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General tso chicken with rice and spring onions.

General Tso's Chicken

Julia
Enjoy the irresistible taste of General Tso's Chicken—a crispy, sweet and spicy dish that captures the essence of Chinese takeout. Indulge in this tangy, crispy chicken delight, perfect for a flavorful meal at home.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6 servings
Calories 402 kcal

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INGREDIENTS
  

For General Tso's Chicken

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ cup corn starch
  • ½ cup extra light olive oil, for frying, plus more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon ginger
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or added to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional for garnish
  • green onions, sliced, optional

General Tso's Sauce

  • ½ cup cold water, or chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off the excess. Set dredged chicken on a platter lined with kitchen towel and set aside.
    1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, ½ cup corn starch
  • In a separate dish, combine all the ingredients for your sauce and whisk to combine.
    3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ cup cold water
  • Preheat a non-stick skillet with oil. Cook chicken in 2 to 3 batches, sauteeing until golden on both sides and cooked through then remove the chicken from the pan and transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed. Leave at least 1 tablespoon oil in the pan.
    ½ cup extra light olive oil
  • Add the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Sautee for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
    1 tablespoon ginger, 1 tablespoon garlic, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer while stirring. Let it simmer for 1 minute to cook off the vinegar a little. Taste the sauce and add more soy sauce or rice vinegar to taste if desired. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
    1 teaspoon sesame seeds, green onions

NOTES

  • Leftover Tips: Leftovers can be revitalized by adding a splash of soy sauce or vinegar to refresh the flavors before reheating. Consider turning them into a stir-fry by adding fresh ingredients like garlic, scallions, or sesame seeds.
  • Homemade vs Takeout: Making orange chicken or General Tso's chicken at home allows you to control the quality and freshness of the ingredients used.
  • Learning From Mistakes: If your first attempt at making these dishes doesn't turn out as expected, don't get discouraged. Practice makes perfect, and with some trial and error, you can master the flavors and techniques needed to create a delicious homemade version.

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NUTRITION

Serving: 1gCalories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 15gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 389mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
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