General Tso's Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
451 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
General Tso's Chicken
Description
General Tso's Chicken features bite-sized chicken breast pieces marinated in a mixture of egg whites, tamari (or soy sauce), and Chinese rice wine to enhance flavor and tenderize. The marinated chicken is coated in a dry mixture of cornstarch, flour, salt, and baking powder, which creates a light, crispy crust when deep fried at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and cooked through.
The sauce combines chicken broth, tamari, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, rice wine, white sugar, cornstarch for thickening, minced garlic, ginger, dried chilies, and sliced green onions. Stir-frying the aromatics briefly releases their fragrance before simmering the sauce to thicken. The crispy fried chicken is then added and tossed to coat evenly in the glossy sauce.
This dish offers a combination of textures with a crunchy coating and tender juicy chicken inside, paired with a sauce that is both sweet and tangy with a mild kick from the chilies. It can be served as a main dish accompanied by steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables to complete the meal.
Ingredients
- For the Marinade:
- 2 egg large, whites
- 2 tablespoons tamari (or light soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (can substitute dry sherry)
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into 1/2 inch pieces, boneless skinless
- For the coating:
- 3/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour gluten free: substitute GF flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons tamari (or light soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil toasted
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine (can substitute dry sherry)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar white
- or sugar alternative (for low sugar)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil e.g., avocado, peanut, canola, generic cooking oil
- 2 garlic minced, large cloves
- 2 teaspoons ginger minced
- 6 chilies seeded and broken into pieces, small, dried, red
- 3 green onions , cut into 1 inch pieces
- cooking oil e.g. peanut, canola, avocado, for deep frying
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.In a small bowl, whisk the marinade ingredients together and then pour over the cubed chicken. Stir to thoroughly coat and set aside.Combine the sauce ingredients and stir until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Set aside.
- Pick up the chicken pieces and shake off the excess marinade, then dredge the pieces in the cornstarch coating mixture, shaking off the excess.Working in batches, deep fry the chicken in oil heated to 375ºF until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Place the chicken on paper towels to drain.Note: If you don't have a deep fryer you can also fill a non-stick skillet with an inch or so of oil and fry the chicken in that.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a wok or large heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the garlic, ginger and red chilies for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sauce and simmer until thickened. Add the fried chicken and stir to thoroughly coat. Simmer for a minute until the chicken has absorbed the sauce but is still crispy. Stir in the green onions.Serve immediately with steamed rice and broccoli (traditional in many takeout places).
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 451 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 451kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 1689mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 821mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 141IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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