Craving a quick and delicious meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for convenience? Look no further than General Tso’s Chicken! This dish is a symphony of savory, sweet, and spicy notes, all while being surprisingly easy to make and healthier than your average takeout. As a busy parent, I love that I can whip up a family-pleasing meal in under 30 minutes without feeling guilty about serving something unhealthy. Try it and see for yourself!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My first experience with General Tso’s Chicken wasn’t in a fancy restaurant, but at a small family gathering hosted by a friend who had lived in China. His grandmother shared her closely guarded recipe, and the harmony of ginger, garlic, and chili peppers mingled with the perfectly crispy chicken created an unforgettable taste. I’ve tried countless General Tso’s Chicken recipes since then, and this one is a tribute to that authentic, heartwarming experience.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Oil, for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 dried red chilies, or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Garnish (Optional):
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Set Aside Place the fried chicken pieces on a paer towel of the excess oil and set them aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, and chicken broth.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Add dried red chilies or red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).
- Combine and Toss: Add the fried chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve General Tso’s Chicken hot over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.
General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.Oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Drain and Set Aside Place the fried chicken pieces on a paer towel of the excess oil and set them aside.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, and chicken broth.1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 cup chicken broth
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon ginger, 2 cloves garlic
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Add dried red chilies or red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 cup chicken broth, 1-2 dried red chilies, or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Combine and Toss: Add the fried chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 cup chicken broth
- Serve: Serve General Tso’s Chicken hot over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.Sesame seeds, Chopped green onions
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