How to Make General Tso Chicken in Air Fryer: A Delicious and Healthier Option
If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, then you’ve probably heard of General Tso Chicken. It’s a popular dish known for its crispy and flavorful chicken pieces in a tangy and slightly spicy sauce. Traditionally, this dish is deep-fried, which can make it quite unhealthy due to the excessive amount of oil used. But fear not, because with the help of an air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious dish in a much healthier way! In this article, we will guide you through the process of making General Tso Chicken in an air fryer, giving you a guilt-free option for enjoying this beloved recipe.
Gathering Your Ingredients
The first step in making General Tso Chicken in an air fryer is to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
– Chicken:
You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe. Make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for easier cooking.
– Cornstarch:
Cornstarch will be used to coat the chicken, giving it that crispy texture.
– Soy sauce:
Soy sauce is an essential ingredient in any Chinese dish, as it adds a savory and umami flavor.
– Rice vinegar:
Rice vinegar will provide a slightly acidic and tangy taste to the dish.
– Hoisin sauce:
Hoisin sauce is a thick and dark sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It has a sweet and savory flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in General Tso Chicken.
– Brown sugar:
A little bit of brown sugar will add a touch of sweetness to balance out the flavors.
– Garlic and ginger:
These aromatic ingredients are commonly used in Chinese cooking and will give the dish a rich and fragrant taste.
– Red pepper flakes:
If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to give your General Tso chicken a spicy kick.
– Green onions:
Green onions will be used as a garnish, adding a fresh and crunchy element to the finished dish.
Preparing the Chicken
Before you start cooking, it’s important to properly prepare the chicken. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Begin by patting the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This step will help the cornstarch adhere better to the chicken.
2. In a large bowl, coat the chicken pieces with cornstarch. Make sure that each piece is evenly coated.
3. Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
4. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. You may need to cook the chicken in batches if your air fryer is not large enough.
5. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for approximately 15-20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
Making the General Tso Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the General Tso sauce. Here’s how:
1. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes.
2. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
3. Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat and set it aside. It will continue to thicken as it cools down.
Putting it All Together
Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is ready, it’s time to bring it all together. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Transfer the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl.
2. Pour the General Tso sauce over the chicken and toss well until each piece is coated evenly.
3. Transfer the sauced chicken back to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will help the sauce to caramelize and cling to the chicken.
4. Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.
5. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.
A Healthier Option
By making General Tso Chicken in an air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious dish with significantly fewer calories and less oil compared to traditional deep-fried methods. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the food, resulting in a crispy exterior without the need for excessive amounts of oil.
Additionally, by controlling the ingredients and cooking process yourself, you can reduce the sodium content and choose healthier alternatives to certain ingredients. For example, you can opt for reduced-sodium soy sauce or use a sugar substitute instead of brown sugar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making General Tso Chicken in an air fryer allows you to enjoy this popular Chinese dish in a healthier way. By using less oil and controlling the ingredients, you can still achieve that crispy and flavorful result without all the unnecessary calories. So, grab your air fryer and give this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!