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–+ servings

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.
David Murphy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Serving Size 4

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

  • In a large bowl mix all the ingredients under the chicken section and marinate it for 3-4 minutes. (If time permits)
  • Whisk all the ingredients under sauce and keep aside while your chicken is marinating.
  • 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.
  • Next heat oil in a pan, add chopped ginger and garlic, fry until garlic becomes fragrant.
  • Add dried red chilies and cubed red and green bell peppers. Stir fry it for a few seconds.
  • Give the prepared sauce a mix, then pour it into the pan and bring it to a boil.
  • In a small bowl mix together cornstarch and water and add it to the sauce.
  • 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.
  • Stir in peanuts, toss well, and cook for 2 minutes.
  • 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.