Are you craving the delicious, crispy, and flavorful General Tso's Chicken from your favorite restaurant but want to enjoy it at home? With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that rivals or even surpasses your takeout go-to. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of achieving that mouthwatering General Tso's Chicken that you've been dreaming of, from the perfect batter to the irresistible sauce. Let's get started and unleash your inner chef!
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN RECIPE
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout go-to. Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!
Provided by Natalya Drozhzhin
Categories Easy
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss each piece with cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a separate dish, combine all the ingredients for your sauce together.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet with oil. Cook each chicken piece until all the sides are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan. Leave about 1 tbsp of oil in the pan for cooking.
- Add the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Sautee for about 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer then add the chicken and toss to coat. Serve right away!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 977 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American takeout classic, that you can make at home in under 30 minutes! This family favorite meal combines crispy chicken pieces with a delicious sauce. Serve over a bed of rice and steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Provided by Rachel Farnsworth
Categories Main Dish
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, salt and white pepper. Submerge chicken breast pieces in mixture and set aside.
- Meanwhile, pour enough vegetable oil into a large pot or saucepan to cover the bottom with 2 inches of vegetable oil Heat to 350 degrees F. Working in small batches, fry chicken pieces until cooked through and golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a large skillet, whisk together 1/4 cup of the water with the cornstarch until dissolved. Whisk in the remaining water along with rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Place the skillet over high heat and bring to a simmer. The sauce will thicken upon simmering. Let simmer up to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add in chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with green onions (if using).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 398 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 1406 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN (RESTAURANT QUALITY)
I can't wait to make this version of General Tso's Chicken. A detailed write-up and the recipe I found in the February/March 2008 publication of "Cooks Country" magazine. Note: In step 4, the fried chicken pieces can be held in 200 degree oven for up to 30 minutes before being added to the sauce (if held any longer, they will lose their crispness). If the sauce is too thick in step 5, whisk in 1 tablespoon of water before adding the crispy chicken. Note #2: Please note that the time's I've enter are guesstimations only and the marinading time is not included.
Provided by Happy Hippie
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the marinade and sauce: Whisk hoisin, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, cornstarchand water in bowl.
- Combine 6 tablespoons hoisin mixture and chicken in zipper-lock bag; refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Cook garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add 2 cups hoisin mixture and simmer, whisking constantly, until dark brown and thickened, about 2 minute.
- Cover and keep sauce warm.
- For coating and frying: Whisk egg whites in shallow dish until foamy.
- Combine cornstarch, flour, baking soda, and remaining hoisin mixture in second shallow dish until mixture resembles course meal.
- remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with aper towels.
- Toss half of the chicken with egg whites until well coated, then dredge chicken in cornstarch mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Transfer coated chicken to plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until oil registers 350 degrees.
- Fry half of the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes, turning each piece halfway through cooking.
- Transfer chicken to paper towel-lined plate.
- Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining chicken.
- To serve: Warm sauce over medium-low heat until simmering, about 1 minute.
- Add crispy chicken and toss to coat.
- Serving over rice or noodles would be awesome!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2480.6, Fat 224.3, SaturatedFat 29.3, Cholesterol 69.4, Sodium 1554.5, Carbohydrate 85.7, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 18.8, Protein 34.4
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 1 to 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring oil to between 350 and 375 degrees F. Cut chicken into chunks, then mix together with cornstarch. Fry in oil.
- For the sauce: Mix together soy sauce, sugar, hoisin, vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, chili flakes and 1/2 cup water. Toss fried chicken in sauce, then serve.
EASY GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Get the recipe for a fast version of the iconic takeout dish, which takes only 22 minutes.
Provided by Rhoda Boone
Categories 22-Minute Meals Chicken Takeout at Home Honey Green Bean Soy Sauce Ginger Chile Pepper Dinner Quick & Easy
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss green beans with 1 Tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until crisp-tender and blackened in spots, 12-15 minutes.
- Whisk cornstarch, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a large bowl. Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over high. Add chicken to cornstarch mixture and toss to coat. Cook half of chicken, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and a light brown crust forms, 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, Sriracha, tomato paste, ginger, 3 Tbsp. water, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl.
- Transfer chicken to a plate. Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in skillet over high. Cook remaining chicken 5 minutes, then add chiles (you can add a few more depending on your heat preference) and cook, stirring and making sure chiles make contact with bottom of pan, until chicken is cooked through and chiles have toasted and puffed, about 1 minute more. Stir in honey mixture. Return first batch of chicken to skillet, toss to coat, and cook until sauce is reduced and thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Divide chicken and green beans among plates. Top with scallions. Serve with rice alongside.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
There's been a lot of rumor about the origins of this dish; I'll let others fight it out and just focus on its deliciousness! I think that the human palate is drawn to the combination of savory, sour, sweet, salty and spicy. I think that's why we all love this dish. There's a huge difference between the popular sambal oelek and Chinese chili garlic sauce. Sambal is very easy to find but it's twice as hot as chili garlic. So, if you are using sambal, use half the amount.
