General Tso’s Chicken – If you’re craving an Asian-inspired dish that’s sure to impress, look no further than General Tso’s Chicken. This classic recipe features crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sauce that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, it’s easy to make at home, so you can enjoy the flavors of your favorite takeout dish without leaving the comfort of your own kitchen.
Whenever I make General Tso’s Chicken, my husband can hardly wait to dig in. It has become one of our family’s go-to meals, and we love to experiment with different variations of the recipe. One time, we even added some diced bell peppers and sliced water chestnuts for some extra crunch and flavor. No matter how we make it, though, we always enjoy the perfect balance of heat and sweetness in the sauce, combined with the crispy texture of the fried chicken.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try?
- This recipe has the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
- It’s easy to make at home, with simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
- The crispy fried chicken is made even more delicious by the flavorful sauce, which is made with hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- This recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking by adding vegetables or adjusting the spice level.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes (680 g)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (94 g)
- 3/4 cup cornstarch (90 g)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (118 ml)
For the General Tso’s Sauce:
- 2/3 cup hoisin sauce (156 ml)
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar (78 ml)
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (78 ml)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (50 g)
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
Directions:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. cornstarch. Set aside.
In a large ziplock bag, combine flour, 3/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Shake the bag to mix the ingredients well.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add cubed chicken and beaten egg whites. Give the chicken a good toss to coat it evenly.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 cup of oil.
With a large slotted spoon, scoop up chicken pieces and allow egg whites to drip off, then drop chicken into the ziplock bag. Shake chicken until evenly coated.
Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches (don’t overly crowd) until golden brown and chicken is cooked through. Remove fried chicken and place on a sheet pan covered in paper towels.
Once all the chicken has been fried, wipe skillet out with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Pour sauce into the skillet and simmer until it starts to thicken.
Add chicken to the skillet and toss to coat all the chicken evenly in the sauce.
Serve immediately with white or brown rice and garnish with green onions.
Enjoy your delicious General Tso’s Chicken!
Notes:
- For a healthier option, you can try baking the chicken instead of frying it.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your spice tolerance.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and soy sauce.
- If you want a thicker sauce, add more cornstarch or simmer the sauce for a longer period of time.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In conclusion, General Tso’s Chicken is a delicious Asian-inspired dish that is sure to impress your taste buds. With its crispy and flavorful chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce, this dish is a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just want to treat yourself to a delicious meal, General Tso’s Chicken is a must-try. So gather your ingredients, follow the recipe, and enjoy this flavorful and satisfying dish at home.
FAQ
What is General Tso’s Chicken?
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with crispy fried chicken that is coated in a sweet and savory sauce.
What is the origin of General Tso’s Chicken?
There are a few different stories about the origin of General Tso’s Chicken, but most agree that it was created in the United States in the 1970s by Chinese immigrants.
Is General Tso’s Chicken spicy?
Yes, General Tso’s Chicken is typically a little spicy due to the addition of red pepper flakes in the sauce. However, you can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Can I make General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time?
While General Tso’s Chicken is best served immediately after cooking, you can make it ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or on the stove. However, the chicken may not be as crispy as when it’s freshly fried.
What can I serve with General Tso’s Chicken?
General Tso’s Chicken is typically served with white or brown rice and garnished with green onions. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables or a side salad.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use a different type of meat if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat you use.
Is General Tso’s Chicken gluten-free?
The traditional General Tso’s Chicken recipe is not gluten-free due to the use of flour and soy sauce. However, you can make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free flour and tamari sauce instead of soy sauce.
General Tso's Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts cut into cubes (680 g)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 94 g
- 3/4 cup cornstarch 90 g
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil 118 ml
For the General Tso's Sauce:
- 2/3 cup hoisin sauce 156 ml
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar 78 ml
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce 78 ml
- 1/4 cup brown sugar 50 g
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a large ziplock bag, combine flour, 3/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Shake the bag to mix the ingredients well.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add cubed chicken and beaten egg whites. Give the chicken a good toss to coat it evenly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 cup of oil.
- With a large slotted spoon, scoop up chicken pieces and allow egg whites to drip off, then drop chicken into the ziplock bag. Shake chicken until evenly coated.
- Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches (don’t overly crowd) until golden brown and chicken is cooked through. Remove fried chicken and place on a sheet pan covered in paper towels.
- Once all the chicken has been fried, wipe skillet out with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Pour sauce into the skillet and simmer until it starts to thicken.
- Add chicken to the skillet and toss to coat all the chicken evenly in the sauce.
- Serve immediately with white or brown rice and garnish with green onions.
- Enjoy your delicious General Tso's Chicken!
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