Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken (Copycat) with Your Pressure Cooker
This copycat Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken recipe combines crispy fried chicken, juicy pineapple, and a sticky-sweet chili sauce—all made easy in your pressure cooker.
Equipment
- 1 Pressure cooker with sauté mode
- 1 Mixing bowl Medium size
- 1 Deep pan for frying
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup flour
- Canola or vegetable oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon canola oil for stir-frying veggies
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Asian chili paste
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds for garnish
- sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix cornstarch and flour until evenly combined.
- Dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then dredge in the cornstarch mixture to coat well.
- Heat a few inches of oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F.
- Working in batches, fry chicken pieces 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Switch pressure cooker to sauté mode. Heat canola oil, then add onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add pineapple chunks and fried chicken to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
- Pour in sweet chili sauce and chili paste. Stir to coat, close lid with sealing ring, and pressure cook for 2 minutes.
- After timer beeps, do a quick release. Open lid and stir gently.
- Top with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles. You can swap in chicken thighs, use frozen pineapple, or air fry instead of deep frying for a lighter twist.