freeze Well 

Yes, just make sure to keep the instant pot sweet and sour chicken stored in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. It’s very and important that it is kept airtight. You can store the chicken recipe in the freezer for up to three months. 

Can I Make This Sweet and Sour Chicken For A Crowd?

Yes, you can make this sweet and sour chicken for a crowd. I recommend if you need to feed a lot of people to make multiple batches. On average, this recipe feeds four to six people. So if you need to feed a lot more people than that, make separate batches and store them in a crockpot that is set you warm until you’re ready to serve. 

Ingredients

All you need is 11 simple ingredients, and you can whip up a batch of this easy instant pot chicken dinner. Let’s take a look at what you’re going to need to complete this recipe. 

• 1 lb chicken, cut into small 1″ strips
• 1 cup of corn starch
• 2 eggs, large room temp
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 Red and green pepper, diced
• 8 oz sweet and sour sauce
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water, for rice
• 2 cups of water
• Green onions to garnish

How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken 

After I learn how to make the sweet and sour chicken in my instant pot, I started kicking myself because I wished I’d figure it out a lot sooner. So what are you waiting for? Let’s take a look at these easy to follow directions. 

First Step:  Begin by pouring the cornstarch, flour, and eggs into three separate bowls.

Second Step: Be sure to whisk the eggs thoroughly. 

Third Step: Then, dip the chicken into the cornstarch, then into the eggs, then back into the flour. 

Fourth Step: Pour the oil into the instant pot and turn it on to saute. 

Fifth Step: After the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces to the instant pot in a single layer. 

Sixth Step: Brown all of the pieces of chicken for around five minutes. They are good when they are golden brown in color. 

Seventh Step: Mix in the peppers and sweet and sour sauce. Toss them well to combine. 

Eight Step: Add the lid to the instant pot and turn the seal to the closed position. 

Ninth Step: Turn the instant pot to the high setting and cook for 3 minutes. Do a quick release once the chicken is done cooking. 

Tenth Step: Take the chicken out of the instant pot and set aside. Wash and dry the instant pot insert pan. 

Eleventh Step: Return the pot back into the pan. Then add the rice in 2 cups of water to the instant pot. Put the lid back on the instant pot. Turn the valve to the sealed position—cook on high for 3 minutes, followed by a natural release for 15 minutes. 

Twelfth Step: Add some green onions to garnish your instant pot sweet and sour chicken.

Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken taste better than takeout. Tender and sticky sweet and sour chicken served over a bed of Basmati rice. This sweet and sour chicken recipe is a great weeknight dinner that can be whipped up in no time. 

4 from 5 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 lb chicken, cut into small 1" strips
• 1 cup corn starch
• 2 eggs, large room temp
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 Red and green pepper, diced
• 8 oz sweet and sour sauce
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water, for rice
• 2 cups water
• Green onions to garnish

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Instructions

• Add cornstarch, flour, and eggs into 3 separate small bowls.
• Whisk eggs thoroughly.
• Dip the chicken in cornstarch, then into the eggs, and then into the flour.
• Add your oil to an instant pot once it is hot.
• Add dredged chicken, in a single layer in the Instant pot.
• Brown the chicken on each side for about 5 minutes.
• It should be a golden brown color.
• Add the peppers, and sweet and sour sauce and toss to combine.
• Close and seal the instant pot and make sure the valve is set to sealing.
• Set on high for 3 minutes.
• Release the valve once the timer goes off.
• Remove the chicken and set to the side.
• Clean the insert and dry.
• Place the insert back in the Instant Pot.
• Add rice and 2 cups of water to the Instant pot.
• Add the lid on top of rice.
• Close and seal the instant pot.
• Set on high for 3 minutes, let naturally release for 15 minutes.
• Garnish green onions and serve your sweet and sour chicken with rice on the side. Turn instant pot on to saute- let it come to full heat before adding any food.

Author: Laura

If you love cooking dinner in your instant pot, I have some tasty recipes that are going to make you drool. Take a look at these instant pot dishes to get inspired for your next meal. 

Instant pot roast – nothing is more classic and traditional than cooking a roast in your instant pot. You can add potatoes and carrots or any of your other favorite veggies.

Instant pot cashew chicken – this crunchy cashew chicken is going to make your taste buds super happy.

Instant pot shrimp lo mein – Every bite of this tantalizing shrimp recipe is out of this world. I can’t wait for you to taste how incredible it is.

Instant pot chicken tortilla soup – Soup is one of my most favorite and easy recipes that you can make in your instant pot. This chicken tortilla soup is loaded with lots of flavor and nutrients.