General Tso's Chicken

Enjoy the classic flavors of General Tso's Chicken, a beloved sweet and savory dish from China. Tender boneless fried chicken is coated in the iconic General Tso's Sauce, creating a delicious stir-fry perfect for lunch or dinner. Pair it with rice, fried rice, or noodles for a satisfying meal.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese, American

Diet Halal

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings serving

Calories 617

Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Marinating Chicken

1½ lb Chicken Breast cut into bite-size pieces
1½ tsp Garlic Powder
1½ tsp Ginger Powder
½ tsp Pepper Powder
Salt to taste
3 tbsp Corn Starch
3 tbsp All-Purpose Flour

For Frying Chicken

¼ cup Oil neutral cooking oil

For General Tso's Sauce

2 tbsp Sesame Oil
2 tbsp Ginger minced
2 tbsp Garlic minced
7 Dry Red Chili
1½ tbsp White Sugar
1½ tbsp Brown Sugar
2 tsp Hoisin Sauce
¼ cup Soy Sauce low sodium
1½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
2 tsp Rice Vinegar
½ cup Chicken Broth

For Cornstarch

1 tbsp Cornstarch
3 tbsp Water

For Garnishing

White Sesame Seeds
Spring Onions

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinating the Chicken

In a bowl, mix the cut chicken with garlic, ginger, pepper powder, salt, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. Stir well to ensure all chicken pieces are thoroughly coated with the seasonings.

Frying the chicken

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces, ensuring they are spaced apart to prevent them from sticking together.
Fry the chicken until it achieves a golden brown color on both sides, turning occasionally for even cooking.
Once fried, remove the chicken from the oil and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. This keeps your chicken crispy and ready for the next steps.

Making General Tso's Chicken

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and dry red chili, and sauté until they become aromatic and start to brown slightly, releasing deep flavors.
Stir in both white and brown sugar, and continue mixing until the sugars melt and caramelize, creating a rich, glossy base for the sauce.
Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red pepper flakes, and rice vinegar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and ensure the flavors blend seamlessly.
Pour in the chicken broth, give the mixture a quick stir, and allow it to boil for a few minutes to let the sauce deepen in flavor and aroma.
Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with the amount of water specified), ensuring it's fully integrated into the sauce. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a luxuriously silky consistency.
Introduce the fried chicken pieces back into the pan, tossing them gently to coat every piece thoroughly with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
Garnish the dish by sprinkling sesame seeds and freshly chopped spring onions on top for a burst of color and freshness. Stir gently to distribute the garnishes and serve your delectable General Tso's Chicken hot, perfect with steamed rice or noodles.

Serving

Serve this General Tso's Chicken alongside white rice, fried rice, noodles, or your preferred sides for a satisfying and delicious lunch or dinner. This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments, making it a versatile choice for any meal.

Notes

Here's how you can make your General Tso's Chicken perfect every time:

Crispy Chicken: To achieve that perfectly crunchy bite, fry your marinated chicken over medium heat. This method ensures the chicken stays crispy without absorbing too much oil, which often occurs when frying at high temperatures.
Homemade Sauce: The key to authentic General Tso's taste is in the sauce. Create yours from scratch with fresh ginger, garlic, and chicken broth to really bring out a fresh and robust flavor. While this recipe includes basic sauce instructions, for a more detailed guide, check out my dedicated post on General Tso's Sauce.
Versatile Cooking Methods: Although this recipe recommends pan-frying the chicken, feel free to explore other methods. You can deep fry, bake, or even use an air fryer to get the crunch texture you desire.
Balancing the Sauce: Tailor the sauce to your taste by adjusting the sweet and spicy elements. For more sweetness, add a bit more sugar or honey. If you prefer more heat, increase the chili flakes or add more hot sauce. For less heat, consider removing the seeds from the chili flakes or using fewer flakes.
Flexible Protein Choices: While chicken breast is typically used, thighs or even bone-in pieces are great alternatives that can enhance the dish's flavor. For a vegetarian twist, substitute the chicken with tofu. Be sure to check out my recipe for General Tso's Tofu.
Adjusting for Dietary Needs: To accommodate gluten-free and low-sodium diets, consider using tamari instead of soy sauce and opt for low-sodium chicken broth. This makes the recipe more accessible to those with specific dietary restrictions.

Nutrition

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