General Tso’s Chicken: A Flavorful Delight

Welcome to my kitchen! If you’re craving a dish that’s both satisfying and packed with flavor, look no further than this General Tso’s Chicken. This recipe brings the delicious taste of your favorite Chinese takeout right to your home. It’s crispy, sweet, and just a bit spicy – the perfect combination!

What makes this dish truly special is not just the tender chicken but also the rich sauce made from hoisin, soy sauce, and a hint of ginger. It’s a fantastic option for family dinners, dinner parties, or even a cozy night in. Plus, it’s easier to make than you might think!

Ingredients for General Tso’s Chicken

• 3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp. cornstarch

Instructions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Set this delicious sauce aside.
2. In a large ziplock bag, combine the flour, 3/4 cup of cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Shake the bag to mix everything well.
3. In another bowl, add the cubed chicken and the beaten egg whites. Toss the chicken to ensure it is evenly coated with the egg.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in the vegetable oil.
5. Using a large slotted spoon, scoop chicken pieces, allowing excess egg whites to drip off, and drop the chicken into the ziplock bag. Shake until the chicken is well coated with the flour mixture.
6. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the fried chicken and place it on a sheet pan lined with paper towels.
7. Once all the chicken has been cooked, wipe the skillet with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer until it starts to thicken.
8. Add the fried chicken to the skillet and toss it to coat evenly in the sauce.
9. Serve immediately with white or brown rice and garnish with chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor!

Tips & Variations

• Make it Spicy: If you enjoy heat, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or even some chili oil to the sauce.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chicken with tofu for a delicious vegetarian version of this dish!
• Meal Prep Friendly: Make a double batch of the sauce and store it in the refrigerator for quick meal prep during the week.
• Serving Size: Adjust the recipe according to your needs. This dish is a hit at gatherings!

Serving Suggestions

General Tso’s Chicken pairs beautifully with:

• Steamed white or brown rice
• Vegetable stir-fry
• Egg rolls or spring rolls
• Simple cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast

Conclusion

Now that you have this General Tso’s Chicken recipe in your arsenal, you can impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. The sweet and savory sauce combined with crispy chicken makes it incredibly hard to resist!

Don’t forget to experiment with the flavors and make this dish your own. Enjoy every bite, and happy cooking!

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken for the best texture and flavor, but if you only have frozen, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

How can I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?

If you don’t have hoisin sauce, you can substitute it with a mix of soy sauce, peanut butter, and a bit of honey for a similar flavor.

Is General Tso’s Chicken gluten-free?

This recipe isn’t gluten-free due to soy sauce and flour. However, you can use gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch to make it suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe for Home Cooks

Recipe by ELMEHDI HMICHE

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Main CourseCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

35

minutes

Calories

581

kcal

Discover the delicious recipe for General Tso’s Chicken! Perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in. Easy to make and full of flavor!

Ingredients

• 3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes

• 3/4 cup flour3/4 cup flour

• 3/4 cup cornstarch3/4 cup cornstarch

• 1/2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper1/2 tsp. black pepper

• 2 large egg whites2 large egg whites

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 2/3 cup hoisin sauce2/3 cup hoisin sauce

• 1/3 cup rice vinegar1/3 cup rice vinegar

• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

• 1/4 cup brown sugar1/4 cup brown sugar

• 3 tsp. minced garlic3 tsp. minced garlic

• 1 tsp. ground ginger1 tsp. ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

• 2 tsp. cornstarch2 tsp. cornstarch

Directions

• In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Set this delicious sauce aside.
• In a large ziplock bag, combine the flour, 3/4 cup of cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Shake the bag to mix everything well.
• In another bowl, add the cubed chicken and the beaten egg whites. Toss the chicken to ensure it is evenly coated with the egg.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in the vegetable oil.
• Using a large slotted spoon, scoop chicken pieces, allowing excess egg whites to drip off, and drop the chicken into the ziplock bag. Shake until the chicken is well coated with the flour mixture.
• Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the fried chicken and place it on a sheet pan lined with paper towels.
• Once all the chicken has been cooked, wipe the skillet with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer until it starts to thicken.
• Add the fried chicken to the skillet and toss it to coat evenly in the sauce.
• Serve immediately with white or brown rice and garnish with chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor!