Whole30 instant pot sweet and sour chicken is so easy and so quick to make. It’s completely Paleo, sugar free, gluten free, and made in less 30 minutes. The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for a weeknight meal that’s family friendly, or for Whole30 meal prep. The sweet and sour sauce is made from pretty standard paleo ingredients and is a great alternative to Chinese takeout!
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If you don’t have an instant pot, don’t worry! I’ve included skillet instructions here too. However, if you don’t have one yet, what the heck are ya doing?! They’re so convenient! At first I didn’t know when I’d ever need to use it, but now it rarely leaves my countertop. I love that you can do so much in one pot, like searing the chicken, and making this sauce for example! No extra dishes needed.
The Whole30 instant pot sweet and sour chicken sauce is made from a combination of pineapple juice from the canned pineapple, coconut aminos, vinegar and Primal Kitchen’s Whole30 Approved ketchup. What I love about this ketchup is that it doesn’t use any sort of sweetener but still has the consistency and flavor of common ketchups, making it perfect for the obvious purpose of dipping fries, adding to burgers, etc. But also as a Whole30 swap for Asian flavors like in this sauce!
Recipe Tutorial Video
Even my husband now prefers Primal Kitchen’s ketchup to his standard grocery store one and says that now he can’t stand the taste of the other one because it tastes so “chemical-y” when compared. Primal Kitchen already had the best dressings and marinades, but now they’ve totally stepped it up with the new ketchup addition! You can find these new condiments from Primal Kitchen on their website (use code PALEOBAILEY to save 15%), Amazon or discounted at Thrive Market!
I also used a red pepper here for the Whole30 instant pot sweet and sour chicken, but a green pepper would work just fine as well. I think this would also be great with chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, and I’m a big fan of using what you have on hand to make it work! The one thing to note about the veggies is that you don’t want to chop them too small. Keep them at a 2 inch to 1.5 inch chop so that they don’t get mushy in the instant pot, and so you get that Chinese dish feel to it with the larger chunks of veggies.
Other Asian-Inspired Whole30 Recipes You’ll Love:
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
PrintWhole30 Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken (Paleo, GF, Skillet Instructions)
Whole30 instant pot sweet and sour chicken is so easy and so quick to make. It’s completely Paleo, sugar free, gluten free, and made in less 30 minutes. The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for a weeknight meal that’s family friendly, or for Whole30 meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1.5 inch-2 inch pieces (about 3 large chicken breasts)
- 1 medium red onion, halved and then chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1 red pepper, seeds and stem removed and then chopped into 1 inch-2 inch pieces
- 3/4 cup canned pineapple chunks
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup Primal Kitchen Whole30 Approved Ketchup
- 2/3 cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice seasoning (omit if you don’t have it)
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour mixed with 1/3 cup cold water for thickening
Instructions
- Select “sauté” mode on the instant pot and add the sesame oil to the pot. Once hot, add diced chicken and salt and sear for 1 minute on each side, flipping using tongs
- Press “cancel” and then add in the peppers, onions and pineapple chunks to the top of the chicken. Do not stir
- Mix together all sauce ingredients except for the arrowroot flour and water in a small bowl. Add the sauce into the instant pot, close the lid, and set to “manual high pressure” for 5 minutes. Make sure the venting valve is set to sealed
- Once done, do a quick release and remove the lid. With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and vegetables and place into the serving dish
- Select “sauté” mode again. Mix the arrowroot and cold water together until it dissolves and pour mixture into the remaining liquid in the instant pot. Stir to combine and let it come to a rolling simmer
- Sauce will begin to thicken, keep stirring for about 2 minutes and once the simmer slows to a slow rolling bubble, sauce is done. Pour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, add sesame seeds, green onions or cilantro to preference and serve with cauliflower rice!
Notes
Skillet instructions
- Add sesame oil to a large rimmed skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken and sear on both sides about 2 minutes per side. Then, add in the onions, peppers and pineapple. Stir to combine and let cook for about 3 minutes.
- Combine all sauce ingredients except for the arrowroot and water in a small bowl, and then pour mixture into the skillet. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium and then cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Once chicken is cooked through, remove chicken and vegetables with a slotted spoon leaving just the liquid in the skillet. Mix arrowroot flour and water in a small dish until arrowroot is dissolved and then pour into the remaining liquid. Bring the liquid to a simmer once again, stirring often.
- Sauce will begin to thicken and once the simmer slows to a rolling bubble, either add the chicken and veggies back into the skillet to coat with the sauce, or pour sauce over the chicken and veggies!
- Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions or cilantro, serve over cauliflower rice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 244
- Sugar: 17
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 23
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paleobailey says
It’s a free recipe and the advertising supports the many, many hours of labor that goes into them. You can purchase cookbooks like it used to be done when you want recipes, if you prefer 🙂
Molly S says
So good AND easy! It was a crowd pleaser at my house!
For my husband and I, we added a little red pepper paste (sambal olek) to the sauce. It added a delicious kick!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear this!! Thank you so much, Molly! <3 - B
Donna says
This is delicious and so easy to make. Will definitely make it again.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you, Donna!
Annie says
Hi! This looks delicious. Do you have slow cooker instructions for this recipe? Thanks! We’re on week one of Whole 30 and are living for your recipes!
paleobailey says
I don’t, but I’d just add the chicken, sauce and all veg except the pineapple into the slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours! Add in the pineapple right before you’re going to eat 🙂
Amber says
Better than takeout! I make this recipe weekly, my whole family loves it!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it! Thank you so, so much!
Marina says
Great reviews, I will definitely try this! Is it possible to put a container with white rice and water on the trivet over the chicken and vegetables so that they can cook together? Will the rice will be cooked for that time?
paleobailey says
Hi there! I’m really not sure, and wouldn’t want to give you the wrong info. I’ve never cooked rice in the IP, let alone with other food. Sorry!!
Kristin says
Oh my word this tasted SO GOOD!!! And it was SO easy!! Thank you 🙂
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for giving it a try and taking the time to come back and leave a review! It’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Rachel says
This was amazing!! It tasted like takeout!! We were mind blown. Thank you so much for including skillet instructions since we don’t have an instant pot. Highly recommend making this, y’all!
paleobailey says
Oh I’m so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much, Rachel – I really appreciate you giving it a try and taking the time to come back and leave a review here! <3 - B
Rachel says
This was amazing!! It tasted like takeout!! We were mind blown. Thank you so much for including skillet instructions since we don’t have an instant pot. Highly recommend making this, y’all!
Gineen says
I’ve made the single batch and it is SO DELICIOUS! I want to make it for my family of 5 so will need to double (or triple for leftovers)- what adjustments should I make to cooking time (and anything else)? Thanks so much!!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed! Without trying it myself, I can only give you a best guess which would be to bump up the cook time to 8-10 minutes. You also may want to not add the pineapple chunks in until the very end. I don’t want them to get obliterated by being pressure cooked too long 🙂
natalie says
This was so easy to make and it could definitely fool anyone into thinking it was real take-out! FYI, I subbed coconut vinegar for rice vinegar and I think it came out just fine. The sauce thickened up just as you said it would (this doesn’t ever happen for me so I was pretty excited). Also added broccoli for a little green veggie action, and served it over cauli rice. Thanks so much for the excellent recipe!
paleobailey says
I’m so, so glad to hear this!! Broccoli sounds like an awesome addition! Thank you so much!
Krystal says
We have tried a lot of whole30 sweet and sour chicken recipes trying to find something that tastes like the real thing. This recipe is the best! Super easy using the instant pot. We like it with simple cauliflower rice when doing a whole30 or white rice when we’re not. Thanks for this yummy recipe, Bailey!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you loved it!! Thank you so, so much, Krystal! <3 - B
Diana says
I am on day 27 of my first Whole 30 and was struggling to fine new/ different recipes when I stumbled upon this gem! This has been one of my favorite dishes I have made ever! It tastes better than any restaurant recipe. I substituted the rice vinegar for apple cider vinegar because that was what I had on hand and I added broccoli. This recipe will be added to my list and will be made often! Thank you so much for being so amazing!
paleobailey says
The addition of broccoli sounds fantastic. Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed!
Melanie says
This recipe was a HUGE hit with even my pickiest kids! They weren’t big fans of the pineapple, but I actually had added more than it called for because I like it and the cook gets to make it the way he/she like it, right, LOL?! I was so excited to have some left overs the next day for lunch, but ended up with a small portion because the kids had gotten to it first…definitely says something for it because the 2 picky ones don’t eat much as leftovers! I also completely agree with the statements about Primal Kitchen ketchup! Love, love, love it! Recipes and ingredients like that make me think it’s possible to continue a Whole 30 type lifestyle for my overall health! Thanks for sharing the recipes!
Ally says
This was extremely delicious I will definitely be adding it to my recipe book. It’s awesome dish in a healthy fashion.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this, Ally! Thank you so much for giving it a try and for taking the time to come back and let me know you enjoyed it! I so appreciate that <3 - B
Wendy says
My husband’s favorite recipe!
paleobailey says
Woo! This is so great to hear! Thank you!! <3 - B
Cathy says
This recipe is amazing. Since discovering it, I’ve made it twice in the last WEEK! So easy and so freakin’ delicious!! Thanks for the amazing recipe.
paleobailey says
Amazing!! You are so welcome! Thank YOU for taking the time to come back and let me know – it’s so appreciated! <3 - B