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Crispy Air Fryer General Tso Chicken Recipe with Fluffy Scallion Rice

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy General Tso chicken made in the air fryer, paired with fluffy scallion rice. This homemade version delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures without deep-frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (for marinade)
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (for marinade)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (for coating)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (for sauce)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
  • 1 tsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
  • 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
  • 1 ¾ cup water or chicken broth
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken by combining 2 tbsp soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, grated ginger, minced garlic, and 1 tsp cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat, and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare the coating by mixing ¼ cup cornstarch with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge marinated chicken pieces in the cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. Make the sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and sesame oil. Heat in a small saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Cook the scallion rice by rinsing rice until water runs clear. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat, sauté white parts of scallions for 1 minute. Add rice and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in water or broth, add salt, bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  6. Toss crispy chicken in the sauce until well coated. Fluff rice with a fork and fold in green parts of scallions. Serve chicken over scallion rice immediately.

Notes

Do not skip the cornstarch coating for crispiness. Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes for flavor and tenderness. Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Shake air fryer basket halfway through cooking. Make sauce last-minute to keep it glossy. Rinse rice to remove excess starch and sauté scallion whites for flavor. If sauce is too thick, thin with water. For extra crispiness, air fry chicken 2 minutes after saucing. Use tamari and arrowroot powder for gluten-free version. Pan-frying is an alternative if no air fryer is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: General Tso chicken, air fryer, crispy chicken, scallion rice, easy Chinese recipe, homemade takeout, quick dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-general-tso-chicken-recipe-with-fluffy-scallion-rice-easy-and-homemade/