Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (2024)

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This Healthy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is still fried but “fried” in the air fryer and can be made in less than 30 minutes. Top it with the amazing general tso’s sauce for an easy and quick weeknight dinner.

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (1)

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I have a few rules when it comes to General Tso’s chicken. It must have crunch, it must have a little spice, and it must be saucy! At least that was my experience the first time I tried this dish.

It was almost 10 years ago when I first had it at a restaurant in Durham, NC during law school. I first tried this dish during a study break with friends and I fell in love.

It was also during this study break that I bit into one of the hot peppers that comes in the dish and I couldn’t breathe for a good minute. The peppers are not to be eaten, the peppers are not to be eaten. I wish I knew that before I took a bite.

Despite the incident with the pepper, the dish was delicious. The chicken had the perfect crunch and the sauce was a perfect combination of sweet and salty. The depth of flavor was amazing. It’s a dish that I came to love and recreate in my kitchen quite often.

Initially, my general process when creating general Tso’s chicken was to batter and fry the chicken pieces until crunchy and then coat them in my sauce.

Although delicious, it became a bit cumbersome for weeknight dinners. My deep fryer broke which was a bummer and the time it took to heat oil on the stovetop just didn’t fit into my tight schedule for weeknights.

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (2)

So one night when my daughter requested this for dinner, a light bulb clicked in my head and I found that my Air Fryer would be the perfect fix. It became a win win because the air fryer cut the time it took to prepare the general tso chicken recipe but it also became my new healthy general tso chicken recipe since I needed no oil to fry it.

I initially purchased my air fryer to deal with a pregnancy craving I had for french fries. Well to be fair, I always crave french fries so I shouldn’t blame that on pregnancy. Either way, I use my air fryer for much more than french fries and I am excited to share with you all the recipes I create in this amazing appliance.

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (3)

What is an Air Fryer?

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (4)

So what’s an air fryer you may ask? In general, it’s an appliance that recreates fried foods without actually frying the food in tons of oil. It also roasts and bakes food but its main claim to fame is the fact that it can give the same texture as fried foods without using a ton of oil.

It’s a healthier option for home cooks who desire the delicious crunch that comes with fried foods but not the delicious calories and fat. It also tends to have a quicker cook time than many foods that are typically baked in the oven.

With help of my air fryer, I create this dish in less than 30 minutes. That’s right, I use the air fryer to prep my chicken and I create my sauce while that’s going.

There are a few tips and tricks to make this recipe a success. For one, you will want to coat your chicken pieces in potato starch. It’s a tip I picked up from This Old Gal.It provides the perfect crunch for the chicken pieces without changing the taste profile.

You will also want to make sure that your air fryer basket is properly oiled. I just put a little olive oil on a paper towel and rub it all over the bottom of my basket. That way the chicken pieces won’t stick when frying. This is the only oil you will need for frying the chicken pieces in this recipe. How awesome is that?!?

The last tip is to shake the air fryer basket about every 5 minutes when cooking. This will ensure that your chicken pieces are evenly cooked and crisp.

The beauty of this dish is that while your chicken pieces are cooking in the air fryer, you can work on creating your sauce on the stovetop. Dump the chicken pieces into the sauce when they are done cooking for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (5)

I like to serve our healthy general tso chicken recipe with a side of white rice I make in my Instant Pot. For veggies, I serve with steamed or air fried broccoli.

I hope you enjoy this healthy General Tso Chicken recipe in the air fryer as much as we do.

Looking for other Healthy Air Fryer Recipes? Try these out…

  • Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
  • Healthier Cheesesteak Factory Avocado Rolls
  • Crispy Air Fryer Fish
  • Air Fryer Meatloaf
  • Thin Air Fried Pork Chops (Japanese Tonkatsu Style)

Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (6)

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5 from 7 votes

Healthier General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

This healthy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is still fried but “fried” in the air fryer and can be made in less than 30 minutes. Top it with the amazing general tso sauce for an easy and quick weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 430kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1.5-2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1/3 cup potato starch
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 6 dried red chillies
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 2 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger minced
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoon corn starch
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Set Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat chicken thighs with potato starch making sure all pieces are fully covered. Use tongs to place chicken pieces in Air Fryer basket. Cook chicken pieces for 20-25 minutes until crispy, shaking basket every 5 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, prepare sauce by heating vegetable oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add green onions, dried chilies, garlic, and ginger and stir fry for about 1 minute, until chillies brighten in color and onions have softened.

  • Add brown sugar, chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and pinch of salt to the skillet and stir. Bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes.

  • Once chicken in air fryer is finished, add to sauce and stir in.

  • Create a thickener by whisking 2 teaspoons of corn starch in 1/4 cup cold water. Stir into boiling sauce and allow to cook for about 1 minute, until sauce has thickened.

  • Serve with rice and vegetable and Enjoy 🙂

Notes

Note for Healthy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Break a few of the chills peppers in half before adding to skillet for a spicier dish.

Suggested Tools for Healthy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

I have this Air FryerHealthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (7)

You will want to coat chicken withSilicone Kitchen Tongs Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (8)so coating stays on chicken when mixing and transferring to air fryer.

A skilletHealthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (9)for making the sauce on the stove top.

Some Ingredients You Will Need

Dried Red ChilliesHealthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (10)

Potato StarchHealthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (11)

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal

My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!

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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circ*mstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

Step by Step Photos of Healthy General Tso Chicken Recipe

Want more Chinese recipes? Try my Zucchini Mushroom Chicken Recipe.

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Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (19)
Healthier General Tso's Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer (2024)

FAQs

Is air fryer actually healthier? ›

Air frying uses less oil

This means that your food has fewer calories. Still, food isn't necessarily healthier just because it contains less oil. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, is rich in polyphenols and has known heart health benefits. Overall, air frying is healthier than deep-frying.

How healthy is air fried chicken? ›

Air fryers may be better for you than deep fryers, but they're only as healthy as the food you put inside. They won't magically remove the saturated fat from bacon or the trans fats from a bag of processed chicken wings. To reap the benefits, reach for better-for-you options like vegetables and lean proteins.

Is an air fryer healthier than an oven? ›

Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, fatty fish and lean meats are generally just as nutritious in the air fryer as in the oven. However, the air fryer isn't a "free pass" to eat unlimited amounts of higher-calorie foods just because it's healthier than deep frying.

Is it better to air fry or cook chicken? ›

The nod goes to the air fryer, but oven-fried chicken is a good dish, especially with larger amounts or if you do not own an air fryer. The air fryer is a high convection oven that efficiently cooks chicken, giving it a crispy coating with less oil than frying.

What is negative about air fryers? ›

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

What are the negatives of cooking in an air fryer? ›

Cons of Cooking with an Air Fryer:
  • Potential Loss of Nutrients: While air fryers boast being a healthier cooking option, there is a possibility of nutrient loss during the cooking process. ...
  • Formation of Acrylamide: ...
  • Limited Cooking Capacity: ...
  • Texture and Taste Differences:
Jul 12, 2023

Can you eat air fried chicken everyday? ›

Eating controlled portions of air-fried chicken or fish can be part of a healthy diet. Air frying uses less oil than deep frying, making it a favorable option. Boiling and steaming are also nutritious methods, preserving more nutrients compared to frying.

What is the healthiest way to cook chicken? ›

The healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it in the oven or stir fry it with vegetables. Put the parts in a baking pan, rub some olive oil on them, and surround them with plenty of garlic, lemon, carrots, or whatever you like. Bake at 350° until brown.

Is air fried chicken healthy for weight loss? ›

By most measures, air frying is healthier than frying in oil. It cuts calories by 70% to 80% and has a lot less fat. This cooking method might also cut down on some of the other harmful effects of oil frying.

What is the healthiest oil for air fryer? ›

Avocado oil is one of the best oils to use in the air fryer. Not only does it have a very high smoke point, it also has a neutral flavor and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

How do I prevent acrylamide in my air fryer? ›

Grab your pre-cut, starchy vegetables (think potatoes, squash, beets and other root vegetables), and soak them for a minimum of 15 minutes or longer in filtered water before preparing them for your recipe. This helps reduce the percentage of acrylamide formed.

What are the best foods to cook in an air fryer? ›

Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).

Can you air fry raw chicken? ›

You sure can. The first time I did it felt strange because all I'd ever cooked in there was vegetables and pre-cooked foods like chicken nuggets, tater tots, etc. As long as you cook your chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in an Air Fryer.

Why is air fried chicken so good? ›

The fryer uses electrical elements to heat the air and circulate it through the food. This process cooks the chicken quickly without drying it out, leaving you with crispy skin and juicy insides.

Why is air fryer chicken so juicy? ›

"Due to the compact design of an air fryer," Dang explains, "there's not as much room for the juices to evaporate like they sometimes do in other methods." Unlike laying your chicken out in a wide pan, the juices still remain close to the chicken instead of pooling out and evaporating as they might in the stove or the ...

What is the real truth about air fryers? ›

Air fryers 'fry' your food. Despite its name, an air fryer doesn't actually 'fry' your food at all – it bakes it. "The biggest misconception is that air fryers cook foods the same as deep frying," says Fiona. "They cook as an oven would, so foods are more oven baked than deep fried."

Is the air fryer healthier than a microwave? ›

Which is better: an air fryer or a microwave? An air fryer is ideal for cooking healthier, crispy dishes, while a microwave is best for quick reheating and defrosting. Choose the appliance that aligns with your specific cooking needs and preferences.

What I wish I knew before I get an air fryer? ›

6 things I wish I'd known before I bought an air fryer
  • Air fryers do not fry. Deep fried foods: not like air fried ones. ...
  • The air fryer parts you use most are easy to clean but the outer parts… not so much. ...
  • There's a war going on in the air fryer community! ...
  • Air fryers can be quite large.

Is grilling healthier than air frying? ›

moreover, air fryer is healthier as this uses less oil. in grill oven your food is fried using a fire, None of this is guarantees as far your health is concerned. An air fryer is more recommended than any of these roasted, grilled, slow-cooked or pan-seared styles of cooking.

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