Authentic General Tso’s Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
2 servings
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Calories
757 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Authentic General Tso’s Chicken
Description
This General Tso’s Chicken recipe starts by soaking dried red chiles to soften them. The chicken thighs are marinated with sesame oil, sugar, soy sauce, and egg to tenderize and flavor the meat. Then the pieces are dusted generously in a seasoned cornstarch mixture, creating a crispy coating when fried in hot oil until light golden.
The signature sauce combines granulated sugar, Sriracha and sweet chili sauces, oyster sauce, black rice vinegar, and two types of soy sauce, balancing sweetness, heat, umami, and acidity. The fried chicken is tossed in this sauce, resulting in pieces that are crisp yet coated in a glossy, flavorful glaze. Aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions can be included for added depth.
Serve this General Tso’s Chicken alongside steamed rice and optionally flash-fried green vegetables. The dish has a satisfying contrast between the crunchy exterior and the tender, juicy interior of the chicken, and the sauce provides a complex but approachable flavor profile.
Ingredients
For the crispy chicken
- 10 dried red chile such as tien tsin
- water hot
- 10 1/2 ounces chicken thighs cut into 1-inch (2-cm) dice, boneless, skinless
- 1 3/4 cups cornstarch seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 ginger peeled and finely sliced, thumb-sized piece, fresh
- 2 cloves garlic finely sliced
- 2 scallions finely sliced
- vegetable oil mild
For the General Tso sauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon black rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
- 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
For the marinade
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
To serve
- red chile sliced scallions, steamed rice, and flash-fried green vegetables (optional, sliced
Instructions
Soak the chiles
- Soak the dried red chiles in hot water until slightly softened, 10 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander or fine mesh sieve.
Make the General Tso sauce
- Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
Marinate the chicken
- Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl and massage the marinade ingredients into the meat. Let the chicken marinate while the peppers finish soaking.
- Sprinkle the seasoned cornstarch over the chicken and massage until each piece of meat separates and has a dry dusty white coating.
Fry the chicken
- In a wok over medium-high heat, heat 2 inches (5 cm) of oil to 350°F (180°C). Working in batches, if necessary, deep-fry the coated chicken until light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Carefully pour out the oil from your wok into a heatproof bowl to cool and give your wok a quick wipe with a paper towel. Place the wok back on the stove and bring 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a high heat. Add in your ginger, garlic, and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the soaked chiles, followed immediately by the sauce mixture. Bring the sauce to a vigorous boil until syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the deep-fried meat, tossing the wok a few times so that the sauce fully coats the chicken.
Serve
- Sprinkle with the sliced red chile and scallions, if desired, and serve immediately with steamed rice and flash-fried green vegetables.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 757 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 757kcal | 38% |
| Carbohydrates | 82g | 27% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 234mg | 78% |
| Sodium | 1224mg | 51% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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