This Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe is gluten-free, healthy and delicious. This easy chicken dish is served with a sweet and savory orange sauce. Both kids and adults love this yummy chicken dish that is ready in about 30 minutes.

sticky instant pot orange chicken served in wooden bowl.

If you like recipes that are both sweet and savory, then I think you are really going to love this Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Even though this recipe has a healthy spin, it still has a ton of flavor.

The orange juice sauce is thick and sticky, and it coats the chicken and vegetables. You could say that this is a makeover recipe of the popular deep fried orange chicken that you can get at fast food restaurants like Panda Express (see my similar Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe).

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Benefits

  • Tired of the same old chicken recipes? This is a tasty recipe that your family will love! Pressure cooking the chicken in the sauce ingredients keeps it tender.
  • Serve your Instant Pot Orange Chicken with your choice of steamed white rice, brown rice, or sautéed cauliflower rice.
  • This recipe is made gluten-free without soy sauce so everyone can enjoy it.

Orange Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients for Instant Pot orange chicken in small bowls on a white surface.
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs are perfect in this recipe. Cut your chicken into bite-sized chicken pieces.
  • Orange juice helps create the sticky sweet sauce for the chicken. Feel free to use the orange zest as well to heighten the orange flavor even more.
  • Bell pepper and onion add great texture and nutrition to the dish.
  • Arrowroot powder or corn starch help to thicken the orange sauce.
  • Brown sugar or coconut sugar adds to the sweetness.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

Process collage of making orange chicken in the Instant Pot.

Step One

Sauté your oil, chicken, onion, and pepper in the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot. 

Add the orange juice, sugar, and salt, and stir to combine.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Lock on the lid and set the cook time to 6 minutes at high pressure.

Step Three

Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down for 10 minutes using the natural release, then release the remaining pressure by using the quick release with the venting position set to vent.

Step Four

Stir in the arrowroot and simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.

Serve hot with cooked white rice like Jasmine rice or sautéed cauliflower rice. You can also top with chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

I hope you agree that this tender chicken dish cooked in the electric pressure cooker is a recipe your whole family enjoys.

A whisk in the Instant Pot filled with orange chicken.

Recipe FAQs 

How long does this Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe take to cook?

It needs 6 minutes on high pressure, plus about 10 minutes to come up to pressure and 5 minutes to come down from pressure. Plus, you’ll need about 10 minutes prep time and a few extra minutes to let the cornstarch slurry thicken in the bottom of the pot. So, about 35 minutes from start to finish.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! The recipe as written is gluten-free, and I suggest serving it over brown rice or cauliflower rice which both fit that diet as well.

How do I prevent the burn notice?

It’s always important to keep any browned bits off the bottom of the pot if you use the sauté function. Use a wooden spoon to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom.

Recipe Tips

  • Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • You can easily double this recipe if you want to make more servings.
  • The total cooking time includes approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure. The total time also includes 10 minutes of natural pressure release. 
  • This recipe is very versatile! Feel free to add additional ingredients such as grated fresh ginger, sesame oil, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, or whatever Asian flavors you like.

More Healthy Chicken Recipes You Might Like

Plus, check out my round-up of my other Instant Pot Chicken Recipes. 

Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Resources!

Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes (Any Type)

How to Use the Instant Pot Duo (For Beginners)

25+ Healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes

Instant Pot Meal Prep Gift Guide (Plus Recipes)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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instant pot orange chicken in bowl with chopsticks.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken (Gluten-Free)

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5 from 2 reviews

Print Recipe

This Instant Pot Orange Chicken recipe is gluten-free, healthy and delicious. This easy chicken dish is served with a sweet and savory orange sauce. Both kids and adults love this yummy chicken dish that is ready in under 40 minutes.

  • Total Time: 36 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly-squeezed orange juice (from about 3-4 oranges)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or corn starch

Instructions

  1. Press the Sauté button on your Instant Pot. Pour in the cooking oil and let it heat up for a few minutes. 
  2. Then, add the chicken, onion, and bell pepper. Stir and let cook for about 3-4 minutes. 
  3. Cancel the Sauté button and add the orange juice, sugar, and salt. Stir and lock on the lid.
  4. Set the time to 6 minutes at high pressure.
  5. When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for 5 minutes. Then, use the quick-release to get rid of any remaining pressure.
  6. Remove the lid and press the Sauté button. Whisk in the arrowroot starch or cornstarch for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken.
  7. Cancel the Sauté button and serve the orange chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or sautéed cauliflower rice.
  8. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  2. You can easily double this recipe if you want to make more servings.
  3. The total cooking time includes approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure. The total time also includes 5 minutes of natural pressure release. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
  • Calories: 243
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 522.1 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 26.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 82.7 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.