General Tso’s Chicken is a classic dish that originated in Chinese-American cuisine, known for its bold flavors and crispy texture.

This dish, named after the famous Qing dynasty military leader, General Tso Tsung-tang, offers a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and spicy tastes that make it a favorite on many restaurant menus.

Despite its popularity, General Tso’s Chicken carries a mystique surrounding its true origins, with various tales attributing its creation to different chefs. However, what remains consistent is its deliciousness and the joy it brings to those who taste it.

While it may seem daunting to recreate this dish at home, fear not! With the right ingredients and a step-by-step guide, you can whip up your own batch of General Tso’s Chicken in no time.

This recipe strikes a perfect balance between crispy chicken bites and a flavorful, glossy sauce, making it an impressive dish for any occasion.

Expert Tip: For an extra flavorful sauce, marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before coating them in cornflour.

Ingredients

Chicken Boneless: Chicken provides the protein base for this dish, offering a tender texture that pairs perfectly with the crispy coating and flavorful sauce.

Cornflour: Used to coat the chicken, cornflour creates a crispy exterior when fried, giving the dish its signature crunch.

Salt and Black Pepper: These seasonings add depth of flavor to the chicken, enhancing its taste and complementing the other ingredients in the dish.

Garlic and Ginger: Minced garlic and ginger infuse the dish with aromatic flavors, adding a punch of freshness and complexity.

Spring Onions: Chopped spring onions serve as a vibrant garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of onion flavor to the finished dish.

Sesame Seeds: These tiny seeds provide a nutty aroma and a subtle crunch, enhancing both the flavor and texture of the dish.

Dried Red Chillies: Adding heat and color, dried red chilies contribute a spicy kick to the sauce, balancing the dish’s sweetness.

Oil: Used for frying the chicken and sautéing the aromatics, oil helps achieve crispy chicken and prevents sticking.

Expert Tip: To achieve restaurant-quality crispiness, fry the chicken in small batches and drain excess oil on paper towels before tossing them in the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

General Tso’s Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles, providing a satisfying base to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside stir-fried vegetables or a crisp, refreshing salad. To elevate the dining experience, garnish the dish with additional chopped spring onions and sesame seeds for a burst of freshness and visual appeal.

Expert Tip: Customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of dried red chilies used in the sauce, or by adding a dash of chili flakes for an extra kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs if you prefer leaner meat. However, keep in mind that chicken breast may cook faster and can become dry if overcooked.

Is it necessary to use dried red chilies?

Dried red chilies add heat and depth of flavor to the dish, but you can adjust the amount or omit them altogether to suit your taste preferences.

How can I make this dish less spicy?

To reduce the spiciness of General Tso’s Chicken, you can decrease the amount of dried red chilies used in the recipe or remove the seeds before adding them to the dish.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While General Tso’s Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble them just before serving. Store the fried chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then reheat and combine them when ready to eat.

How can I make the chicken extra crispy?

For extra crispy chicken, ensure that the oil is hot enough before frying and avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken in batches, allowing each piece enough space to crisp up evenly.

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General Tso’s Chicken

by Nabeela Kauser

Dive into the culinary journey of General Tso's Chicken, an iconic dish known for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavours.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Appetiser

Cuisine American, Chinese, Taiwanese

Servings 4

Calories 304 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 500 g Chicken Boneless
• ▢ 60 g Cornflour
• ▢ Salt To taste
• ▢ Black Pepper To taste
• ▢ 2 cloves Garlic Minced
• ▢ 1 tbsp Ginger Minced
• ▢ 2 Spring Onions Chopped
• ▢ 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
• ▢ 8 Red Chillies Dried
• ▢ Oil For frying

Sauce

• ▢ 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
• ▢ 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
• ▢ 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• ▢ 2 tbsp Sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp Cornflour
• ▢ 120 ml Chicken Broth

Instructions

• Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper, then toss them in corn-starch until well coated.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and fry until crispy and golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
• For the sauce, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, corn-starch, and chicken broth in a bowl. Set this aside.
• In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add in the dried red chilies and sauté for another minute.
• Pour in the sauce mixture and let it simmer until it thickens.
• Return the fried chicken to the pan, toss it in the sauce until well coated. Cook for another 2 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy your General Tso’s Chicken with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add more dried red chillies.

For a healthier version, you can oven-bake the chicken instead of frying.

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 14gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1041mgPotassium: 205mgFibre: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 148IUVitamin C: 3mgVitamin D: 0.1µgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Chicken, Cooking, Food, Recipe, Snack

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