Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken — Looking for a new recipe to try in your air fryer? Look no further than his easy Air FryerKung Pao Chicken Recipe, perfect for busy weeknights!
Air-fried Kung Pao Chicken, one of the tastiest dishes, is now prepared with the help of the air fryer. Golden-fried chicken crisped up with a delicious homemade Kung Pao Sauce is better than any Chinese Food Restaurant.
Usually, this popular Chinese chicken dish is a stir fry dish, but we used the air fryer today to prepare this fantastic Kung Pao Chicken dish. Served with a healthy serving of fresh vegetables, it’s incredible and a healthy alternative to Chinese take-out.
If you love Chinese food, you will love some of my other Air Fryer Chinese Recipes. Here are some of my favorites:
- AIR FRYER CHINESE SPARE RIBS
- AIR FRYER CHINESE DONUTS
- INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHINESE FRIED RICE
- AIR FRYER, STIR-FRIED BOK CHOY (USING NINJA FOODI)
What Is Kung Pao Chicken?
Kung Pao Chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Chinese Restaurants. It is Chinese-American, but its roots are in Sichuan. Thanks to the locally grown Sichuan pepper, Kung Pao chicken is one of Sichuan’s most popular cuisines.
The core ingredients are diced chicken and served with a traditional Kung Pao Sauce.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Healthier Alternative: Thanks to air frying, you can enjoy all the bold flavors of traditional Kung Pao Chicken with less oil and fewer calories.
- Crispy Texture: The air fryer ensures that the chicken comes out perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside, creating a delightful contrast in texture with every bite.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: With minimal prep work and hands-off cooking in the air fryer, this recipe is speedy and easy to make, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you’re short on time but still craving a delicious meal.
- Customizable Heat Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or chili paste to suit your taste preferences, whether you prefer a mild heat or an extra-spicy kick. It’s customizable to satisfy your cravings.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve your Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. The endless options allow you to get creative with your presentation and accompaniments.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: This Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken will surely become a family favorite loved by adults and kids alike. With its irresistible flavor and crispy texture, it’s a dish that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken
Here are the simple ingredients to make homemade Kung Pao Chicken in an air fryer.
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful, boneless skinless chicken thighs are the star protein of this dish, providing a tender base for the savory Kung Pao Chicken.
- Soy Sauce: Infusing the dish with a rich umami flavor, soy sauce adds depth and saltiness, enhancing the dish’s overall taste.
- Granulated Sugar: Balancing out the savory flavors, granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy.
- Rice Vinegar: Providing a subtle tanginess, rice vinegar brightens the dish and adds a refreshing acidity to the sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce adds richness and depth of flavor, contributing to the savory complexity of the sauce and enhancing its overall depth and richness.
- Chicken Stock: Chicken stock serves as the base of the sauce, adding depth and richness to the dish and providing a flavorful backdrop for the other ingredients.
- Cornstarch: Acting as a thickening agent, cornstarch helps to create a glossy and velvety texture to the sauce, ensuring that it coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Red Bell Peppers: Providing vibrant color and a sweet flavor, red bell peppers add a delicious crunch and freshness to the dish.
- Zucchini: Offering a tender texture and mild flavor, zucchini adds a refreshing element to the dish, complementing the other ingredients.
- Green Onions: Adds mild onion flavor and vibrant color.
- Dry Roasted Peanuts: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Dried Chili Pods: Dried chili pods infuse the dish with heat and spice, adding a fiery kick to the sauce and enhancing its complexity and depth of flavor.
- Minced Garlic: Minced garlic adds aromatic flavor and a spicy and savory element to the dish, enhancing its depth and richness.
- Seasonings (Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt): Garlic powder, onion powder, and salt add additional layers of flavor and enhance the savory profile of the dish, balancing out the other ingredients.
- Olive Oil Spray: Used for cooking and to prevent sticking, olive oil spray adds a hint of flavor while ensuring that the chicken and vegetables cook evenly in the air fryer.
How To Make Kung Pao Chicken In An Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step directions:
Prepare The Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife. Place them into a medium-sized bowl. Toss with the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Add the cornstarch and mix until the pieces are coated. Set aside.
