Ground General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
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.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch until fully combined and smooth.
- 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