GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its crispy, golden-brown chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. The chicken is battered and fried until perfectly crispy, then tossed in a sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, and a touch of sugar. This flavorful sauce is what makes the dish so irresistible, balancing the heat from the red pepper flakes with the sweetness from the sugar. Served with steamed rice or vegetables, General Tso’s Chicken is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. It’s easier to make at home than you might think and can be customized to your preferred level of spice.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp ginger, minced
• 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for desired spice level)
• 2 tbsp water

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the beaten egg and cold water, mixing until a smooth batter forms. Add the chicken pieces to the batter, making sure each piece is well-coated.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the battered chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Continue frying the remaining chicken.
3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and water. Set aside.
4. Cook the Sauce: In the same skillet used for frying the chicken, remove excess oil, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons in the pan. Over medium heat, pour in the prepared sauce and bring it to a simmer. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet. Toss the chicken in the sauce until evenly coated and heated through.
6. Serve: Transfer the General Tso’s Chicken to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.

General Tso’s Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. With its crispy chicken and rich sauce, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.