Description
A classic Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. General Tso’s Chicken is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or to impress guests with its flavorful sauce and crunchy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish:
- Sliced green onions (optional)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, water, sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set this mixture aside to allow flavors to meld and cornstarch to dissolve.
- Coat the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in cornstarch, dip them in the beaten eggs, and then coat them lightly again with cornstarch to ensure a crispy texture after frying.
- Fry the chicken: Heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces in batches, cooking each batch for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown and are crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Cook the sauce: In a clean pan or wok, pour the prepared sauce and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces into the thickened sauce and toss well to coat each piece evenly. Ensure the chicken is heated through and well coated for flavor.
- Serve: Plate the General Tso’s Chicken immediately, garnishing with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve General Tso’s Chicken over steamed jasmine rice or with a side of stir-fried greens for a balanced meal.
- For a healthier twist, bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep frying to reduce oil content.
- Adjust spiciness by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or adding fresh chili slices to the sauce.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results or breasts for leaner meat.
- Ensure the oil reaches the proper temperature for frying to achieve a crispy coating without sogginess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
