Air-Fried General Tso's Chicken: A Healthy, Crispy Delight

General Tso's Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish, typically made by deep-frying battered chicken and coating it in a sweet and spicy sauce. But can you make this dish in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Air-frying the chicken is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, resulting in a delicious dish with less grease and fewer calories. The air fryer also saves time and creates a perfectly crispy texture, making it a convenient option for a quick, tasty meal.

So, if you're craving General Tso's Chicken but want to avoid the grease of takeout, get out your air fryer and whip up this healthier, homemade version!

The benefits of air-frying General Tso's Chicken

Air-frying General Tso's Chicken is a convenient and tasty way to enjoy this popular Chinese-American dish. Here are some benefits of using an air fryer for this recipe:

Healthier Option:

Air-frying significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to traditional deep-frying, resulting in a healthier meal without sacrificing the crispy texture and rich flavor.

Time-Saving:

The air fryer cooks the chicken quickly and efficiently, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights. You can enjoy the bold flavors of General Tso's Chicken faster than ordering takeout.

Perfect Crispiness:

The air fryer ensures the chicken pieces are evenly cooked and perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. This is achieved without the need for deep-frying, making it a healthier alternative.

Minimal Mess:

Using an air fryer means no more dealing with the mess of oil splatters from deep-frying. Cleanup is much easier and more convenient.

Customizable Spice Level:

You can easily adjust the spiciness of the sauce to suit your taste preferences. Whether you like it mild or extra spicy, you can customize the heat level to your liking.

Ultimate Comfort Food:

General Tso's Chicken is inherently comforting, with its sticky, sweet, and spicy flavors. The air fryer version delivers the same satisfaction as your favorite takeout dish but made right in your own kitchen.

Easy Customization:

In addition to adjusting the spice level, you can also customize the sauce to your taste. For example, adding honey or orange zest and juice can give the dish a sweeter or more citrusy twist.

Gluten-Free Option:

By using cornstarch instead of flour for the coating and making simple substitutions for the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, you can easily make a gluten-free version of this dish without sacrificing flavor.

Versatile Sides:

General Tso's Chicken made in the air fryer goes well with a variety of sides. Serve it with steamed rice, brown rice, stir-fried vegetables, or noodles. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to your preferences.

Easy Storage and Reheating:

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for later. Reheating can be done in the air fryer to restore the crispy texture.

Marinating the chicken

You can also add a little sesame oil to the marinade. This will add depth of flavour to the chicken and a nutty aroma.

After marinating, the chicken pieces should be coated in a thin layer of cornstarch. This can be done by placing the chicken and cornstarch in a large, resealable plastic bag, sealing it, and shaking to coat all the pieces. Alternatively, you can toss the chicken with cornstarch in a bowl. Make sure to dust off any excess cornstarch before placing the chicken in the air fryer.

The cornstarch will give the chicken a light, crispy coating when cooked in the air fryer.

Making the sauce

To make the sauce, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Chicken broth or stock
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Hoisin sauce
• Ketchup
• Cornstarch
• Vegetable oil or olive oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Red pepper flakes or dried red chilli peppers

• Whisk together the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add the vegetable oil, olive oil, or cooking spray.
• Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the oil and cook over medium-high heat for about 15-30 seconds, stirring constantly.
• Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until it starts to thicken.
• If you want a thicker sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water and add it to the sauce.
• Simmer the sauce for another minute or two until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Optionally, add a teaspoon of chili sauce for extra spice.

Now that you have your sauce ready, it's time to add the crispy air-fried chicken pieces and toss them until they are evenly coated. Serve your General Tso's chicken with a garnish of sliced scallions or green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Coating the chicken

Firstly, cut your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are recommended as they tend to stay juicier and are less likely to dry out in the air fryer.

Next, prepare the coating mixture. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: cornstarch, flour (optional), garlic powder or minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add some red pepper flakes to the mix for an extra kick. The cornstarch is essential as it helps create that desirable crispy exterior when air-fried.

Now, you're ready to coat the chicken. Beat an egg in a separate bowl and dip each piece of chicken into it. This will help the dry coating adhere to the chicken. After dipping in the egg, toss the chicken pieces in the dry coating mixture, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. You can do this in a resealable plastic bag, shaking to coat all the pieces evenly, or use a bowl. Shake off any excess coating before placing the chicken in the air fryer.

When coating the chicken, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Proper air circulation is crucial for achieving an even crispiness. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. If needed, cook the chicken in multiple batches.

Once all the chicken pieces are coated and placed in the air fryer, give the basket a gentle shake to settle the coating and prevent clumping. You can now proceed to air-fry the chicken according to your preferred recipe instructions. Remember to preheat your air fryer beforehand and spray the basket with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

By following these steps and allowing the coating to crisp up evenly, you'll end up with perfectly crispy and delicious General Tso's Chicken!

Air-frying the chicken

Here's a step-by-step guide to air-frying the chicken for General Tso's:

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Firstly, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use either chicken thighs or breasts, but thighs are recommended as they stay juicier. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and add ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Marinate the chicken for around 30 minutes to enhance the flavour.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Next, you'll need to coat the chicken with a dry mixture. This usually involves dipping the chicken in a beaten egg and then coating it with cornstarch, flour, or a combination of both. Make sure to shake off any excess coating.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 390-400°F. It's important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Step 4: Place Chicken in the Air Fryer

Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch and that there's space between them. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush with oil.

Step 5: Air Fry the Chicken

Air fry the chicken for around 8-10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

Step 6: Prepare the Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the General Tso's sauce. This typically includes ingredients like chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Step 7: Thicken the Sauce

To thicken the sauce, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, cooking for a short time while stirring. Then, add the sauce and cook until it thickens, usually for about 30 seconds to a few minutes.

Step 8: Toss Chicken in Sauce

Once the chicken is done, immediately add it to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Serve the chicken with your choice of sides, such as rice, vegetables, or noodles. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds for extra flavour and presentation.

Frequently asked questions