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General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. Making this delicious dish at home is easier than you might think. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create your own General Tso's Chicken:
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Yield: 3
Cost: $5

Materials

For the Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Oil for frying (such as vegetable or peanut oil)

For the Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons minced ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4-6 dried red chili peppers (adjust to your preferred spice level)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the egg and season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the beaten egg mixture and toss to coat them evenly.
  • In another bowl, place the 1/2 cup of cornstarch. Dredge the egg-coated chicken pieces in the cornstarch, ensuring they are well coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.

Heat the Oil:

  • In a wok or deep frying pan, heat enough oil for deep frying over medium-high heat. The oil should reach a temperature of 350-375°F (175-190°C). To test if the oil is ready, you can drop a small piece of coated chicken into the hot oil. If it sizzles and floats to the surface, the oil is ready.

Fry the Chicken:

  • Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil one by one, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
  • Fry the chicken until it turns golden brown and crispy, which should take about 4-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • While the chicken is frying, you can prepare the General Tso's sauce. In a saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
  • Add the minced ginger, garlic, and dried red chili peppers (or red pepper flakes). Sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and both types of sugar. Stir well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, allowing the sugars to dissolve and the flavors to meld.
  • In a separate small bowl, dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in two tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Pour this into the simmering sauce and stir continuously. The sauce will begin to thicken and become glossy. Once it reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon without running off.
  • Stir in the sesame oil. Sesame oil has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your preference by adding more sugar, soy sauce, or chili peppers.

Combine Chicken and Sauce:

  • Once the chicken is fried and the sauce is ready, combine the fried chicken pieces and the General Tso's sauce. Toss the chicken until each piece is evenly coated with the sauce. The hot chicken will absorb the sauce, creating a delightful glaze.