Description
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce made with soy, rice vinegar, and hoisin. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that make it a favorite for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Garnish
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Toss the chicken pieces in beaten eggs ensuring they are evenly coated, then dredge them thoroughly in cornstarch for a crispy coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat 1 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Coat the Chicken: Toss the fried chicken pieces in the thickened sauce until they are fully coated and flavorful.
- Serve: Plate the coated chicken and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken pieces by frying them a second time until extra golden.
- Adjust the sugar amount according to your preferred sweetness level in the sauce.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add chili flakes or fresh chopped chilies to the sauce.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken.
