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Ground General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

4.9 from 81 reviews

A quick and flavorful twist on the classic General Tso’s Chicken using ground chicken and diced water chestnuts for texture. This savory dish features a tangy and slightly sweet sauce made from rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and spices. Perfect for a fast stovetop meal bursting with authentic Asian-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 8 ounces canned water chestnuts, diced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

General Tso’s Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Cook the Chicken and Water Chestnuts: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and diced water chestnuts. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed until a crust forms on the bottom before breaking it apart with a spatula. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and nicely browned.
  2. Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 10 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Combine Sauce with Chicken: Pour the prepared General Tso’s sauce into the pan with the cooked chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Continue cooking for a few seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.

Notes

  • For a spicier variation, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili garlic sauce.
  • Serve over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
  • If water chestnuts are unavailable, substitute with diced bamboo shoots or chopped bell peppers for added crunch.
  • Ensure the sauce thickens fully by not rushing the boiling step after adding cornstarch.

Keywords: General Tso’s Chicken, ground chicken recipe, quick Chinese chicken, stovetop chicken dish, easy Asian sauce