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Savory General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 146 reviews

This Savory General Tso’s Chicken recipe features crispy bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a perfectly seasoned batter and fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a deliciously tangy and slightly sweet sauce with garlic, ginger, and a touch of heat. It’s a classic Chinese-American dish that balances savory, sweet, and spicy flavors and is ideal for serving over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (or rice flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for seasoning)
  • 2 large egg whites, whipped (to help bind the coating)
  • 2 cups vegetable or canola oil (for frying)

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce (or mix of soy sauce and sugar)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice tolerance)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons water (to mix with cornstarch for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
  2. Coat Chicken: In a bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Whisk the egg whites until slightly frothy. Dip each chicken piece into the egg whites, then coat thoroughly in the flour and cornstarch mixture to create a crispy crust when fried.
  3. Heat Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Test the oil’s readiness by dropping a small amount of the flour mixture into it; if it sizzles and floats, the oil is ready for frying.
  4. Fry Chicken: Carefully fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry until golden brown and crispy, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, light brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to blend all flavors.
  6. Thicken Sauce: Transfer the sauce mixture to a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Add this to the simmering sauce and stir continuously until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
  7. Combine: Add the fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce and toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Serve immediately over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and soy sauce with tamari.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to modify the spice level to your taste.
  • Use fresh ginger instead of ground for a more vibrant flavor.
  • Ensure oil temperature is maintained at 350°F for optimal frying results.
  • Serve immediately after tossing chicken in sauce to retain crispiness without becoming soggy.

Keywords: General Tso's Chicken, crispy chicken, fried chicken, Asian sauce, hoisin chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, Chinese-American recipe

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/savory-general-tsos-chicken-recipe/