Cook The Vegetables: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Add the red bell pepper and zucchini to the basket, spray with olive oil, and shake the basket to coat in the oil. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes, until the veggies are tender, crisp, and starting to char. Set aside.
Air-Fry The Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with olive oil, add the chicken in an even layer, and spray with olive oil. Set the cooking time for 9-12 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 minutes and spraying with more olive oil. The chicken is ready when its internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Prepare The Kung Pao Sauce: Whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, stock, vinegar, and oyster sauce in a small bowl and set aside. Add the oil, chili pods, garlic, and white part of the scallions in a large skillet over high heat. Cook constantly, stirring for 30 seconds. Add the sauce to the pan and let bubble for 15 seconds. Immediately add the cooked peppers, zucchini, and chicken to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce. Continue to cook until everything is covered and the sauce reduces. Add the peanuts and toss to combine. Serve immediately with the green part of the scallions for garnish.
Pro Tips
Here are some pro tips for making Kung Pao Chicken in the air fryer:
- Prep Ingredients Ahead: Mix your ingredients and measure your sauces and spices before cooking. This ensures you can quickly add them as needed, keeping the cooking process smooth and efficient.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the chicken. A preheated air fryer ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately, helping to achieve a crispy exterior.
- Cook in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches to ensure that each piece has enough space to cook evenly and become crispy.
- Shake Basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. This helps to achieve a uniformly crispy texture on all sides of the chicken.
- Customize Heat Level: Adjust the amount of dried chili pods or chili paste to control the dish’s spiciness according to your preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
- Garnish with Peanuts: Garnish the finished Kung Pao Chicken with dry roasted peanuts for an extra crunch and nutty flavor. This adds texture and depth to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Kung Pao Chicken immediately after cooking to enjoy it at its crispiest and most flavorful. Pair it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings or ingredients to customize the dish. Add ginger or garlic for extra aroma, or swap out vegetables for your favorites to create your unique version of Kung Pao Chicken.
- Serving Suggestions: AIR FRYER CHINESE SPARE RIBS, AIR FRYER CHINESE DONUTS, INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHINESE FRIED RICE, AIR FRYER, STIR-FRIED BOK CHOY.
Faq’s
Can I make Kung Pao Chicken in the air fryer? Yes, you can make Kung Pao Chicken in the air fryer! While traditionally stir-fried in a wok, the air fryer provides a convenient and healthier alternative for achieving crispy chicken without deep frying.
What ingredients do I need for Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken? The main ingredients for Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken typically include boneless chicken, soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, peanuts, and vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini. You’ll also need cornstarch for coating the chicken.
Can I adjust the spice level of Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken? Yes, you can adjust the spice level of Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken to suit your taste preferences. Add more or less red chili flakes, chili paste, or dried chili pods to control the heat level of the dish.
What can I serve with Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken? Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken pairs well with steamed rice or noodles. You can also serve it with stir-fried vegetables or a side salad for a complete and balanced meal.
Can I make Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken ahead of time? While Kung Pao Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare some components ahead of time, such as marinating the chicken or chopping the vegetables. However, it’s recommended to cook and assemble the dish just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.
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Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken
Description
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablepoons chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
Other:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 10 dried chili pods
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large scallions, thinly sliced, white part and green part, separated
- 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces, place it into a medium-sized bowl and toss with the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Add the cornstarch and mix until the pieces are coated. Set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, add the red bell pepper and zucchini onto the basket, spray with olive oil, and shake the basket to coat in the oil. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes until the veggies are tender, crisp, and starting to char. Set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with olive oil spray, add the chicken in an even layer and spray with more olive oil spray. Air fry for 9 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 minutes, and spray with more olive oil. Air Fry for 9 minutes, shake the basket every 3 minutes and spray with more olive oil. Chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- For the sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, stock, vinegar, and oyster sauce, set aside.
- In a large skillet over high heat, add the oil, chili pods, garlic, and white scallions. Cook constantly stirring for 30 seconds. Add the sauce to the pan and let bubble for 15 seconds. Immediately add the cooked peppers, zucchini, and chicken to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce. Continue to cook until everything is coated and the sauce reduces. Add the peanuts and toss to combine. Serve immediately with the green part of the scallions for garnish.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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