General Tso’s Chicken is a popular dish in North American Chinese restaurants, known for its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. This dish, named after the Qing dynasty general Tso Tsung-t’ang, doesn’t have clear historical ties to him but has become a staple in the Chinese-American culinary scene. Here, we present a homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe that brings the restaurant experience right into your kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup (120g) cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
1/2 cup (120ml) chicken stock
2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
3 tablespoons (45g) sugar
1 tablespoon (15ml) hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons (10ml) sesame oil
1 teaspoon (5g) cornstarch, dissolved in 2 teaspoons of water
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Stir-Fry:
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons (30ml) ginger, minced
4-6 dried red chilies, deseeded and chopped (adjust to taste)
Green onions, sliced for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with the beaten eggs until well coated.
Place the cornstarch in a separate bowl. Dredge the egg-coated chicken in cornstarch until fully covered. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, the cornstarch slurry, and black pepper.
Stir-Fry:
In a large pan or wok, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Pour the sauce mixture into the pan and bring to a simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
Serve:
Serve the General Tso’s Chicken hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.
Tips:
For a spicier dish, increase the amount of dried red chilies.
Ensure the oil is hot before frying the chicken to achieve a crispy texture.
Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce according to your preference by varying the amount of sugar and vinegar.
General Tso’s Chicken combines the delightful crunch of fried chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re a fan of Chinese-American cuisine or just love a good chicken dish, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Enjoy cooking and indulge in the delicious, bold flavors of General Tso’s Chicken at home.
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular dish in American Chinese cuisine, known for its irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, all enveloped in a crispy coating. This dish is named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a Qing dynasty military leader, though ironically, it’s virtually unknown in China. The dish’s actual origin traces back to Taiwanese chefs who brought it to America. It quickly became a staple in Chinese-American restaurants. Here’s how you can make this iconic dish at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 egg white
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup (65g) cornstarch
Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2-3 dried red chilies (adjust to taste), chopped
Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with egg white and soy sauce. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes. Then, drain any excess liquid and coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is well covered.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, rice wine, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Set aside. In another small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water; this will be used to thicken the sauce later.
Cook the Sauce: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Add the dissolved cornstarch and water to the sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
Combine Chicken with Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
Garnish and Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving dish, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side.
Tips for the Perfect General Tso’s Chicken
Velveting the Chicken: Marinating the chicken in egg white and soy sauce, a process known as velveting, tenderizes the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking.
Adjusting the Heat: The spiciness of the dish can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of dried chilies. For a less spicy version, remove the seeds.
Crispiness: Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying to achieve that signature crispy coating. A thermometer is handy for maintaining the correct temperature.
Serving: This dish is best served immediately after cooking to enjoy the contrast of the crispy chicken with the thick, flavorful sauce.
Cooking General Tso’s Chicken at home allows you to adjust the flavors to your preference, making it less sweet, more spicy, or even adding more garlic or ginger for an extra kick. This recipe brings a classic takeout favorite into your kitchen, offering a delicious way to explore Chinese-American cuisine from the comfort of your home. Enjoy cooking and indulging in this delightful dish!
General Tso’s Chicken is a mouth-watering, deep-fried chicken dish that’s coated in a sweet, slightly spicy sauce. Originating from Hunan, China, but popularized in American Chinese cuisine, this dish has become a staple in Chinese restaurants across the United States. It’s named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a Qing dynasty military leader, although there’s no historical connection between him and the dish. The creation of General Tso’s Chicken is often attributed to Chef Peng Chang-kuei, who introduced a similar dish in Taiwan before it made its way to New York City, where it was adapted to suit American tastes.
Ingredients
To make General Tso’s Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Chicken:
1 lb chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
Salt and pepper, to taste
Oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1-2 dried red chilies, crushed (adjust to taste)
Green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, egg, salt, and pepper together. Add the chicken pieces to the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F (175°C). In batches, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set aside.
Heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
Stir in the sauce mixture and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:
Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss to coat with the sauce.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Serving Suggestions
General Tso’s Chicken is best served hot, accompanied by steamed rice or vegetables. It’s a perfect dish for those who love a blend of sweet and spicy flavors, encapsulating the essence of American Chinese cuisine.
Tips and Variations
For a healthier version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying. Coat the chicken as per the recipe and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Adjust the level of heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of dried chilies according to your taste.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and substitute cornstarch for the all-purpose flour.
General Tso’s Chicken is a delicious, iconic dish that brings a taste of American Chinese cuisine into your home. With its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
