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General Tso’S Chicken #1

General Tso's Chicken #1 recipe image
This classic takeout favorite brings the restaurant experience right to your kitchen. Tender chunks of chicken are lightly battered in egg and cornstarch, then fried until golden and crisp. They are quickly tossed in a vibrant sauce made from dried chiles, fresh ginger, garlic, and green onions, creating a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. The dish is hearty yet light enough for a weeknight dinner, offering a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the glossy, sticky glaze. It pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables, making it an easy and delicious meal for the whole family to enjoy together.
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Calories: 33.7
Dietary: Gluten-free
Description
This classic takeout favorite brings the restaurant experience right to your kitchen. Tender chunks of chicken are lightly battered in egg and cornstarch, then fried until golden and crisp. They are quickly tossed in a vibrant sauce made from dried chiles, fresh ginger, garlic, and green onions, creating a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. The dish is hearty yet light enough for a weeknight dinner, offering a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the glossy, sticky glaze. It pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables, making it an easy and delicious meal for the whole family to enjoy together.
Ingredients
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 1 pound Boned, Skinned Chicken
  • 16 small Dried Chiles
  • 1 Garlic Clove, Minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Grated Fresh Ginger
  • 4 Green Onions, cut diagonally into 1" pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
Directions
  1. 1
    Cut the boned, skinned chicken (thigh or breast) into 2-inch bite-sized chunks.
  2. 2
    In a bowl, whisk the egg and cornstarch together to create a light batter.
  3. 3
    Toss the chicken chunks in the egg mixture until evenly coated.
  4. 4
    Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. 5
    Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  6. 6
    In the same wok, add a little more oil if needed, and stir-fry the dried chiles, minced garlic, and grated ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. 7
    Return the fried chicken to the wok and toss with the aromatics.
  8. 8
    Add the diagonally cut green onions and toss briefly to combine. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 33.7kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.4g3%
Saturated Fat 0.4g2%
Cholesterol 46.6mg16%
Sodium 15.5mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 3.6g2%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.1g
Protein 1.6g4%

* 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

The original ingredient list was sparse. For a complete General Tso's flavor profile, you will need to add sauce ingredients such as soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and hoisin sauce. Adjust the amount of dried chiles based on your preferred heat level.

For extra crispiness, you can double-fry the chicken: fry once at a lower temperature to cook through, let rest, then fry again at a higher temperature just before serving.

If you cannot find dried chiles, you can substitute with red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil, though the flavor will be less complex.

Keywords: general tso, chicken, chinese, crispy, fried, spicy, sweet, savory, takeout, dinner, garlic, ginger, chiles, cornstarch, egg, green onions, sauce, weeknight, family, easy, quick
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/general-tsos-chicken-1/