I love ordering Chinese food and this Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken is the perfect homemade version. It’s a simple and flavorful dish that I make often! If you’ve never made it at home, now’s the time to give it a try.
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The sauce is thick with a bit of spice, just like the General's chicken recipe that you know and love. Plus, it has a savory-sweet balance that makes it extra delicious!
If you like easy Asian dinner recipes, you will love Ginger Chicken, Singapore Street Noodles, Kung Pao Bowl, Beef with Garlic Sauce and Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs.
Why You’ll Love This General Tso's Chicken Recipe
- A great 30-minute meal: Once everything is prepared and marinated, it only takes 25 minutes to cook!
- Healthier version: The air fryer method uses less oil for a healthy version of a takeout favorite.
- Pairs well with any side dish: From rice to veggies, there are several sides that you can serve with this air fryer Chinese chicken.
Ingredients
Below is everything you need for marinating and cooking the chicken, as well as the General Tso's sauce. The ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. Check the international foods section for specialty items like rice vinegar!
For the chicken
- Chicken thighs: I find chicken thighs work best for this recipe because they stay juicy and don’t dry out as quickly as other cuts. You can use chicken breasts, but be sure to watch the cooking time, as they cook faster.
- Spices: I use black pepper, salt, and garlic powder to season the chicken before coating it in cornstarch. As it marinates, it will infuse the flavors for a tastier result.
- Soy sauce: Not only does the soy sauce add a deep umami flavor that enhances the overall dish, but it also helps tenderize the chicken.
- Egg: This is essential for helping the cornstarch stick to the chicken, giving it a crispier crust.
- Cornstarch: I prefer cornstarch over flour because it keeps the coating light and crispy.
- Oil: I brush my chicken with olive oil before air frying it. Cooking spray is great for this, too. It helps the chicken to get a good crunch on the outside.
For the sauce
- Soy sauce: For the classic umami flavor you get from Chinese takeout, soy sauce is essential.
- Brown sugar: The sweetness of the brown sugar perfectly balances the savory and spicy notes in the sauce. I like to use brown sugar instead of white sugar because of the subtle molasses flavor and notes of caramel.
- Rice vinegar: Brightens the sauce and adds a mild acidity without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Ketchup: The tomato base and sweetness of the ketchup add depth to the General Tso sauce as well.
- Chicken stock: Instead of using water, chicken stock or broth is great to add volume to the sauce.
- Garlic: For depth and a delicious aroma, you have to use freshly minced garlic.
- Dried chiles: This is where you get the spice, The chiles become rehydrated in the sauce and add the perfect amount of heat. You can also use red pepper flakes if you’d like.
- Cornstarch and water: These are used to make a slurry that thickens the sauce, helping it coat the chicken pieces perfectly.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add veggies: Amp up the recipe by adding tasty veggies to coat in the spicy sauce. I like to use snap peas, bell peppers, and water chestnuts. Use fresh or frozen!
- Make it sweeter: To sweeten up the sauce, add some honey. It adds great floral notes, too.
- Add orange: Citrus pairs great with the other flavors. Add orange juice and orange zest for a fun twist.
How to Make General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer
Here are the instructions on how to make homemade General Tso's chicken in the air fryer. I like to have my air fryer preheated to 375°F so it’s nice and hot when I add the chicken. You should also make the sauce while the chicken cooks, so it’s all ready at the same time!
Step 1: Prepare and marinate the chicken. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-2-inch pieces. Then, place them in a large bowl with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, soy sauce, and egg. Toss to coat the chicken and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Coat the chicken. Grab your marinated chicken and use a plate or shallow bowl for the cornstarch. Coat the chicken pieces evenly with the cornstarch.
Step 3: Begin cooking. Place the coated chicken pieces in your preheated air fryer basket. Spray them with cooking spray and air fry for about 8 minutes.
Step 4: Finish cooking. Flip the chicken pieces, spray the other side, and continue air fryer for another 6-7 minutes. Repeat this process for any remaining chicken.
Step 5: Make the sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, and stock until well combined. Begin cooking over medium heat.
Step 6: Thicken the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and then add your cornstarch slurry. Whisk the sauce for about 1-2 minutes or until it thickens.
Step 7: Cover the chicken with sauce. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and pour in the sauce.
Step 8: Toss, garnish, and serve. Toss the chicken pieces with the sauce until well coated. Enjoy the General Tso's chicken with rice or another side, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
⭐ Hint: Don’t preheat your air fryer until about 10-15 minutes before you’re ready to cook the chicken.
If you love Asian air fryer chicken recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Air Fryer Orange Chicken.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze the chicken for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Reheating: Reheat this air fryer Asian chicken in the microwave or the air fryer until warmed through.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the chicken and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Then, air fry it according to the recipe directions.
Serving Suggestions
- I love making this Skillet Broccoli and coating it in the sauce. This Sweet and Sour Green Beans and Corn recipe is also a great vegetable side dish.
- Serve the chicken alongside this flavorful Chicken Fried Rice or with a side of plain white or brown rice.
- Make this chicken recipe to serve with these Black Bean Noodles or this Shrimp Lo Mein if you prefer noodles instead of rice. Feel free to omit the beef and shrimp if you’d like.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: If you overcrowd the basket, parts of the chicken will not be as crispy. Therefore, keep in mind that you might need to cook the chicken in batches if your air fryer basket isn’t big enough.
- Keep the coating light: Shake off any excess cornstarch before putting the pieces of chicken into the air fryer. A lighter coating will also crisp up better.
- Be generous with the cooking spray: Don’t be shy with the cooking spray or oil. This helps the chicken get a beautiful color in the air fryer.
Recipe FAQs
This is likely caused by an overcrowded basket or if your air fryer wasn’t preheated. I recommend cooking the chicken in batches and shaking them halfway through to ensure they are crispy and evenly cooked.
This may be because the sauce has been over-reduced. Add some more chicken stock to thin it out and taste test to adjust the seasonings as needed.
Of course! Leave it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or even overnight!
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More Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cornstarch for coating
- Olive oil or cooking spray
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 2-3 dried red chiles or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch for slurry
- 2 tablespoons water for slurry
For Garnish
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
For Serving
- 2 cups cooked white rice optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-2 inch pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, soy sauce, and a beaten egg. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, then refrigerate the chicken for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, and chicken stock. Stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated, then set the bowl aside. This sauce base will be used later to coat the crispy chicken pieces.
- Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator. Working one piece at a time, coat the chicken thoroughly in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly covered. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If necessary, work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the coated chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces over and spray them again. Continue cooking for another 6-7 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, pour in the sauce base you prepared earlier and bring it to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Transfer the chicken to a medium size bowl and pour the thickened sauce over the chicken. Gently toss the chicken pieces until they are thoroughly coated with the sauce. Make sure each piece gets a glossy layer of that sweet and spicy goodness. I recommend serving your General Tso's chicken over a bed of white or brown rice and garnishing it with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
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Notes
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- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: If you overcrowd the basket, parts of the chicken will not be as crispy. Therefore, keep in mind that you might need to cook the chicken in batches if your air fryer basket isn’t big enough.
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- Keep the coating light: Shake off any excess cornstarch before putting the pieces of chicken into the air fryer. A lighter coating will also crisp up better.
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- Be generous with the cooking spray: Don’t be shy with the cooking spray or oil. This helps the chicken get a beautiful color in the air fryer.
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