Description
This General Tso’s Chicken recipe delivers a takeout-style favorite right at home. Crispy chicken with a sweet and savory sauce, it’s an easy and delicious dish that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup extra light olive oil, for frying, plus more as needed
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger, from a 2-inch piece of ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tablespoon grated or finely minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
General Tso’s Sauce:
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, or more to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Toss chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off excess. Set aside on a platter.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
- Cook Chicken: Preheat a large non-stick skillet with ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Simmer for 1 minute to cook off the raw vinegar flavor. Taste and adjust soy sauce or rice vinegar as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds (if desired) and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken: You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for thighs, but adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of heat.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve General Tso’s Chicken with steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz chicken with sauce
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
