General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce.
It typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies, often served with steamed broccoli and white rice.
Ingredients:
Chicken:
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- 1 to 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for marinating)
- 1 cup cornstarch or a mix of cornstarch and flour for coating
For the Sauce:
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- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons sugar (brown or white)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil
Optional:
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- chili garlic sauce, Sambal Oelek, or red pepper flakes for heat
Aromatics:
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1-2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Dried red chilies or chili flakes
Directions:
Marinate the Chicken:
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- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Toss the chicken in the beaten egg.
Coat the Chicken:
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- Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in cornstarch or your flour-cornstarch mix until well coated.
Fry the Chicken:
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- Heat oil in a deep fryer or a large skillet to about 350°F.
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4-6 minutes.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Make the Sauce:
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- In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, chicken broth, vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and the cornstarch slurry.
- In a clean pan or wok, heat a small amount of oil, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add the dried chilies or flakes.
Combine:
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- Pour in the sauce mixture, bring to a simmer, and let it thicken slightly.
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- If the sauce thickens too much, you can add a bit more water or broth to adjust the consistency.
Serve:
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- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot over steamed white rice with a side like broccoli.
Notes:
Spiciness: Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer chilies or chili flakes.
Crispiness: For extra crispiness, some recipes suggest double frying the chicken.
Sauce Variation: Some recipes might include ingredients like orange zest or juice for a citrus twist, or use less sugar for a less sweet flavor.
General Tso’s Chicken, while not authentically Chinese in its current form, has become a beloved staple in Chinese-American cuisine, offering that perfect balance of flavors that’s often described as better than takeout when made fresh at home.
Let me know if you want tips on making it spicier, healthier, or where to find the best takeout version near you.
Enjoy!!
