General Tsos Chicken (Printable Version)

Crispy chicken coated in sweet, tangy, spicy Chinese-inspired sauce over rice.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1.3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
04 - 1 tsp sesame oil
05 - 1/4 tsp white pepper
06 - 1 cup cornstarch
07 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
08 - Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

→ For the Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
10 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
11 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
12 - 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
13 - 3 tbsp sugar
14 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 1 tbsp water for slurry
16 - 2 tsp sesame oil
17 - 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing wine (optional)

→ Stir-fry & Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
19 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
20 - 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
21 - 6-8 dried red chilies or 1-2 tsp chili flakes
22 - 2 spring onions, sliced
23 - Steamed white rice, for serving
24 - Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk eggs with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and white pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly.
02 - Mix cornstarch and flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge each chicken piece in the mixture, shaking off excess breading.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towels to drain.
04 - Combine chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine in a small bowl. Mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to make a slurry, then stir into the sauce mixture.
05 - Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a clean wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add dried chilies, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Pour in the sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
07 - Add the fried chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated in the sauce. Serve immediately over steamed rice, topped with spring onions and toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Achieve that authentic, crave-worthy taste of classic General Tso's chicken right in your own kitchen.
  • Perfectly Crispy Chicken: The cornstarch and flour dredge ensures a super crispy coating that holds up beautifully against the rich sauce.
  • Balanced Sweet & Spicy Sauce: The homemade sauce is a sublime blend of tangy, sweet, and savory with a gentle kick of heat you can adjust to your liking.
  • Ready in 45 Minutes: It’s a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion without spending hours in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Fry in Batches: To ensure the chicken gets ultra-crispy, fry it in small batches as instructed. Overcrowding the pan will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
  • Prepare Sauce Ahead: Mix all the sauce ingredients together while the chicken is frying to streamline the final cooking process.
  • Slurry is Key: The cornstarch slurry is essential for thickening the sauce to that perfect, glossy consistency that clings to the chicken.
  • Toss and Serve: Add the crispy chicken to the sauce at the very last moment and toss just to coat. This helps maintain maximum crispiness.
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