This delicious Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken made in an Instant Pot is full of tangy, sweet flavor that your family will love! Plus, it’s ready in only 30 minutes, including prep and cooking time! Tender, juicy chicken and a delicious sauce make this a winning meal.
Can Orange Chicken be Enjoyed on a Keto Diet?
Traditionally, orange chicken is made with high sodium soy sauce, resulting in a sauce high in sugar and thickened with cornstarch and other additives, leading to around 35-40 grams of carbs per serving.
Is Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken a Traditional Chinese Dish?
Explaining orange chicken: A common dish in the United States, it is typically found at North American Chinese restaurants and consists of fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce.
This orange chicken dish is predominantly a North American creation, rarely seen in Chinese restaurants in China. Thus, this recipe is a primarily American-style interpretation of Chinese cuisine.
Why Orange Chicken is an Ideal Choice for the Keto Diet?
Orange chicken is a great choice for those following a Keto diet, as it is low in carbs yet high in flavor. The orange flavor comes from the chicken being marinated in orange juice and spices, including ginger and garlic. This gives the chicken its unique flavor, while the chicken itself provides essential protein and other nutrients. Additionally, the orange juice and spices add a hint of sweetness, while still being low in sugar. Since it is low in carbs, orange chicken can make a great entree for a Keto meal. Paired with vegetables, such as broccoli or zucchini, it makes a delicious and nutritious meal. The combination of the sweet flavor of the orange juice and the savory taste of the chicken makes it a great option for those looking to stick to their Keto diet without sacrificing flavor.
How to Serve this Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken?
Enjoy this dish with cauliflower rice, stir-fried veggies, salad, or roasted vegetables for a low-carb option.
Ingredients to Make Low-Carb Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken
- 2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos or liquid aminos
- 4 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp xanthan gum
- 1 tbsp water
- Salt to taste
How to Make Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken?
Combine orange juice, zest, coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and salt in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and let it warm up for a few moments.
Once the olive oil is hot, add the ginger and garlic and sauté for one minute. Then, add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, turn the Instant Pot off.
Scrap any excess mixture off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon and add the sauce.
Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for approximately 5 minutes.
Once the cooking is complete, open the lid and perform a quick pressure release. Open the lid and press Saute mode. Create a slurry with xanthan gum and water and add it to the pot.
Boil and stir for around 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and achieves the desired consistency.
Top the dish with sesame seeds and serve alongside cauliflower rice.
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Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos or liquid aminos
- 4 tbsp orange zest
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp xanthan gum
- 1 tbsp water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine orange juice, zest, coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic,ginger, and salt in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and let it warm up for a few moments.
- Once the olive oil is hot, add the ginger and garlic and sauté for oneminute. Then, add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, turn the Instant Pot off.
- Scrap any excess mixture off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoonand add the sauce.
- Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for approximately 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking is complete, open the lid and perform a quick pressurerelease.
- Open the lid and press Saute mode. Create a slurry with xanthan gum and water and add it to the pot. Boil and stir for around 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and achieves the desired consistency.
- Top the dish with sesame seeds and serve alongside cauliflower rice.