Provided by Jet Tila
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For the chicken: Place your broccoli florets in a medium bowl and add 2 tablespoons water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 2 minutes, until tender. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
- Heat the oil in a 4-quart (3.8-liter) Dutch oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) using a frying thermometer. Rinse the chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Mix 1 1/2 cups (335 grams) of the tempura flour and 1 cup (240 milliliters) water into a thick batter. It should look like thick pancake batter. Dredge the chicken cubes in the 1 cup (223 grams) of tempura flour and then coat them in the batter. Fry them in two batches until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels or a rack.
- Heat a wok or large skillet to high and add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of oil. When you see the first wisps of white smoke, stir in the fried chicken, onion, chiles, broccoli, and 1/3 of the ginger and garlic and cook them for about 30 seconds.
- For the sauce: While the chicken cooks, add the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch slurry, red food coloring if using, 1/3 cup water and the remaining chopped ginger and garlic into a 1-quart (946-millileter) saucepan and bring the heat up to medium. Whisk gently as it comes to a simmer. Allow it to simmer and keep whisking it for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and reserve it.
- Stir in the sauce and allow it to coat the chicken and simmer. Cook it, folding all the ingredients until they are well coated, about 2 minutes. Garnish with the scallions.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
This is the classic that is so popular in Chinese restaurants. Banana sauce can be found in Asian stores. It is made in the Philippines. If you can't get it substitute ketchup.
Provided by CRAIG
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat 4 cups of peanut oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl; whisk in 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and the cornstarch. Mix in the chicken until all the pieces are coated with batter. Drop into the hot oil a piece at a time; cook until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and no longer pink on the inside, about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Stir together the vinegar, wine, sugar, soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and the banana ketchup in a small bowl until smooth; set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in the dried chile peppers and cook for a few seconds until the peppers brighten. Stir in the onion, garlic, and orange zest. Cook and stir until the onion is beginning to brown. Stir in the sauce; bring to a boil before adding the fried chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and stir until the chicken pieces are well coated with the sauce, a few minutes longer. Serve sprinkled with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2474.9 calories, Carbohydrate 52.6 g, Cholesterol 161.4 mg, Fat 243.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 28.7 g, SaturatedFat 41.7 g, Sodium 949.2 mg, Sugar 11.1 g
MEAN GUY'S GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
This is an adoptee. I have made it many many times and want to be able to help people out when they make it! One of the best I've ever had. Takes some time, but oh so worth it. Good eats ;-)
Provided by Kirstin in the Couv
Categories Chicken
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large bowl, thoroughly blend the 1/2 cup of cornstarch and the eggs; add the chicken and toss to coat.
- If the mixture is too thick, add some vegetable oil to separate the pieces.
- In a small bowl, prepare the sauce mixture by combining the 2 tsp cornstarch with the wine, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.
- First-Stage Frying: Heat 1-2 inches of peanut oil in a wok to medium-high heat (350-400).
- Fry the chicken in small batches, just long enough to cook the chicken through.
- Remove the chicken to absorbent paper and allow to stand (this step can be performed well in advance, along with the sauce mixture, with both refrigerated).
- Second-Stage Frying: Leave a tablespoon or two of the oil in the wok.
- Add the pepper pods to the oil and stir-fry briefly, awakening the aroma but not burning them.
- Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until the pieces are crispy brown.
- The General's Favorite Sauce: Add the sauce-mixture to the wok, tossing over the heat until the sauce caramelizes into a glaze (1-2 minutes).
- Serve immediately.
- Serves 4, along with steamed broccoli and rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 414, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 235, Sodium 895.6, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 9.8, Protein 25.9
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling.
- Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This is especially important for the chicken and the sauce.
- Marinate the Chicken: Marinating the chicken in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and spices helps tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
- Double-Coating the Chicken: Dredging the chicken in cornstarch and then egg whites before frying it gives it a crispy, golden-brown coating.
- Fry the Chicken in Small Batches: Do not overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. This will help ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and does not become soggy.
- Make the Sauce Separately: Make the sauce separately from the chicken so that you can control the flavor and consistency.
- Simmer the Sauce: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
- Add the Chicken to the Sauce: Once the sauce is ready, add the fried chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the General Tso's chicken immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Conclusion:
General Tso's chicken is a delicious and popular Chinese dish that can be easily made at home with the right ingredients and techniques. By following these tips, you can create a restaurant-quality General Tso's chicken that will impress your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
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