Description
Savory General Tso’s Chicken brings bold Chinese-American flavors dancing across taste buds with crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce. Hearty comfort meets restaurant-quality cooking you can easily recreate in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating Ingredients:
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup water
Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 6–8 dried red chilies
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Craft a delectable seasoned coating by blending cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel. Prepare a separate whisking station with eggs and water.
- Immerse chicken fragments into the egg solution, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer to the flour mixture, creating a crisp protective layer.
- Ignite a skillet with vegetable oil, establishing a medium-high thermal environment. Carefully submerge chicken pieces, rotating periodically to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior. Transfer expertly fried morsels onto absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
- Construct a flavor-packed sauce by merging chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a simmering saucepan.
- Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the simmering liquid, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency.
- Gently enrobe the crispy chicken fragments with the aromatic sauce, ensuring each piece receives a luxurious coating.
- Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile by scattering chopped green onions, sprinkling sesame seeds, and optionally garnishing with dried red chilies. Serve alongside steamed rice or vibrant vegetables for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, as they hold more moisture compared to chicken breasts.
- Ensure oil temperature stays consistent around 350°F for perfectly crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil.
- Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to help breading adhere better and create an extra crispy exterior.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or cornstarch for the coating.
- Balance heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes according to personal spice tolerance, adding gradually for controlled kick.
- Let chicken rest after frying to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture when tossing in sauce.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent sauce from overcooking while preparing chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg