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General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso's Chicken
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Make authentic General Tso’s Chicken at home with crispy golden chicken bites coated in a perfectly balanced sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce. This easy-to-follow recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers a delicious classic Chinese takeout flavor, customizable to your preferred heat level and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Coating

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 large eggs, whisked
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • Vegetable oil (for frying, about 2 cups)

Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes or fresh chilis (adjust to taste)

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Optional: toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and coat the chicken pieces with the egg wash. Then toss the chicken in cornstarch until fully covered to guarantee a crispy crust once fried.
  2. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat (350°F to 375°F). Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each piece until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to keep them crisp.
  3. Make the Sauce: In a separate pan, lightly sauté minced garlic and fresh ginger until fragrant. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar (or honey), and dried red chili flakes. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Combine Chicken with Sauce: Toss the crispy fried chicken pieces into the warm sauce until each piece is fully coated and glossy, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions (and toasted sesame seeds if using) over the dish for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately for best texture and taste experience.

Notes

  • Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating to ensure a crisp crust.
  • Maintain frying oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F to avoid greasy or undercooked chicken.
  • Fry chicken in small batches to keep oil temperature steady and maintain crispiness.
  • Use fresh garlic and ginger for maximum flavor impact.
  • For a thicker sauce glaze, simmer the sauce a bit longer before adding the chicken.
  • Adjust chili flakes or fresh chilis to suit your desired heat level.
  • Leftovers keep well in the fridge up to 3 days and reheat best in a hot skillet or oven to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: General Tso's Chicken, Chinese takeout, crispy chicken, sweet and spicy sauce, easy Chinese recipe, gluten free Chinese, homemade General Tso's

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/general-tsos-chicken/