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Orange Chicken Legs with rice, broccoli, and an orange slice on a square black plate
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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Legs

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Legs are a tasty way to prepare chicken drumsticks. With lots of fresh orange and Asian flavor, this pressure cooker orange chicken legs recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: pressure cooker orange chicken recipe
Servings: 4 - 6
Author: Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 lbs Chicken Legs (drumsticks)
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ¼ cup Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 7 cloves Garlic, pressed or grated
  • ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes (or more to taste)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Ginger (or 1 tsp powdered ginger)
  • Zest of 2 Oranges
  • 1 ½ cups Orange Juice

Add after Pressure Cooking

  • 2 Tbsp Corn Starch
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
  • Green Onions (for garnish), sliced

If Making Rice At Same Time

  • 2 cups White Long Grain Rice, rinsed well
  • 2 cups Water

Main Tools That You'll Need

  • 6 qt or 8 qt Electric Pressure Cooker (such as Instant Pot®)
  • Tall Legged Trivet/Rack (if making rice)
  • 7"x3" Stainless Pan (if making rice)

Instructions

  • Add the chicken legs, salt, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, ginger, half of the orange zest, and the orange juice.
  • Put the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
  • Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 10 minutes. It will take several minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
  • When the cook cycle is finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 5 minutes (5 minute Natural Release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to do a Quick Release of the remaining steam/pressure.
  • When the pin in the lid drops down, open it up and remove the chicken legs to a foil lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Turn on the broiler to 375° to start heating it up (only if you want to caramelize the coating).
  • Mix together the corn starch and water (slurry). Turn on the pot's Sauté setting and when it simmers, stir in the slurry.
  • When it thickens, turn off the pot and stir in the brown sugar and sesame oil. Taste and add salt if needed.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken legs and put them under the broiler if you want to caramelize the coating. Just for a few minutes.
  • Garnish with green onions and serve with rice.

If you want to Make Rice at the Same Time

  • In a 7"x3" pan, add 2 cups of rinsed white rice and 2 cups of water.
  • Put the tall trivet over the chicken legs and set the pan of rice on it. Then proceed with the pressure cooking.
  • When you open the lid after cooking, use a pan gripper or silicone mitts to get the hot pan of rice out of the pressure cooker. Fluff with a fork.

Notes

You can switch chicken legs for thighs with the same cook time.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcal
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