General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Crispy fried chicken pieces are tossed in a rich sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and a touch of sugar, creating a deliciously sticky coating that makes every bite irresistible. This dish is a favorite for takeout, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home, offering a restaurant-quality meal right from your own kitchen. Serve it over steamed rice with a side of broccoli or your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1/2 cup of cornstarch until evenly coated. Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
2. Fry the chicken: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Set aside.
4. Cook the aromatics: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Combine the sauce and chicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the aromatics, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.
6. Serve: Transfer the General Tso’s Chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice with a side of broccoli or your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy your homemade General Tso’s Chicken, a delicious and satisfying dish that captures the essence of your favorite takeout, right from your own kitchen.