4.7 from 87 votes
Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
This recipe features bite-sized boneless chicken thighs coated in cornstarch and cooked in an air fryer before being tossed in a flavorful General Tso’s sauce. The sauce includes soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and a balance of sweet and tangy elements. Using an air fryer creates a crispy texture similar to frying but with less oil.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
312 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Asian
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces, about 8 thighs
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce reduced sodium, or tamari if gluten free
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Sauce
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or other neutral-flavored oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- ⅛-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce reduced sodium, or tamari if gluten free
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce can use gluten-free hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- ¾ cup chicken stock reduced sodium
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 scallion sliced
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Mix the chicken with 2 teaspoons soy sauce and let it sit for a few minutes to marinate. Then, toss the chicken and cornstarch together in a large zip topped plastic bag until the chicken pieces are fully coated.
- Spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil and arrange the chicken pieces on the rack in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan (you may have to cook the chicken in batches). Cook 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Shake the basket halfway through. Remove the chicken and place on a plate. Cook the remaining chicken.
- To make the sauce, heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, chicken stock, vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil and simmer 2-3 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and add it to the saucepan. Simmer another minute or two until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Remove chicken from the air fryer and toss with the sauce. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve with brown rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use tamari and gluten-free hoisin sauce to keep this dish gluten free.
- If you don't have an air fryer, cook the chicken in a skillet with olive oil or bake on a sheet pan at 400°F until cooked through.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories
312kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
162mg
(54%)
Sodium
717mg
(30%)
Potassium
517mg
(11%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
119IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
32mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 312
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 312kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 717mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 517mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 119IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.