This Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is a new favorite dinner. It’s based off of my classic Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe, but designed for one of my favorite kitchen appliances: the instant pot! This recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep, is packed with juicy chicken and veggies tossed in a homemade sweet and sour sauce. We love to serve it over Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or with Roasted Red Potatoes and a side of Air Fryer Broccoli for a hearty, wholesome meal. Looking for a crockpot version? Check out my Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken instead!
Ingredients Needed:
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Oil: use canola oil or another neutral flavored oil to brown the chicken. Chicken Breasts: you’ll need 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ pieces. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great as well! Salt and Pepper: adds just enough flavor to the chicken before cooking. Veggies: we’re using a classic combination of red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Feel free to experiment and use some of your favorites! Pineapple Chunks: I like to use canned pineapple and then use the juice for the sauce. Aromatics: a combination of minced garlic and minced ginger adds so much flavor to the sautéed veggies and chicken. Seasonings: we’re taking it up a notch with some extra salt and a kick of heat from red pepper flakes.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Sauce
Pineapple Juice: use unsweetened or reduced sugar so your sauce isn’t too sweet. I like to use the juice reserved from the canned pineapple. Brown Sugar: the “sweet” to our sweet and sour. Ketchup: ties in both the vinegar and brown sugar with its sweet, tangy flavor. White Vinegar: the “sour” to our sweet and sour. Cornstarch and Water or Pineapple Juice: whisked together to form a slurry which helps thicken the sauce.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Instant Pot
This one pot meal is ready with just 10 minutes of prep!
Variations
Swap the chicken: You can swap the chicken breasts out for boneless skinless chicken thighs or even cubes of pork tenderloin. Play with flavor: Prefer a more salty/savory chicken? Add a tablespoon of soy sauce! Like it sweeter? Add more sugar! Brown sugar: You can swap the brown sugar out for granulated sugar or another sweetener of your choice. Keep in mind that any and all swaps will affect the flavor of the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken is perfect over a pile of white or brown rice and with a simple side dish. I love to pair it with Roasted Green Beans, Air Fryer Broccoli, or steamed mixed veggies.
More Instant Pot Chicken Dinners You’ll Love
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken & Rice Recipe (pressure cooker)
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken Breasts Recipe + VIDEO
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!