Easy General Tso Chicken
This recipe for Spicy General Tso Chicken is a delicious and easy way to make this classic Chinese-American dish at home. The chicken is coated in a crispy batter and deep-fried until golden brown, then tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, chili peppers, garlic, and ginger. The result is a dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual get-together.
Ingredients
For marinate:
- 1 lb Chicken breast (cut into 1'' cubes or bite-size pieces)
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
For Sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Mushrooms Flavored dark soy sauce or dark soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon black vinegar , rice vinegar, or distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- ½ cup warm water combined with ½ teaspoon knorr granulated chicken flavor bouillon
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For Cooking:
- 4 Garlic cloves , minced
- 1-½ Tablespoons ginger , grated
- 3 Tablespoons Chili oil or canola oil
- 8 whole dried Sichuan chilies whole dried Chile (To taste)
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
For batter:
- 1 large Egg , beaten
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or ground black pepper
Instructions
For the sweet sauce:
- In a medium bowl, add the broth, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes, and set aside.
For the batter:
- In a small bowl, combine the corn starch, garlic, and cayenne pepper, and set aside.
For the Chicken:
- In another medium bowl, combine the chicken, garlic, ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon black vinegar and mix well; let it marinate for about 15 minutes. Once marinated, add the beaten egg to the chicken's bowl and stir to mix well. Add the cornstarch mix and toss to coat the chicken.
For the stir-fry:
- Heat a wok over high heat, and when the wok starts to smoke, add the oil. Add a few chicken pieces at once and let the chicken settle in the wok for 1 minute before stir-frying. Fry, turning, until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes on each side.
- Remove the chicken from the oil to a paper towel to drain. Discard all but about 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok. Add the dried Sichuan chilies and stir-fry until nearly black. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring until it releases its fragrance, about 15 seconds or so.
- Add the sweet sauce mixture, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Add the chicken back to the pan and toss to combine. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onion. Serve the General Tso Chicken with white rice. Enjoy!
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: General Tso Chicken, let it cool down to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat: When reheating, you can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop method. Reheating General Tso Chicken in the microwave or oven may make it slightly less crispy, but it will still be flavorful and delicious. To reheat in the microwave, place the General Tso Chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave it on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
To reheat in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the General Tso Chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake it for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. To reheat on the stovetop, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add a little oil and the General Tso Chicken, and stir-fry it for a few minutes until heated.
Make-Ahead
General Tso Chicken can be made and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. After following the recipe instructions to complete the General Tso Chicken, let it cool down to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight container. You can store the General Tso Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To serve, reheat the chicken using one of the methods described in the previous question.
However, note that the texture of the chicken may be slightly less crispy after being refrigerated, but it will still be delicious. To maintain the crispiness, you can reheat the chicken in the oven or stovetop instead of using the microwave. Additionally, you can make the sauce and store it separately in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat the sauce in a pan over low heat, then add the chicken to the pan and stir-fry until heated. Before serving, garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
How to Freeze
General Tso Chicken can also be frozen for more extended storage. To freeze the chicken, let it cool down to room temperature, divide it into smaller portions, and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure to label the container with the name and date, and remove as much air as possible before sealing. You can store the General Tso Chicken in the freezer for 2-3 months.
When ready to use the frozen General Tso Chicken, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Note that the texture of the chicken may be slightly less crispy after being frozen and reheated, but it will still be tasty. To reheat the chicken, use one of the methods described earlier. Ensure never to refreeze General Tso Chicken once it has been thawed, as this can cause bacterial growth and foodborne illness. With these tips, you can enjoy General Tso Chicken anytime, even if you made it weeks in advance.
Nutrition Facts
Easy General Tso Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
133
% Daily Value*
Fat
5
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
0.02
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
38
mg
13
%
Sodium
187
mg
8
%
Potassium
226
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
12
g
4
%
Fiber
0.5
g
2
%
Sugar
5
g
6
%
Protein
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
277
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
28
mg
34
%
Calcium
11
mg
1
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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