General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, with crispy fried chicken.
Here’s a basic outline of how to make it, inspired by common recipes found online:
Ingredients:
Chicken:
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:
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:
chili garlic sauce, Sambal Oelek, or red pepper flakes for heat
Aromatics:
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:
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Toss the chicken in the beaten egg.
Coat the Chicken:
Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in cornstarch or your flour-cornstarch mix until well coated.
Fry the Chicken:
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:
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:
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:
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.
Enjoy!!
