GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

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General Tso's chicken is named for Tso Tsung-t'ang, a 19th-century general who is said to have enjoyed eating it. The Hunanese have a strong military tradition, and Tso is one of their best-known historical figures. But although many Chinese dishes are named after famous personages, there is no record of any dish named after Tso. The real roots of the recipe lie in the aftermath of the Chinese civil war, when the leadership of the defeated Nationalist Party fled to the island of Taiwan. They took with them many talented people, including a number of notable chefs, and foremost among them was Peng Chang-kuei. He created this dish in 1950s Taiwan, and brought it with him when he moved to the states in 1973, making it sweeter for American palates. This version is adapted from the original, hot and sour and lacking the sweetness of its Americanized counterpart.

Provided by Fuchsia Dunlop

Categories     dinner, one pot, main course

Time 40m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon double-concentrate tomato paste, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon of water
1/2 teaspoon potato flour or cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 tablespoons chicken stock or water
12 ounces (about 4 to 5) skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons potato flour
1 quart peanut oil, more as needed
6 to 10 dried red chilies
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons sesame oil
Scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Make the sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • To prepare the chicken, unfold the chicken thighs and lay them on a cutting board. Remove as much of the sinew as possible. (If some parts are very thick, cut them in half horizontally.) Slice a few shallow crosshatches into the meat. Cut each thigh into roughly 1/4-inch slices and place in a large bowl. Add the soy sauces and egg yolk and mix well. Stir in the potato flour and 2 teaspoons peanut oil and set aside. Using scissors, snip the chilies into 3/4-inch pieces, discarding the seeds. Set aside.
  • Pour 3 1/2 cups peanut oil into a large wok, or enough oil to rise 1 1/2 inches from the bottom. Set over high heat until the oil reaches 350 to 400 degrees. Add half the chicken and fry until crisp and deep gold, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate. Repeat with the second batch. Pour the oil into a heatproof container and wipe the wok clean.
  • Place the wok over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons peanut oil. When hot, add the chilies and stir-fry for a few seconds, until they just start to change color. Add the ginger and garlic and stir-fry for a few seconds longer, until fragrant. Add the sauce, stirring as it thickens. Return the chicken to the wok and stir vigorously to coat. Remove from the heat, stir in the sesame oil and top with scallions. Serve with rice.

Saad Bablee
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I love this recipe! It's so easy to make and the results are always amazing. The chicken is crispy and the sauce is so flavorful. I highly recommend this recipe.


kztfr kztfr
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This recipe is a winner! The chicken was crispy and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


Alex R
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I've tried many General Tso's chicken recipes, but this one is my favorite. The chicken is always crispy and the sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.


StockGirl 7379
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This is my go-to recipe for General Tso's chicken. It's easy to make and always turns out delicious. I love the crispy chicken and the flavorful sauce.


Brooklyn gaming
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I love this recipe! The chicken is always crispy and the sauce is so flavorful. I've made it several times and it's always a hit with my family and friends.


Selina Kgatla
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This recipe is so easy to follow and the results are amazing! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this again and again.


Stephanie Cantrell
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I made this recipe for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved the chicken and the sauce. I will definitely be making this again.


Ditebogo Malinga
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This recipe is a keeper! The chicken was crispy and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I served it with rice and broccoli, and it was a hit with my family.


Odhran Heagney
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This was my first time making General Tso's chicken and it turned out great! The chicken was crispy and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


Emmanuella Ike
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I've tried many General Tso's chicken recipes, but this one is by far the best. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the sauce was flavorful and addictive. I highly recommend this recipe!


Amanda Leffler
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This recipe was easy to follow and the end result was delicious! I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs and they were cooked perfectly. The sauce was also very tasty and had just the right amount of heat.


Dhelower Mena
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General Tso's chicken is one of my favorite dishes, and this recipe did not disappoint! The chicken was crispy and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. I will definitely be making this again.


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