General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
494 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Asian
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Description
The recipe begins by coating diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a mixture of cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper, then frying them in avocado oil until golden and crispy. This provides a crunchy texture that contrasts with the sticky sauce.
The sauce, prepared by whisking together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh minced ginger and garlic, and optional sriracha, is cooked briefly to thicken. Tossing the fried chicken in this glaze creates a rich coating with sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy tones.
Serving the dish over plain white rice allows the powerful sauce to shine without overpowering the grains. Garnishing with green onion rounds and toasted sesame seeds adds fresh and nutty notes.
Substituting chicken breasts is possible though thighs provide more flavor and tenderness. The dish stores well refrigerated and can be frozen, but reheating may lessen the crispness of the coating.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- ¼ cup cornstarch divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil divided
- ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ginger finely minced, fresh
- 3 garlic finely minced, cloves
- 1 teaspoon sriracha optional
Serving:
- white rice cooked
- green onions green parts only, thinly sliced, optional
- sesame seeds optional, toasted
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of the cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, shake off any excess coating from half of the chicken and add it to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, then turn and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until crispy and lightly golden. Line a plate with paper towels. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to the paper towel-lined plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- While the chicken cooks, in a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sriracha, if using, and the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Once the skillet is empty, reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the soy sauce mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat to low, return the chicken to the skillet, and cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the General Tso’s Chicken over a bed of white rice, topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using.
Notes
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts may be substituted for thighs but may result in a less juicy texture.
- Prepare sauce ingredients ahead but cook just before tossing with chicken.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days; crispness may diminish.
- Freeze cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for 3-4 months; reheat in a skillet to help retain texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 494kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 1834mg | 76% |
| Potassium | 525mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 45IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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