Description
General Tso’s chicken showcases Chinese-American culinary magic with crispy, golden-battered chicken pieces glazed in a tangy-sweet sauce. Savory flavors and crunchy textures will delight you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 eggs
Coating and Frying:
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup oil for frying
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Create a crispy coating by thoroughly dredging chicken chunks in cornstarch, then immerse in whisked eggs for complete coverage.
- Prepare a deep skillet or wok with hot oil at 350°F, carefully frying chicken pieces until they achieve a golden, crunchy exterior (about 3-4 minutes per side).
- Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess oil to drain completely.
- In the same cooking vessel, quickly sauté minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes until their aromatic oils release (approximately 30-45 seconds).
- Craft the signature sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, granulated sugar, and rich chicken broth until smoothly combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, bringing to a gentle simmer and allowing it to thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Reintroduce the crispy chicken pieces into the bubbling sauce, gently tossing to ensure each morsel is lavishly coated.
- Transfer to a serving platter, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an authentic presentation.
Notes
- Cornstarch coating creates a crispy, light texture that helps seal in chicken’s moisture and provides a golden-brown exterior.
- Use high-heat oil like peanut or vegetable oil for frying to achieve maximum crispiness without burning the chicken.
- For a healthier version, bake the coated chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes instead of deep-frying.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making the dish mild for kids or extra hot for spice lovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg