Crispy General Tso’s Chicken

$To make this dish, you need simple, fresh ingredients: - 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup cornstarch - 2 large eggs, beaten - ½ cup all-purpose flour - ½ teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon ginger powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying) These chicken thighs give a juicy bite. Cornstarch helps create that crispy coating we love. The right seasonings and sauces make the dish shine. Here’s what you need: - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust based on heat preference) Soy sauce adds saltiness, while hoisin gives sweetness. Rice vinegar brings tang, and honey balances it all out. Garnishes lift the dish to new heights. For this recipe, you should have: - 2 green onions, chopped for garnish - Sesame seeds for garnish Serve your General Tso's Chicken on a bed of steamed white rice. You can also add broccoli for color and health. This makes it look as good as it tastes! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by cutting 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ginger powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes. This step helps to infuse great flavors into the meat. Next, you'll need to create a battering station. Take three bowls and set them up in a line. In the first bowl, add 1 cup of cornstarch. In the second bowl, beat 2 large eggs. In the third bowl, mix ½ cup of all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon baking powder. This setup makes coating the chicken easy and fun! Now it’s time to fry the chicken. Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. You want the oil to reach about 350°F (175°C). Once hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each piece for about 4-5 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken and let it drain on paper towels. While the chicken fries, let’s make the sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes. This mix gives the dish its signature sweet and spicy kick. Once the chicken is fried, grab a large skillet. Place the fried chicken in the skillet over medium heat. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss everything together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce. To serve, transfer the General Tso’s Chicken to a nice plate. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. For a full meal, serve it on a bed of steamed white rice or alongside broccoli. Arrange the chicken in a circular pattern and drizzle any remaining sauce over it for a beautiful finish. Enjoy your dish with friends and family! To get crispy chicken, start with boneless chicken thighs. Thighs give better flavor and texture. Marinate the chicken with salt, garlic powder, and ginger powder. This adds great taste. Use cornstarch for coating. It makes the chicken extra crispy. Dip the chicken pieces in cornstarch, then egg, and finally flour. This three-step coating is key. Fry the chicken in hot oil at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Chili flakes add spice to General Tso's Chicken. Start with 1 teaspoon for a mild kick. If you love heat, add more! Mix the flakes into the sauce for even flavor. Taste the sauce before adding it to the chicken. You can always add more chili flakes later, but you can't take them out. Marination is crucial for flavor. I suggest at least 15 minutes, but longer is better. If you can, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This time allows the spices to soak in. If you're short on time, even 15 minutes makes a difference. Always cover the bowl with plastic wrap while it marinates. This keeps the moisture in and helps the flavors blend. Pro Tips Marinate for Flavor: Allowing the chicken to marinate longer than 15 minutes, preferably up to an hour, enhances the flavor significantly. Maintain Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays at 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying, which results in crispy chicken without excess oil absorption. Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to modify the amount of red chili flakes based on your heat preference; you can also add fresh chopped chilies for an extra kick. Presentation Matters: For an appealing presentation, serve the chicken on a platter with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a drizzle of sauce to make it look even more appetizing. {{image_2}} If you want a vegetarian twist, try using tofu. Tofu soaks up flavors well. Choose firm tofu for the best results. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, just like chicken. Marinate the tofu in soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Then, coat it in cornstarch and fry until golden. The sauce stays the same, so you get that tasty flavor without meat. For a healthier take, you can bake the chicken instead of frying. Start by marinating as usual. After coating the chicken, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes. Flip halfway to ensure even cooking. This method cuts down on oil and still gives you a nice crunch. You can enjoy the same great taste with less guilt! If you need a gluten-free option, swap the soy sauce for tamari. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce. Use cornstarch and rice flour instead of regular flour for coating. This keeps the crispy texture intact. Always read labels for sauces and ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free. You can still enjoy General Tso's Chicken without the gluten! To store leftover General Tso's chicken, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to separate the chicken from the sauce to keep it crispy. When you are ready to eat, use the oven to reheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps the chicken crispy. You can also use the microwave. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. The chicken will lose some crispiness, but it will still taste good. If you have more leftovers, you can freeze General Tso's chicken. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible. It can last up to three months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then use the oven to warm it. This way, you can enjoy it later without losing flavor! General Tso's Chicken is named after a Chinese general, Tso Tsung-t'ang. He lived during the Qing Dynasty. The dish is not from China but became popular in the United States. Chefs created it to suit American tastes, mixing sweet and spicy flavors. It gained fame in the 1970s and remains a favorite. To lower the spice level, reduce or skip the red chili flakes. You can add more honey for sweetness. Another option is to use less soy sauce, as it can enhance heat. For a milder sauce, try adding a touch of water or chicken broth. Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. The taste will change a bit, as thighs are juicier. Just remember to cook the chicken until it is fully done. Cut the breasts into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking. General Tso's Chicken pairs well with steamed white rice or fried rice. Broccoli, bok choy, or stir-fried vegetables add color and nutrients. You can also serve it with dumplings or spring rolls for a complete meal. Each side adds balance to the rich flavors of the chicken. In this article, we explored how to make General Tso's Chicken from scratch. You learned about the main ingredients, seasonings, and the garnishes that elevate your dish. I shared step-by-step instructions, tips for crispy chicken, and variations like vegetarian and gluten-free options. In closing, with the right approach, you can enjoy this tasty meal at home. Experiment with flavors to make it your own. Enjoy cooking and savor each bite!$

Crispy General Tso’s Chicken

A delicious and crispy take on the classic General Tso’s Chicken, perfect for a satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ginger powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust based on heat preference)
2 green onions chopped for garnish
1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with salt, ginger powder, and garlic powder. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Set up a battering station with three bowls: one with cornstarch, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of flour and baking powder.
Dip each piece of marinated chicken first in the cornstarch, then in the egg, and finally in the flour mixture until thoroughly coated.
In a deep frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C).
Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and let drain on paper towels.
In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and red chili flakes.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the fried chicken pieces and pour the sauce over. Toss to coat evenly and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Serve on a bed of steamed white rice or alongside broccoli for a complete meal.

Keyword Asian cuisine, chicken, fried chicken, General Tso's