Easy General Tso Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer
If you're looking for a simple dinner idea your family will love, it doesn't get much better than this easy General Tso chicken recipe! You can whip up a classic Chinese dinner in minutes with just three simple ingredients in the air fryer. And since it's packed with flavor thanks to the combination of crispy chicken and spicy sauce, this takeout copycat will surely be a hit with everyone at the dinner table.
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What Do I Need to Make This Easy General Tso Chicken Recipe?
Since you can whip up this easy dinner recipe with just three ingredients, it's perfect for a busy weeknight. The next time you're tempted to order takeout, grab these ingredients and make your own General Tso's chicken at home.
- Frozen popcorn chicken
- General Tso's sauce
- White rice
How Do I Make This Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe?
Using your air fryer to whip up a batch of Chinese chicken is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious dinner for your family tonight. The best part about this simple recipe is that it's ready in under 20 minutes! Just follow these quick steps to make your favorite Chinese takeout dinner at home.
Step One: Air Fry the Chicken
Before you can turn your frozen chicken into General Tso chicken, you'll need to cook it until it's nice and crispy. Arrange the popcorn chicken in an even layer in the basket or tray of your air fryer. Set the fryer to cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, tossing the chicken halfway through the cook time to ensure each piece is evenly baked.
Step Two: Toss in the Sauce
When the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a bowl and add the General Tso's sauce. Toss the chicken until each piece is fully coated in sauce.
Step Three: Serve with Rice
Serve the coated chicken over cooked white rice and top with chopped green onion for garnish.
How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken
Once your frozen chicken is cooked and the sauce added, you can enjoy your General Tso chicken in various ways. Try serving your crispy chicken with some of these side dish options.
- Rice. The most popular way to eat General Tso chicken is over a bed of rice. You can serve your chicken with plain white rice, brown rice, or even fried rice.
- Vegetables. For a healthier side dish, serve your chicken with vegetables. Add some stir-fried veggies, broccoli, or cauliflower to the plate to round out the meal.
- Noodles. In addition to rice, noodles are a popular side dish to enjoy with a Chinese-inspired main course. Try serving your chicken with lo mien noodles, rice noodles, or ramen noodles.
Can I Cook General Tso Chicken in the Oven?
Cooking the chicken in the air fryer makes this easy recipe even simpler. But if you don't have an air fryer, you can cook your chicken in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and arrange the chicken in an even layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until crispy. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
Once the chicken is finished cooking, toss it in the sauce and serve it with your favorite side dish.
General Tso Chicken Recipe Ideas
This recipe is so simple to make that it's also easy to adjust. Try these substitution ideas if you're looking for ways to change the basic ingredients.
- Use fresh chicken. If you want to reduce the carb count in your chicken dinner, you can also prepare this chicken without breading. In place of the frozen popcorn chicken, try cooking diced chicken breasts or thighs in the air fryer until cooked. Then, toss in the premade sauce.
- Make your own sauce. Not a fan of storebought sauce? Try making your own General Tso sauce by combining Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
How Do You Store Leftover General Tso’s Chicken?
This recipe is prepared with frozen chicken, which means it's best when it's enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer. But if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to reheat them. The chicken will stay good for up to three days, but will become less crispy the longer it's stored.
You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave until heated through. But if you prefer your leftover chicken to be crispy, it's a good idea to warm the pieces up in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees for around 5 minutes.
Can You Freeze General Tso Chicken?
Since this General Tso chicken recipe is made using frozen chicken, it's not a good idea to refreeze the chicken after it's cooked. Luckily, this chicken recipe is so simple to make, there's no reason to prep the ingredients in advance!
What to Serve with General Tso's Chicken
General Tso's Chicken is a beloved dish known for its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. But to make your meal truly memorable, you'll want to pair it with the right sides. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just cooking at home, here are some fantastic accompaniments for this iconic Chinese-American dish.
Steamed White Rice: A classic choice that never fails. The fluffy texture and mild flavor of steamed white rice perfectly complement the bold flavors of General Tso's Chicken.
Fried Rice: For added flavor, consider serving fried rice. This can be a great way to use up leftover vegetables and rice while adding various textures to your meal.
Brown Rice: If you're looking for a healthier option, brown rice offers a nutty flavor and chewy texture that pairs well with the dish.
Lo Mein Noodles: Soft, stir-fried noodles with vegetables and soy sauce make a satisfying side dish that enhances the overall meal experience.
Chow Mein Noodles: Chow mein noodles are excellent for a bit of crunch. Their stir-fried texture is slightly crispy, providing a delightful contrast to the tender chicken.
Vegetable Spring Rolls: Filled with fresh veggies, spring rolls offer a light and crunchy complement to your meal.
Steamed Broccoli: This healthy option adds a splash of color and a fresh bite, making it a great side to balance the richness of General Tso's Chicken.
Stir-fried Bok Choy: Stir-fried bok choy is a light and flavorful side dish that is a great way to add some greens to your plate.
Asian Slaw: A crunchy, tangy slaw made with cabbage, carrots, and a sesame dressing can be a refreshing counterpoint to the bold flavors of General Tso's Chicken.
Easy General Tso Chicken Recipe in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounce package frozen popcorn chicken
- 15 ounce bottle General Tso’s sauce
- 2 cups white rice cooked
- Green onions for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange the chicken in an even layer in the air fryer tray or basket.
- Set the air fryer to cook for 10 minutes, tossing the chicken halfway through the cook time.
- When the chicken is finished cooking, transfer to a bowl and toss in the sauce.
- Serve over prepared rice with chopped green onion for garnish.
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