General Tso’S Chicken
Description
This classic American-Chinese favorite features tender chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces, coated in a light starch batter, and flash-fried until golden and crisp. The chicken is then tossed in a vibrant, glossy sauce made from soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, and a touch of sesame oil. The dish balances sweet and savory flavors with a subtle kick from dried red chiles. Its a quick weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality results. Serve it hot over steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal that the whole family will love.Ingredients
Directions
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Cut the boneless chicken breast into thin slices, approximately 2 inches long, cutting against the grain for tenderness.
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Place the chicken slices in a bowl with the dark soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, finely chopped ginger root, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
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Mix well to ensure all pieces are coated, then let the chicken marinate for about 20 minutes.
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Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until it is very hot.
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Remove the chicken from the marinade using a slotted spoon, allowing excess marinade to drip off.
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Add the chicken to the hot oil in a single layer and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until browned and cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the pan and drain it in a colander or on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
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Pour off most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 2 teaspoons.
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Reheat the pan over high heat and add the dried red chiles.
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Stir-fry the chiles for about 10 seconds until they become fragrant and slightly blistered.
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Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the chiles.
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Toss the chicken with the chiles and remaining oil for 1-2 minutes to coat evenly and heat through.
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Serve the General Tso's Chicken immediately while hot and crispy.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 532.1kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 24.3g38%
- Saturated Fat 4.1g21%
- Cholesterol 72.4mg25%
- Sodium 204.5mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 52.0g18%
- Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
- Sugars 50.0g
- Protein 26.7g54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For extra crispiness, you can double-fry the chicken: fry once at a lower temperature to cook through, remove, then fry again at a higher temperature just before serving.
If you prefer a less spicy dish, remove the seeds from the dried red chiles before adding them to the pan, or reduce the quantity to 1 chile.
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a darker, more flavorful meat. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs take a bit longer to cook.
Serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the chicken. Leftovers will soften as the sauce is absorbed.
For a thicker sauce, mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and add it to the pan in the last minute of cooking.
