If you’re craving your favorite takeout, look no further than this mouthwatering recipe for General Tso’s Chicken. With crispy fried chicken pieces smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce, this dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. You can now bring this restaurant-style dish to your kitchen and satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
½ cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
For Garnish:
Green onions, chopped
Sesame seeds
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Start by coating the chicken pieces. First, dip each chicken piece in the beaten eggs, ensuring they’re fully covered. Then, dredge each piece in cornstarch to create a crispy coating.
Fry the Chicken:
In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in small batches, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy, which takes about 5-6 minutes per batch. Place the fried chicken on paper towels to drain the excess oil.
Make the Sauce:
In a small saucepan, heat 1 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Next, add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Thicken the Sauce:
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Slowly add this to the sauce while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
Coat the Chicken:
Add the crispy fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce and toss until they’re evenly coated.
Serve:
Top the chicken with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
Serving Tips:
Pair with Rice: Serve General Tso’s Chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fried rice for a complete meal.
Add Vegetables: Pair it with stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers to balance the meal.
Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spice level by adding red chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce if you prefer a spicier version.
Garnish: Don’t forget to top with freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Side Dishes: This dish pairs well with classic sides like egg rolls, spring rolls, or wonton soup for a full takeout-style dinner.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the chicken is fully cooled before placing it in the fridge to prevent sogginess.
Reheating:
For the best results, reheat General Tso’s Chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to maintain its crispy texture.
If you’re in a hurry, use a microwave, but the chicken might lose its crispiness. Heat in short bursts to avoid overcooking.
Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating from Frozen: Reheat the chicken in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until heated through. The sauce can be reheated on the stovetop over low heat.
Related Recipes:
FAQs:
Can I make General Tso’s Chicken without frying?
Yes, for a healthier version, you can bake or air-fry the chicken instead of frying it. Bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it’s crispy and golden brown. Alternatively, use an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.
How do I make the sauce spicier?
To increase the heat, you can add crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, or dried whole chilies to the sauce. Adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level. You can also drizzle a bit of hot sauce before serving.
Can I make General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, it’s best to fry the chicken right before serving to keep it crispy. You can fry the chicken ahead and reheat it in an oven or air fryer for best results.
What’s the best way to reheat General Tso’s Chicken?
To keep the chicken crispy, reheat it in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Avoid using the microwave if possible, as it may make the chicken soggy. Reheat the sauce separately on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Conclusion:
Making General Tso’s Chicken at home is easier than you think and so much more satisfying than takeout. With crispy fried chicken and a perfectly balanced sauce, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Serve it with rice or vegetables, and enjoy an authentic, restaurant-style meal from the comfort of your home.
📖 Recipe:
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General Tso’s Chicken
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
General Tso’s Chicken is a classic takeout favorite featuring crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. This homemade version is easy to make and delivers restaurant-quality flavors with ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and hoisin. Perfect for a quick dinner, this dish is better than takeout!
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil (for sauce)
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in beaten eggs and coat them evenly with cornstarch.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and fry the chicken pieces until golden and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Sauce: Heat oil in a small saucepan and sauté minced garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the sauce and stir until thickened.
- Coat the Chicken: Toss the fried chicken in the thickened sauce until fully coated.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice or with steamed vegetables.
Notes
For an extra crispy texture, double-fry the chicken by frying it a second time for 1-2 minutes.
You can bake or air-fry the chicken for a healthier version.
Add red chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a spicier kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
