Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken — There’s a new way to fry your favorite fried foods without the mess and hassle of frying with oil. We’re talking about Air Fryers! So, today, forget about getting Chinese Take-Out. Today you make this delicious dish right in your air fryer!
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken, one of the tastiest dishes, is now prepared with the air fryer’s help. Golden fried chicken crisped up with a delicious homemade Kung Pao Sauce, 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 such a healthy alternative to Chinese take-out.
If you love Chinese food, you will absolutely 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 Food Restaurants; it is Chinese-American. The dishes’ roots are from 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.
What’s in Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken?
Today, we swapped out the traditional boneless and skinless chicken breast for chicken thighs since they do amazingly in the air fryer. I added some red pepper, zucchini for some fresh flavors, and chili pods to get some heat that the dish is famous for. And topped off the plate with traditional scallions and dry roasted peanuts, which brought the entire dish together.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Soy sauce
- Granulated Sugar
- Rice Vinegar
- Oyster Sauce
- Chicken Stock
- Cornstarch
- Red Bell Peppers
- Zucchini
- Green onions
- Dry Roasted Peanuts
- Dried Chili Pods
- Minced Garlic
- Seasonings: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt
- Olive Oil Spray
How To Make Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken
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 spray, 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 spray. Air Fry for 9 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 minutes and spraying with more olive oil spray. 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 part of the 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 covered and the sauce reduces. Add the peanuts and toss to combine. Serve immediately with the green part of the scallions for garnish.
What Do You Serve It With?
One of the things I love about this Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken is its protein and vegetables.
Serve it with traditional Chinese Side Dishes, such as steamed rice or brown basmati if preferred! It makes for a great and easy complete meal! Even a garden salad will work here!
My kids love it as part of a larger Chinese meal, served alongside some of my other favorite Asian or Chinese Inspired Dishes, such as AIR FRYER CHINESE SPARE RIBS, AIR FRYER CHINESE DONUTS, INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHINESE FRIED RICE, AIR FRYER, STIR-FRIED BOK CHOY (USING NINJA FOODI)AIR FRYER.
How To Make Trader Joe’s Frozen Kung Pao Chicken In The Air Fryer!
A very common question I get asked with this recipe is how to make Trader Joe’s Frozen Kung Pao Chicken In The Air Fryer. Here is how to make it perfectly every single time!
- Place the frozen chicken into the air fryer basket, a single layer, you will cook the vegetables later. But, while the chicken is air frying, add your sauce to a bowl of hot water.
- Set the temperature to 380 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 7 minutes.
- Add the vegetables, and air fry for another 4 to 7 minutes, at 380 degrees F, air fryer setting, or until the dish is cooked through.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should be 165 degrees F, before removing it.
- Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a large bowl, and toss them with the sauce and peanuts.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Used In This Recipe:
Philips Kitchen Appliances Digital Twin TurboStar Airfryer XXL, with Fat Removal Technology, 3 Lbs, Black, HD9650/96
Don’t Forget To Pin:
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.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Cooking Spray
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
