If you’re looking for a way to whip up a flavorful dish that’s both simple and satisfying, then you’ve got to try my best air fryer General Tso’s chicken recipe! It’s an absolute game changer for busy weeknights or when you just need a little comfort food without all the fuss. The air fryer gives that crispy, crunchy texture we all love, while keeping things healthier by cutting down on oil. Plus, the sweet and savory sauce is just bursting with flavor! Trust me, once you try this dish, it’ll be on your regular rotation. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create this classic Chinese favorite right in your kitchen!
Ingredients List
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust based on your heat preference)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooking spray (for a light coating)
Make sure to gather everything before you start—I promise it makes the process so much smoother! You’ll want your chicken nicely coated in that crispy cornstarch mixture, and the sauce will come together in no time. Get ready to enjoy some seriously delicious General Tso’s chicken!
How to Prepare the Best Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
First things first, let’s get that air fryer warmed up! Preheating is crucial for getting that perfect crispy texture on your chicken. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for about 5 minutes. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did—this step ensures your chicken cooks evenly and quickly!
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Now for the fun part! In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, and ginger powder. This mix is what’s going to give your chicken that delightful crunch. Take your bite-sized chicken pieces and dip them into the beaten eggs, making sure they’re well coated. Then, roll those egg-dipped pieces in the cornstarch mixture until they’re fully covered. You want that nice, thick crust to form! It’s a messy, but oh-so-fun process!
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Once your chicken is all coated, it’s time to load up the air fryer! Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket—don’t overcrowd it, or it won’t crisp up nicely. Give them a light spray of cooking spray for that extra crunch. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. You’ll want to keep an eye on it; the smell will be irresistible!
Step 4: Make the Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, let’s whip up that delicious sauce! In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. This combination brings all those sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors together perfectly. Give it a good whisk until it’s well-blended. You’re going to love how vibrant and aromatic it is!
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked and golden brown, it’s time to bring everything together! Toss the crispy chicken in that delectable sauce, making sure every piece is nicely coated. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. Serve it up with some steamed rice or your favorite veggies for a meal that’s sure to impress. Enjoy every bite of your homemade General Tso’s chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights!
- The air fryer gives you that crispy texture without all the oil.
- Sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce with vibrant flavors that pop!
- Healthier alternative to takeout, and it’s gluten-free!
- Ready in just about 30 minutes, making it a quick dinner option.
- A crowd-pleaser that will impress family and friends alike!
Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be adding it to your favorites list in no time!
Tips for Success
To make sure your best air fryer General Tso’s chicken turns out perfectly, here are a few pro tips! First, don’t skip the preheating step—it’s key for that crispy finish. Also, when coating the chicken, make sure each piece is well-covered in the cornstarch mixture; this really helps with that crunchiness we all love. If you want a spicier kick, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or even a dash of sriracha to the sauce. And if you’re cooking a larger batch, do it in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer—this way, each piece gets that golden-brown goodness. Finally, don’t hesitate to experiment with the sauce! Try adding a splash of orange juice or a bit of honey for a sweet twist. Happy cooking!
Nutritional Information
Curious about what’s in your delicious General Tso’s chicken? Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving. This will help you keep track while still enjoying every bite!
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 25g
This dish is not only packed with flavor but also gives you a good dose of protein while keeping the calories in check! Enjoy it guilt-free!
FAQ Section
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative if you prefer a bit more flavor and tenderness. Just make sure to trim any excess fat and cut them into bite-sized pieces, just like you would with chicken breasts. The cooking time will be similar, so you can follow the same instructions for air frying!
How do I adjust the spice level?
If you like it milder, simply reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them altogether. You can always serve some sriracha or hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a little more heat. On the flip side, if you’re a spice lover, feel free to double the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
What can I serve with General Tso’s Chicken?
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, which helps soak up all that delicious sauce. You could also serve it with some sautéed vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for a pop of color and extra nutrients. If you’re feeling adventurous, try serving it with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthy twist!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free! Just ensure that the soy sauce you use is gluten-free. There are plenty of great alternatives available, such as tamari or coconut aminos, which will still give you that wonderful savory flavor. Also, double-check that your hoisin sauce is gluten-free, or you can make your own at home!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! To store your delicious General Tso’s chicken, just place it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for about 3 days, but trust me, it’ll be hard to resist finishing it all in one go! If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the chicken for up to 2 months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container.
When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, the best way to reheat is in the air fryer again! Just pop it back in at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-8 minutes, shaking halfway through. This’ll help bring back that crispy goodness. You can also use a microwave, but it might lose some of that crunch. Either way, you’ll be savoring those flavors all over again!
For more delicious recipes, check out this air fryer honey mustard chicken recipe or these air fryer chicken fingers for quick and tasty meals!
Imprimer
Best Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken Recipe for Pure Joy
- Temps Total: 27 minutes
- Rendement: 4 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Sans Gluten
Description
This recipe provides a simple way to make General Tso’s Chicken using an air fryer.
Ingrédients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
- Dip chicken pieces in beaten eggs, then coat with cornstarch mixture.
- Place coated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Spray chicken lightly with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- In a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- Once chicken is cooked, toss it in the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Adjust spice level to your taste.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 12 minutes
- Catégorie: Main Dish
- Méthode: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sucre: 2g
- De Sodium: 600mg
- La graisse: 10g
- Graisses Saturées: 1g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 7g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 30g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 25g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 150mg
Mots-clés: best air fryer general tsos chicken recipe
