Description
General Tso’s Chicken is a Chinese-American takeout favorite featuring crispy fried chicken tossed in a sticky, sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy sauce, delivering bold flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper (or black pepper)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Sliced green onions (optional garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl and add chicken pieces to coat.
- In another bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the mixture.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Sauté ginger and garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook while stirring until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Add fried chicken to the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use chicken breast instead of thighs for a leaner option.
- Increase red pepper flakes or add chili oil for extra heat.
- Bake chicken at 425°F (220°C) for a lighter alternative.
- Substitute crispy tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for extra nutrients.
- Reheat leftovers in a skillet for best texture; avoid freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
