INSTAPOT MONGOLIAN CHICKEN

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1- or 2-inch cubes)

• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil (or extra virgin olive oil)

• 3/4 cup brown sugar (use less if you like)

• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (chopped)

• 3/4 cup light soy sauce* ((use 1/2 cup if you are sensitive to sodium))

• 3/4 cup water or chicken broth

• 1 cup carrots (chopped*)

• 1 teaspoon of ground chili*

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• Cornstarch sauce:

• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch

Optional:

1/4 cup green onions (chopped)

• 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds

• Rice (optional):

• 2 cups of basmati rice

• 2 cups of water

• 2 tablespoons herbed or unsalted butter

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

• Heat your pressure cooker: Press Sauté -> click the Adjust button -> select More to get the Sauté More feature, which means your food will be sautéed over medium-high heat. Wait until the Instant Pot indicator shows HOT.

• Add the oil to the hot OAP, add the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring several times.

• Cook until it begins to brown. Stir constantly throughout the cooking process to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

• Also, after sautéing the chicken, check to see if any bits are stuck to the bottom. If so, deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup of water and scrape them up with a wooden spoon. If you leave the bits stuck to the bottom, they can burn or prevent the pot from coming to pressure.

• Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot: minced garlic, minced ginger, light soy sauce, brown sugar, water, carrots, garlic powder, and ground chili.

• Stir well until all ingredients are combined and coated in sauce.

Rice (optional):

• Add the rice, salt, and two cups of water to a nonstick pan/dish. Stir to combine.

• Add a long-legged rack to the OAP on top of the chicken. Place the pot of rice on the rack. Cover with foil and pierce several times with a fork.

Cook :

• Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes + 10 minutes of natural release. Turn off the heat. Release the remaining pressure.

• Open the lid, remove the rice from the pot, and let it sit covered for 5-10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

• Select the Saute function again, on LOW.

• In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water, mixing until smooth. Add the mixture to the OAP and stir gently to combine.

• Cook on the Sauté function on LOW for a few more minutes without the lid, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens.

• Turn off the OAP.

• Serve over rice and garnish with chopped fresh spring onion and sesame seeds.