Who doesn’t love General Tso Chicken? That crispy, tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor is pure magic! But guess what? You don’t need to order takeout to enjoy it. With this easy Air Fryer General Tso Chicken recipe, you can whip up a delicious version right in your own kitchen. It’s healthier, super crispy, and totally kid approved.

Method

Preparing the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, and whisk them together until well blended. Add the chicken cubes to the bowl and gently stir to coat each piece evenly with the mixture. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated, as this will give it that crispy exterior you’re aiming for.

Preheating and Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer inside the basket. This step is crucial for even cooking and to achieve a crisp texture. Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 10 minutes. After the initial cooking time, open the air fryer, toss the chicken to expose different sides to the hot air, spray a little more cooking spray if needed, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.

Making the Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to prepare the flavorful sauce. In another mixing bowl, combine the water, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, crushed garlic, and cornstarch. Mix thoroughly to dissolve the cornstarch completely, ensuring there are no lumps. Transfer the sauce mixture to a skillet and place it over medium heat. Stir the sauce continuously as it heats up to prevent it from sticking to the pan. As it begins to bubble, you’ll notice it thickening into a glossy, rich sauce. Once it reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the heat.

Combining the Chicken and Sauce

Once the chicken is done cooking and is crispy on the outside, carefully add it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the chicken in the sauce until each piece is generously coated. This step not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also ensures it stays moist and tender inside while maintaining its crispy exterior.

Necessary Tools

Air fryer
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Skillet
Meat thermometer
Cooking spray

Air Fryer General Tso Chicken: Crispy, Tangy, and Oh So Good!

Recipe by Henry AveryCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken
4 chicken breasts, cut into 1” cubes
2 tbsp flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Cooking spray
For the Sauce
1 cup water
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp cornstarch

Directions

Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken cubes to the mixture, ensuring they’re well coated.
Preheat and Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray. Add the chicken cubes in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes, then toss, spray again, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Make the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, mix water, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, crushed garlic, and cornstarch in a bowl. Pour the sauce into a skillet and cook over medium heat until it thickens
Combine: Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss until well coated.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken won’t crisp up properly if piled on top of each other.
Check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.

Serving Suggestions

Serve over steamed white rice or fried rice.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Pair with a side of stir-fried veggies like broccoli or snap peas.

Fun Fact

Did you know that General Tso Chicken isn’t actually an authentic Chinese dish? It was created in the United States by Chinese-American chefs!

Conclusion

There you have it crispy, flavorful, homemade Air Fryer General Tso Chicken! It’s an easy, healthier way to enjoy a takeout favorite without leaving your house. Your family will love it, and you’ll feel good knowing it’s made from scratch. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!