General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a favorite Chinese food takeout choice that is sweet and slightly spicy with a kick from garlic and ginger.

General Tso’s Chicken was one of my favorite college days late night Chinese food delivery orders. The spicier, zestier, less popular cousin to the ever-popular Orange Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken is a fantastic option when you’re looking to change up your Chinese food routine.

General Tso’s Chicken can sometimes have recipes that are really complicated and with many different breading steps. I eliminated them by going to a simple cornstarch coating, but you can definitely do a thicker typical breading if you would like, like I did in my Orange Chicken recipe. Also, the addition of the hoisin sauce may seem small and you may want to skip it because it isn’t a normal pantry item unless you are used to doing Asian cooking, but the flavor is that specific General Tso’s Chicken flavor that you’ll miss without it.

Looking for some other Chinese food takeout options for dinner? Well, aside from the long list of Panda Express menu items on the site, here is a list of delicious meals waiting to be made!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors with aromatic garlic and ginger.
• Reminiscent of your favorite takeout, but made healthier at home.
• Simple ingredients and steps make it accessible for any home cook.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Deep fryer or thick skillet
• Quart jar with lid
• Large bowl
• Paper towels
• Fork

Ingredients for General Tso’s Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 2 cups green onions, sliced
• 8 small dried chilies, seeds removed (bird pepper or Thai chilies are good)

Cornstarch Slurry

• 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup cornstarch

Sauce

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sherry wine or 1/4 cup white wine
• 14 1/2 ounces chicken broth (a can)

Instructions

1. Place sauce ingredients in a quart jar with a lid and shake to mix. Refrigerate if made ahead, shaking again before use.
2. Mix cornstarch slurry in a large bowl. Coat chicken pieces in slurry. Use a fork to remove each piece, allowing excess to drip off.
3. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees, or use a thick skillet filled 3/4 with oil. Heat oil until hot.
4. Drop chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until the coating is light golden brown. Set aside on paper towels.
5. Pour out most of the oil from skillet, leaving a little to coat the bottom. Sauté green onions and peppers for 1 minute.
6. Shake the sauce mixture again and pour it into the skillet. Cook until it thickens, stirring continuously. Once thickened, turn off the flame, add chicken, and stir to coat with sauce. Serve and enjoy.

Tips for Success

• Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy coating.
• Shake the sauce mixture well before using to prevent it from separating.

Additional Tips and Variations

• For extra heat, leave some seeds in the chilies or use a hotter variety.
• Try adding bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrition and color.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

Calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and other nutritional information can be calculated based on the specific brands and quantities used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a juicier result.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free soy sauce and verify other ingredients are gluten-free.

Conclusion

General Tso’s Chicken is a delightful dish that brings the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout right into your kitchen. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out for you. We’d love to hear about your experience and any tweaks you made to make it your own!