This Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken is a healthier version of the classic Chinese takeout dish! Tender and crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy, tangy, and delicious sticky sauce. Ready to serve in just 30 minutes!
What Makes This Recipe Great
This air fryer General Tso’s chicken is a delicious and healthier version of the classic Chinese takeout dish. With the help of an air fryer, you can enjoy crispy and juicy chicken without the need for deep-frying. Recreating takeout recipes at home is actually really easy, budget-friendly, and so much healthier.
This dish is crispy, flavorful, and satisfying, and it’s a perfect meal for those who want to enjoy all the flavor and satisfaction of General Tso’s chicken without the high amounts of sugar. Featuring crispy chicken pieces coated in a homemade sweet and spicy General Tso sauce recipe. It’s so yummy!
Even better, I’ve created this recipe with allergies in mind. This air fryer General Tso chicken is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and absolutely divine. Did I mention it only takes 30 minutes to make?
Watch a Short Video of This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- arrowroot starch: You can replace arrowroot starch with tapioca starch.
- boneless skinless chicken thighs: You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but chicken thighs are juicier and work really well in this recipe.
- sesame oil
- garlic cloves: You can mince fresh garlic cloves or use a jar of minced garlic.
- fresh ginger
- red pepper flakes: Use to taste. Add more for extra spice or less for a more mild chicken.
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- chopped green onions and sesame seeds: Optional for garnish.
General Tso’s Sauce
- coconut aminos: I use this as an alternative to soy sauce and hoisin sauce in this General Tso sauce recipe. It has the same great taste but is soy-free and gluten-free!
- rice vinegar
- tomato paste
- coconut sugar: Or 1 Medjool date for Whole30. You can also use brown sugar if preferred.
- arrowroot starch
Step-by-Step instructions
- Combine all General Tso’s sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. (For the Whole30 version, blend the sauce in a blender to break up the Medjool date.)
- In a large bowl, stir together arrowroot starch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss together until the chicken is coated evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, and generously spray the tray or air fryer basket with cooking oil or cooking spray. Add the chicken to the air fryer in a single layer without touching each other and air fry for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy. You may need to do this in two batches.
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add sesame oil.
- Once hot, add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the prepared sauce and let it come to a boil while whisking. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thickened.
- Turn off the heat, add the chicken pieces to the saucepan, and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve with rice or cauliflower rice (for Whole30), sprinkled with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Expert Tips
- This recipe easily be made Whole30 by replacing coconut sugar with a Medjool date and serving over cauliflower rice.
- Cooking with an air fryer reduces the cook time, makes “fried” chicken so much healthier, and offers much easier cleanup.
- For best results, make sure to spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray and preheat before adding the chicken!
- Also, be sure to flip halfway through to get your chicken crispy all over.
Serving Tips
- Serve with fresh white rice or cauliflower rice, and garnish the chicken with green onions and sesame seeds. You can also serve it with freshly steamed broccoli. Eat with chopsticks for a real takeout feel!
Storage Tips
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! I made this recipe gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and refined-sugar-free. A much healthier “takeout” alternative that has less sugar than your average Chinese takeout.
Yes! Although this recipe does call for all the sauce, if you have leftovers or want to make a double batch of the general tso sauce, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week to use for later.
Make sure to include the arrowroot or tapioca starch to thicken the sauce. If you find the consistency is still too thin, you can add a little bit more, a ½ teaspoon at a time, then stir for a minute to thicken.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
General Tso's Sauce
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or 1 Medjool date, for Whole30
- 2 tsp arrowroot starch
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients for the General Tso's sauce in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. (For the Whole30 version, blend the sauce in a blender to break up the Medjool date.)
- In a large bowl, stir together arrowroot starch, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss together until the chicken is coated evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, and generously spray the tray or basket with cooking oil. Add the chicken in a single layer without touching each other and air fry for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy. You may need to do this in two batches.
- Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat and add sesame oil.
- Once hot, add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the prepared sauce and let it come to a boil while whisking. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thickened.
- Turn off heat, and add the chicken to the saucepan and toss to coat in sauce.
- Serve with rice or cauliflower rice (for Whole30) sprinkled with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Expert Tips
- This recipe easily be made Whole30 by replacing coconut sugar with a Medjool date and serving over cauliflower rice.
- Cooking with an air fryer reduces the cooking time, makes “fried” chicken so much healthier, and offers much easier cleanup.
- For best results, make sure to spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray and preheat before adding the chicken!
- Also, be sure to flip halfway through to get your chicken crispy.
Serving Tips
- Serve with fresh white rice or cauliflower rice, and garnish the chicken with green onions and sesame seeds. You can also serve it with freshly steamed broccoli. Eat with chopsticks for a real takeout feel!
Storage Tips
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Wow, this recipe was such a hit! Me and my family loved it!! Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it.
So so good! My husband loves general tso’s curb and this was amazing, especially while we’re doing whole30, will be making this even after we’re done!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for leaving a review.
An all time favorite!
Thaniks so much!
The sauce is so so delicious! My husband loves general tso’s and this recipe won his approval. Love the simplicity but also that it’s whole30!
I just saw my comment above😆. Goes to show how much we loved this recipe