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To make General Tso's Chicken, you need to gather these key ingredients: - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1/2 cup cornstarch - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - Salt and pepper, to taste - 2 large eggs, beaten - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying) - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon chili paste (adjust for spice preference) - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 green onions, finely chopped - Sesame seeds, for garnish These ingredients create a crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. If you have dietary needs, you can make some swaps: - Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. - Low-Carb: Try almond flour in place of cornstarch and flour. - Vegan: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh. Use a vegan egg replacement. - Nut-Free: Ensure that the soy sauce is nut-free, and skip sesame oil if needed. These swaps keep the dish tasty while respecting dietary needs. When buying ingredients, choosing good brands makes a difference. Here are my favorites: - Soy Sauce: Kikkoman or Tamari for gluten-free options. - Cornstarch: Bob's Red Mill is a trusted brand. - Chili Paste: Huy Fong Foods Sriracha for heat with flavor. - Honey: Manuka honey is a great choice for quality. Using these brands can enhance your cooking experience and flavor. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your chicken pieces. Use 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 1/4 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, salt, and pepper. This mixture gives the chicken a nice crunch. Dip the chicken pieces in 2 beaten eggs. Then, coat them well in the cornstarch mix. Make sure each piece is evenly covered. Next, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in batches. Fry the chicken for about 5-7 minutes. You want them to be golden brown and cooked through. Remove them and drain on paper towels. This helps to remove extra oil, keeping them crispy. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of chili paste. If you like it spicier, add more chili paste. Pour this mixture into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine all the flavors. Now, add the fried chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the chicken in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and mix in 2 chopped green onions. For a beautiful presentation, serve the chicken on a platter over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and more green onions. Add a side of pickled vegetables for extra color and taste. Enjoy your homemade General Tso's Chicken! To get that perfect crunch, use cornstarch. It makes the chicken crispier. Dip each piece of chicken in beaten eggs first. Then coat it well in the cornstarch mix. Fry in hot oil to seal in the crunch. Fry in batches so the oil stays hot. This way, you avoid steaming the chicken. One common mistake is overcrowding the pan. When you add too much chicken at once, it lowers the oil's temperature. This leads to soggy chicken instead of crispy. Another mistake is not heating the oil enough. Always test the oil with a small piece first. If it bubbles and sizzles, it’s ready for frying. Lastly, don’t skip the resting step. Let the chicken drain on paper towels after frying to remove excess oil. For a zesty twist, add fresh lemon juice or lime juice to the sauce. This brightens up the flavors. You can also mix in some grated orange zest. It adds a nice citrusy note. If you like heat, try adding more chili paste or sliced fresh chilies. For a nutty flavor, sprinkle in some toasted sesame seeds before serving. This gives a great crunch and taste. Pro Tips Use Cold Chicken: Starting with cold chicken helps it maintain moisture during cooking, resulting in a juicier and more tender final dish. Double Frying: For extra crunch, consider double frying the chicken. Fry it once to cook through, let it rest, then fry again briefly for a crispy exterior. Adjusting Spice Levels: Feel free to modify the amount of chili paste based on your spice tolerance. You can also add some sliced fresh chilies for more heat. Garnishing: For a pop of color and flavor, sprinkle additional fresh herbs or citrus zest on top before serving. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian version of General Tso's Chicken. Instead of chicken, use tofu or tempeh. Firm tofu works best. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and press it to remove excess water. Coat it in the same cornstarch mixture. Fry until golden and crispy. For added flavor, marinate the tofu in soy sauce for 30 minutes before cooking. This gives it a rich taste. Follow the same steps for the sauce, and you’ll enjoy a tasty vegetarian meal. If you're looking for healthier options, there are simple swaps. Substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or whole wheat flour. This adds more nutrients. You can also bake the chicken instead of frying it. Use an air fryer for a crispy finish with less oil. For the sauce, reduce the honey or use a sugar substitute. This makes it less sweet and lowers the calories. These changes make the dish lighter while keeping it flavorful. For those who love heat, spice it up! Add more chili paste to the sauce. You can also include sliced fresh chilies, like jalapeños or Thai bird chilies. Mix them in when you sauté the garlic and ginger. For an extra kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes on top before serving. Adjust the spice level to your liking, and enjoy a fiery twist on this classic dish! To keep your General Tso's Chicken fresh, store it in an airtight container. Let it cool to room temperature first. This helps prevent steam from making it soggy. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a good option. When reheating, use the stovetop if you can. Heat it in a pan on medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir often until it's heated through. This way, the chicken stays crispy. If using a microwave, cover it loosely to avoid drying out. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. To freeze General Tso's Chicken, portion it into freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bags with the date. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat using the stovetop method for the best taste. General Tso's Chicken comes from Chinese cuisine. It is named after a Chinese general, Tso Tsung-t'ang. The dish became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Many believe it was created by Chinese chefs in America. It's not a common dish in China, but it has gained fame worldwide. To make General Tso's Chicken less spicy, reduce or skip the chili paste. You can also use mild sauces or add more honey. This will balance out the heat with sweetness. Taste your sauce before adding the chicken. Adjust the flavors to match your preference. Yes, you can use other proteins! Tofu works well for a vegetarian option. Shrimp or beef can also be used if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed. Ensure your protein is cooked through and coated in the sauce. General Tso's Chicken pairs great with steamed jasmine rice. You can also serve it with fried rice for extra flavor. Stir-fried vegetables add color and crunch. Egg rolls or spring rolls make tasty appetizers too. These sides will round out your meal perfectly. General Tso's Chicken is more than just a tasty dish; it's an experience. We covered key ingredients, cooking steps, and tips for that perfect crunch. You learned how to adapt the recipe for different diets and tastes. We also discussed how to store and reheat leftovers properly. In the end, this dish is simple to make and fun to customize. Enjoy making it your own and impressing friends and family with your skills.

General Tso's Chicken with a Zesty Twist

A flavorful twist on the classic General Tso's chicken, featuring a zesty sauce and crispy chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste (adjust for spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Dip the chicken pieces in the beaten eggs, then coat them in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring an even layer.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in batches, frying until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towels.
  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, and sesame oil. Add this mixture to the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine.
  • Add the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  • Once coated and heated, remove from heat and stir in chopped green onions.
  • Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds on top.

Notes

Serve the chicken on a large serving platter over a bed of steamed jasmine rice, with additional green onions sprinkled on top and a side of pickled vegetables for added color and flavor.
Keyword Asian cuisine, chicken, fried chicken, General Tso's