General Tso’s Chicken

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Plate of crispy General Tso's Chicken garnished with scallions and sesame seeds

Why Make This Recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is a popular dish that blends crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. It’s perfect for a tasty dinner and can easily impress family and friends. Making this dish at home allows you to enjoy restaurant-quality flavors without the extra cost. You’ll love the combination of tenderness from the chicken and the kick from the sauce!

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp chili sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Green onions for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, coat chicken pieces with cornstarch. Dip in beaten eggs.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In another pan, heat a little oil. Add garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant.
  4. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sesame oil. Pour this into the pan and bring to a simmer.
  5. Add fried chicken and broccoli (if using), tossing to coat in the sauce. Cook for another minute until heated through.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken

Serve General Tso’s Chicken hot over a bed of steamed rice or alongside fried rice. You can also add some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. For extra flavor, drizzle with a bit more sesame oil before serving.

How to Store General Tso’s Chicken

Store any leftover General Tso’s Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days. To reheat, use a microwave or a skillet over low heat until warmed through.

Tips to Make General Tso’s Chicken

  • Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the chicken to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Feel free to adjust the level of chili sauce to your taste for spiciness.
  • Adding broccoli not only makes the dish colorful but also adds nutrition.

Variation

For a healthier option, you can bake the chicken instead of frying. Coat the chicken with cornstarch and beaten eggs, then bake in a preheated oven at 400°F until golden and cooked through.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it fully before cooking.

2. Is General Tso’s Chicken gluten-free?
The traditional recipe is not gluten-free due to soy sauce, but you can use gluten-free soy sauce to make it suitable for a gluten-free diet.

3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead and combine them just before serving to keep the chicken crispy.

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