Mia Patel
Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken is a healthier take on the classic Chinese takeout dish. It is a popular Chinese-American dish that is said to have originated in the Hunan province of China and was named after a well-respected military leader, General Tso. This dish features crispy chicken coated in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. It is typically served with rice but can also be served with noodles or vegetables like broccoli. Making this dish in an air fryer is easy and quick, taking less than 30 minutes, and it can be made gluten-free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Type of dish | Weeknight dinner |
| Health | Healthier than deep-fried takeout |
| Ingredients | Chicken, cornstarch, salt, pepper, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, olive oil, egg, flour |
| Calories | 445kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Protein | 23g |
| Fat | 23g |
| Sodium | 1390mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 12g |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Next, prepare a marinade for the chicken. A simple marinade can be made by mixing together ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and an egg. For extra flavour, include white pepper, salt, Shaoxing wine, and grated garlic and ginger. Mix the chicken pieces into the marinade until they are well coated, then set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.
After the chicken has marinated, it's time to coat the pieces in a dry mixture. This can be done in two ways. The first method is to dip the chicken pieces in a beaten egg and then coat them in cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. The second method is to coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch and then dip them in a beaten egg. Both methods will result in a crispy coating, but the second method is gluten-free.
Finally, place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded so that the air can circulate properly. Spray the basket generously with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking and ensure crispiness. Air fry the chicken for 10-16 minutes at 400°F, flipping the pieces over halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
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Marinating the chicken
Choose the Right Chicken:
Select boneless, skinless chicken thighs for your Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken. Chicken thighs are ideal because they are forgiving when overcooked and do not dry out as quickly as chicken breasts. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 2" in size. This ensures even cooking and makes it easier to coat and fry the chicken.
Prepare the Marinade:
The marinade for Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken typically includes a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar or black vinegar, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. Some recipes also include an egg or egg white, which helps to tenderize the meat and create a moist texture. You can also add a splash of Shaoxing wine or other cooking wine to enhance the flavour. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences.
Combine and Coat the Chicken:
Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the marinade over them. Use your hands or a spatula to thoroughly coat each piece of chicken with the marinade. Make sure all the pieces are well-coated and that the marinade is evenly distributed. You can also add a little olive oil or cooking oil at this stage to help with the browning and crisping of the chicken during frying.
Marinate for 30 Minutes:
Once the chicken is coated, cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavours to penetrate the meat and enhances the taste of the dish. You can also prepare the other components of the dish, such as the sauce or side dishes, while the chicken is marinating.
Tips for a Better Marinade:
- If you have the time, marinate the chicken for longer, such as an hour or even overnight. The longer it sits in the marinade, the more intense the flavours will be.
- For a more intense flavour, you can also try poking a few holes in the chicken pieces with a fork before adding them to the marinade. This will allow the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Always marinate in the refrigerator, especially if you are marinating for longer periods, to prevent bacterial growth.
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Coating the chicken
To coat the chicken, you will need to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken thighs or breasts, but thighs are ideal because they do not dry out as quickly as chicken breasts. In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and an egg. Massage everything together until well coated. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
After marinating, coat the chicken pieces with a thin layer of cornstarch. You can also add some flour to the cornstarch for a crispier result. Shake off any excess cornstarch. Next, dip the chicken pieces in a beaten egg and then coat them in cornstarch again. Make sure to shake off any excess.
Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket. Place the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, making sure there is space between them to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
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Air-frying the chicken
Air-frying chicken is a healthy and fast way to cook, giving the chicken a crispy texture with less oil and fewer calories. The air fryer needs space for the air to circulate, so it's important not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
To prepare the chicken for air frying, cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Some recipes suggest marinating the chicken pieces in a mixture of egg, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper for 30 minutes to infuse the flavours. After marinating, coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. You can dip the chicken pieces in a beaten egg before coating them in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess coating.
Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken pieces in the basket, leaving space between them. Air fry for 10 to 16 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. For an extra crispy texture, air fry the chicken in two batches, the first batch at a lower temperature for a longer time, and the second batch at a higher temperature for a shorter time.
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Making the sauce
To make the sauce, you can whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ketchup. You can also add in some cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. The cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that helps to thicken the sauce without adding any additional flavour. You can also add in some chilli sauce or chilli flakes to increase the spice level.
Another way to make the sauce is to first marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Then, in a separate pan, add all the aromatic base components and let them toast for about 90 seconds to infuse the flavours into the oil. Next, pour in the remaining sauce ingredients and let the mixture come to a boil before turning down the heat and simmering for about 3 minutes. You can then add the cornstarch slurry to this mixture to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
The sauce for General Tso's Chicken is what makes the dish so delicious and unique. It's the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, with a wonderful kick of spice.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 20 minutes to make this dish in the air fryer, and it can be served with rice, noodles or broccoli.
You will need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, corn starch, salt, pepper, cooking oil spray, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
First, marinate the chicken with ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and egg. Then, coat the chicken with corn starch and place it in the air fryer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, tossing the basket once at the halfway mark. Finally, add the sauce ingredients to a saucepan and heat it.
