General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Introduction

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. This recipe brings restaurant-quality flavors right into your kitchen with simple steps and accessible ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2-3 cups olive oil, for frying
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tablespoon minced garlic)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for sauce)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Whisk together the cold water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a bowl. Set the sauce aside.
2. Step 2: Toss the chicken pieces in the 1/2 cup cornstarch until fully coated. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat about 2 inches of olive oil in a deep skillet or large saucepan to 375°F (190°C).
4. Step 4: Fry the chicken in batches (2-3 at a time depending on pan size) for 2-3 minutes, turning halfway, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
6. Step 6: Carefully drain most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Heat the pan over medium-high heat.
7. Step 7: Add the minced ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
8. Step 8: Whisk in the prepared sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer while stirring continuously.
9. Step 9: Simmer the sauce for about 1 minute, until it thickens slightly.
10. Step 10: Add the fried chicken pieces back into the pan and stir well to coat them evenly with the sauce.
11. Step 11: Serve the chicken warm, garnished with sesame seeds, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken with cornstarch before frying.
• Substitute chicken thighs with breast meat if preferred, but thighs stay more tender and juicy.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to taste if you prefer more or less heat.
• Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
• Use vegetable or peanut oil as an alternative to olive oil for frying, which has a higher smoke point.

Storage

Store leftover General Tso’s Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispiness, or microwave covered until warmed through. Avoid reheating too long to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce, and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free or substitute with a similar gluten-free alternative.

What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?

If you don’t have hoisin sauce, try mixing soy sauce with a little honey, garlic powder, and Chinese five-spice powder to mimic its sweet and savory flavor.

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 85 reviews

General Tso’s Chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. This recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors with a homemade sauce combining soy, hoisin, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar, resulting in a deliciously sticky glaze garnished with sesame seeds.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (cut into bite size pieces, approximately 1 inch)
• 1/2 cup Cornstarch
• 2–3 cups Olive Oil (for frying)

Sauce

• 1 teaspoon Fresh Minced Ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced or 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic)
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 cup Cold Water
• 1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
• 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

Garnish

• Sesame Seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce: Whisk together all the sauce ingredients—cold water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch—in a mixing bowl and set aside to combine flavors.
2. Coat the chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in the cornstarch in batches, ensuring each piece is fully coated to achieve a crispy exterior when fried. Set aside.
3. Heat the oil: Pour approximately 2 inches of olive oil into a deep skillet or large saucepan and heat it to 375°F (190°C) for frying.
4. Fry the chicken: Fry the coated chicken in batches, about 2-3 pieces per batch depending on pan size, cooking each batch for 2-3 minutes. Flip halfway through to brown all sides and cook chicken thoroughly.
5. Drain the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
6. Prepare the sauce base: Remove most of the frying oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add the minced ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Simmer the sauce: Whisk in the prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly.
8. Thicken the sauce: Continue cooking for about 1 minute until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
9. Combine chicken and sauce: Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the glossy sauce.
10. Serve: Serve the chicken warm, garnished with sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Enjoy your delicious homemade General Tso’s Chicken!

Notes

• Ensure the oil temperature is maintained at 375°F for optimal frying results and crispy chicken.
• You can substitute olive oil with vegetable or peanut oil for frying if preferred.
• If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Use skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful chicken compared to breasts.
• Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain the oil temperature and avoid soggy chicken.

Keywords: General Tso’s Chicken, Chinese Chicken Recipe, Fried Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Asian Cuisine