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–+ servings
David Murphy

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

This crispy chicken air-fried chicken with silky Chinese sauce and crunchy peanuts will surely be your new go-to recipe when you need to make something delicious quickly.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: Entree

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 chicken breasts cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
For Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 2 tablespoon cooking wine Chinese cooking wine
  • ½ cup water
For Stirfry
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
  • 4-5 dry red chilies cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into cubes
  • Green onions cut into ½ inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon corn-starch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts

Instructions
 

  1. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients under the chicken section and marinate it for 3-4 minutes. (If time permits)
  2. Whisk all the ingredients under sauce and keep aside while your chicken is marinating.
  3. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 180-degree C (350-degree F). Brush the basket with a little oil and put the marinated chicken in it (8-10 per batch). Brush a little oil on top. Cook for 3 minutes on one side then turn and cook for another 3 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat with other chicken pieces.
  4. Next heat oil in a pan, add chopped ginger and garlic, fry until garlic becomes fragrant.
  5. Add dried red chilies and cubed red and green bell peppers. Stir fry it for a few seconds.
  6. Give the prepared sauce a mix, then pour it into the pan and bring it to a boil.
  7. In a small bowl mix together cornstarch and water and add it to the sauce.
  8. Add green onions, grounded black pepper, and air-fried chicken in the pan and mix all the ingredients in the sauce until the chicken is evenly coated and the sauce thickens.
  9. Stir in peanuts, toss well, and cook for 2 minutes.
  10. Serve hot with rice and enjoy.

Notes

  • Marinating chicken in cornstarch, vinegar, egg white, and soy sauce not only makes chicken extremely flavorful but also provides a protective coating that holds the moisture inside the chicken. This makes it tender from the inside and crispy from the outside.
  • You can add or omit vegetables in stir fry according to your liking.
  • Ensure that the sauce thickens and coats each and every piece of chicken properly before serving.

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