Cut chicken into small pieces if you choose to or leave them whole. I suggest not using to big cut of chicken like thighs. I use wings drummettes
Mix all the ingredients for the three cup sauce in a bowl and set aside
Mix corn starch with water and set aside. Remember to give it a stir before pouring it in later. The starch tends to settle at the bottom
Cooking with Instant Pot:
Press saute on instant pot and when it says "hot", add 1 Tbsp cooking oil. Add garlic and ginger. Stir fry until really fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces in and stir fry for another minute
Add the three cup sauce and chili (if using) into the pot. Bring it back to a boil and let it boil for about 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol. Turn off the saute mode. Close the lid. Turn steam release valve to "sealing". Press "pressure cooker" and make sure it's on "high pressure". Set timer to 12 minutes (see notes).Release pressure immediately once it's done cooking
Bring the sauce back to a boil and then give the corn starch solution a stir and pour it in and stir until the sauce is bubbly and thickened
Turn off saute mode and scatter the basil leaves and stir to mix. Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately
Cooking on the stove:
Preheat a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add cooking oil. Add garlic and ginger and stir fry for about 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they turn opaque, about 3 minutes. They won't be cooked through yet
Add the three cup sauce you prepared earlier and red chili (if using). Bring to a boil and let it boil for about 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol. Cover with a lid and lower the heat and simmer until chicken pieces are cooked through
Uncover the lid and stir in the corn starch mixture and cook until the sauce is bubbly and thickened. Turn off the heat and scatter the basil leaves on top and stir to mix
Video
Notes
If using: - Large drumsticks, set the timer to 15 minutes and release pressure immediately - boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces, you don't even need to pressure cook. Just cook until the chicken pieces are cooked through using SAUTE mode