Description
A flavorful and crispy General Tso’s Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs coated in cornstarch, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy sauce. Perfect for an impressive dinner or takeout-style meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lb chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/4 cup extra light olive oil, for frying, plus more as needed
- 2 tbsp minced ginger, from a 2-inch piece of ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, or 1 tbsp grated or finely minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or added to taste
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, optional for garnish
General Tso's Sauce
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar, or more to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Toss the chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off any excess at the edges. Arrange the dredged chicken pieces on a platter and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together cold water, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, granulated sugar, and corn starch until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the extra light olive oil. Fry the chicken pieces in 2 to 3 batches, sautéing until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Remove cooked chicken from the pan and transfer to a bowl. Add more oil as needed for remaining batches. Leave about 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan for the next step.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the aromatics. Stir continuously and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for 1 minute to slightly cook off the vinegar and thicken the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the General Tso’s Chicken to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a crispier texture, double dredge the chicken by dipping it again in cornstarch before frying.
- You can adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Serve this chicken over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but thighs remain more tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
