Easy Air Fried General Tso's Chicken Recipe
When it comes to Chinese food, General Tso's Chicken is one of the most popular dishes in America. This beloved dish is typically known for its crispy chicken pieces coated in a thick, savory, sweet, and tangy sauce. However, traditional methods of preparing General Tso's Chicken often involve deep frying, resulting in a dish that’s high in calories and saturated fats.
I decided to give this classic a healthier makeover, opting for an air fryer to reduce the amount of oil used while still achieving that irresistible crispiness. With a prep time of 20 minutes and a cooking time of just 10 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious dinner. Let’s dive into the details of this healthier version of General Tso’s Chicken!
What Is General Tso’s Chicken?
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that features deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. It’s named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a Qing Dynasty military leader, although the dish itself has no direct ties to him.
The American adaptation of this dish usually includes a thicker, sweeter sauce. This adjustment was made to cater to American taste preferences, as the original dish is quite spicy. My version, however, focuses on achieving a perfect balance of flavors while keeping it light and healthy by using an air fryer.
Product Recommendations
Skillet: Check out this versatile skillet
Avocado Oil: My go-to avocado oil
Restaurants vs. Homemade
In restaurants, the chicken is heavily breaded by coating it in egg, followed by a mixture of flour and cornstarch, and then deep-fried in vegetable oil.
My version is lighter and healthier, using an air fryer to reduce the oil content. I also avoid artificial sweeteners and sugar, achieving a perfect savory and sweet balance!
Why I Love This Recipe
This homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for a good reason. Not only is it a healthier alternative to traditional Chinese takeout, but it also retains all the savory flavors that make this dish so irresistible. The use of an air fryer means you get crispy chicken without the need for hot oil or deep frying, making it a much lighter meal.
Moreover, the sauce has a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, without relying on artificial sweeteners or excessive sugar. This makes it a great recipe for those looking to enjoy their favorite Chinese food with less guilt. And let's not forget the convenience factor—this easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce (I prefer low-sodium soy sauce)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup arrowroot starch (a great alternative to cornstarch)
Avocado oil spray
For the Sauce
2 tablespoons avocado oil
3 scallions, sliced (about 1/4 cup of sliced scallions)
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (opt for gluten-free hoisin sauce if needed)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
For Garnish
1 scallion, sliced
Sesame seeds
How to Make Easy Air Fried General Tso’s Chicken
1. Prepping the Chicken
To start, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl with the soy sauce. Mix to combine and let the chicken marinate for about 10 minutes. While waiting, prepare the remaining ingredients.
2. Coating the Chicken
Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade and toss it individually in arrowroot starch. This step might seem tedious, but it ensures that each piece is evenly coated, resulting in crispy chicken. I recommend using food-grade gloves for this process, as it makes handling the chicken easier than using tongs.
3. Air Frying the Chicken
Spray your air fryer basket with avocado oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer. You might need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking.
4. Making the Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced scallions, ginger powder, and garlic powder, and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant. Next, add the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and all the ingredients are well combined.
5. Combining Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and toss it in the sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately over your favorite rice or cauliflower rice, garnishing with fresh scallions and sesame seeds.
Looking for More Easy 30-Minute Recipes?
If you enjoyed this easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe, you’ll love my Clean & Easy 30 Minute Meals Cookbook. It features 35 recipes that only take 30 minutes from start to finish and require less than 10 ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Get your copy here: Clean & Easy 30 Minute Meals Cookbook
Jazz’s Tips for the Perfect Air Fried General Tso’s Chicken
Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken. This helps to crisp up the chicken quickly and evenly.
Use Avocado Oil Spray: Spraying both the air fryer basket and the top of the chicken helps prevent sticking and ensures a crispy exterior.
Single Layer is Key: Make sure to arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and less crispy chicken.
Coat the Chicken Thoroughly: Using food-grade gloves to coat the chicken in arrowroot starch makes the process easier and ensures each piece is well-coated.
Cooking Alternatives:
Cooking on the Stove
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily cook this dish on the stove. Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they’re cooked through. Remove the chicken and prepare the sauce in the same skillet. Add the chicken back to the sauce and serve.
Baking in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the chicken pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spray with avocado oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and slightly golden. Toss the baked chicken in the sauce and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers: Tips for Freshness
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes or warm them up in a skillet over medium heat. The chicken will remain crispy, and the sauce will be just as flavorful.
What to Serve with General Tso's Chicken
General Tso's Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some of my favorites:
Fluffy Rice: Perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce. Check out my fluffy rice recipe.
Broccoli: Add some green to your plate with air-fried or steamed broccoli. Try my air fryer broccoli recipe.
FAQ
-
Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and adjust the cooking time if needed.
-
To get that irresistible crispy texture in general tso’s chicken recipes without deep frying, you can use an air fryer with a light coating of corn starch.
-
Absolutely! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and opt for a gluten-free hoisin sauce. Make sure to check all the sauce ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free, especially the corn starch and rice wine vinegar.
-
You can use sesame oil for a rich, nutty flavor, or opt for canola or grapeseed oil, which have higher smoke points suitable for air frying. This will also enhance the flavor of the sauce.
Making General Tso’s Chicken at home with an air fryer is a game-changer. You get all the great flavors of the traditional dish but with less oil and a healthier version. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal that will satisfy your craving for Chinese takeout without compromising on health. So next time you're thinking of ordering in, try making this delicious homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe instead!
Enjoy and happy cooking!
Easy Air Fried General Tso's Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 3 scallions, sliced (about 1/4 cup of sliced scallions)
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce (can use gluten-free Hoisin sauce)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 scallion, for garnish
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Cut the chicken into 1 inch bite size pieces, and carefully add them into a bowl along with soy sauce. Mix them to combine and let them sit for 10 minutes to marinade while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Remove each piece of chicken and toss it into arrowroot starch individually. Make sure to coat the chicken so each piece is evenly and fully coated. This is a tedious task but it’s necessary for all of the chicken pieces to get really crispy. You can use food grade cooking gloves if necessary, as it’s easier to handle than tongs.
- Spray your air fryer with avocado oil spray, and pop the coated chicken into the air fryer in a single layer, careful not to overlap. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the chicken half way through.
- While the chicken is crisping up in the air fryer, make the sauce.
- Heat avocado oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced scallions, ginger and garlic. Stir for about 1 minute.
- Add the hoisin, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar and stir for 2-3 minutes until thick and combined.
- Remove chicken from the air fryer and toss with the sauce to coat.
- Serve over your favorite rice or cauliflower rice with fresh scallions and sesame seeds on top!
- Garnish the sauce with sesame seeds and scallions on top.
