Crispy General Tso’s Chicken — Sweet, Tangy & Better Than Takeout

What's Cooking: General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's Chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish that packs a flavorful punch. This popular recipe combines tender chicken with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce, making it the perfect meal to satisfy your taste buds.

##Ingredients

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tsp chilli paste, to taste
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 180 ml (3/4 cup) chicken stock
• 600g (1.4 pounds) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 128g (1 cup) cornflour, as needed
• Oil, for frying
• 2 tbsp oil, for stir frying
• 2 tsp ginger, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
• Finely sliced green onion, to serve
• Sesame seeds, to serve

Method: How to Cook General Tso's Chicken

Creating the Flavor Explosion

In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, chilli paste, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. This blend will create a flavor explosion that makes General Tso's Chicken so irresistible!

Marinate the Chicken

Coat the chicken pieces with about 2 tbsp of the sauce mixture, making sure to evenly distribute it. Save the remaining sauce for later.

Preparing the Sauce

In a hot pan, combine the reserved sauce with the chicken stock. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer until it thickens into a syrupy consistency. Set aside for now.

Add the Egg

Add the egg to the marinated chicken and mix well.

Coat the Chicken

Coat each chicken piece with cornflour, shaking off any excess.

Time to Fry

Fry the coated chicken pieces until they turn golden brown, then strain off the excess oil.

Stir-Fry the Aromatics

Remove excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Stir-fry the ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in the oil.

Combine Chicken and Sauce

Add the prepared syrupy sauce to the pan with the aromatics. Once the sauce becomes sticky, toss in the fried chicken pieces, making sure each piece is coated in the delicious sauce.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve your General Tso's Chicken with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds. Voilà! Your mouthwatering dish is ready to be devoured.

Tips and Tricks

• Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
• For a healthier option, try baking the chicken instead of frying.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
• Cut the chicken pieces into evenly-sized, bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook at roughly the same time.
• When frying, don't overcrowd the chicken pieces. They will be more crunchy this way.
• Use as much ginger and garlic as you please!
• Try not to overcook the chicken pieces so that they don't become too chewy or hard.

Ingredient Substitutes

• In case hoisin sauce is unavailable, you can use oyster sauce or plum sauce as an alternative.
• You can substitute rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for regular vinegar.
• If you don't have chilli paste, use sriracha or another hot sauce as a substitute.

Do I Need to Use Shaoxing Wine for this Recipe?

We have omitted the Shaoxing Wine from the recipe as it might not be readily available to everyone.

If you have Shaoxing Wine, you can reduce the chicken stock by around 2 tbsp and substitute 2 tbsp of Shaoxing wine instead.

How to Make Sure the Chicken Come Out Crispy?

1. Ensure your deep frying oil is at least 180 C or 350 F.
2. When frying, do not put too much chicken pieces at the same time. Leave some room between each chicken pieces so that the oil temperature will not drop as much.
3. After frying, drain the chicken pieces of the excess oil and give them enough room to breath. Ensure that they are in a well-ventilated container that will not generate any condensation. The excess moisture will make them soggy.
4. If storing the fried chicken pieces for later, avoid mixing the sauce with the chicken pieces, otherwise the batter will get soggy once stored.

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves 4 people, with approximately 300 grams per serving.

Please note that nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Per serving:

• Calories: 520
• Total Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 145mg
• Sodium: 960mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 32g

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with General Tso's Chicken

Pair your General Tso's Chicken with:

• Steamed white or brown rice
• Vegetable stir-fry
• Fried rice
• Noodles, such as chow mein or lo mein
• A simple green salad with ginger dressing

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breast. However, chicken thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free soy sauce and cornflour, and ensure that other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

How long can I store the leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat before serving.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can replace the chicken with tofu or a variety of vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Yes, simply reduce the amount of chilli paste or omit it altogether to adjust the spice level to your preference.