General Tso's Chicken
Unlock the secrets to homemade General Tso's Chicken! This recipe delivers crispy chicken, a sticky, flavorful sauce, and the perfect balance of sweet and savory that your whole family will love.
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet
- Whisk
Ingredients
The Chicken
- 2 lb chicken thighs trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup corn starch for dredging
- 1/4 cup extra light olive oil plus more as needed for frying
Aromatics & Garnish
- 2 tbsp minced ginger from a 2-inch piece
- 3 cloves garlic grated or finely minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes added to taste
- 1 tsp sesame seeds optional for garnish
General Tso's Sauce
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar or more to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch for thickening
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off the excess. Set dredged chicken on a platter and set aside.
- In a separate dish, combine all the ingredients for your sauce and whisk to combine.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet with oil. Cook chicken in 2 to 3 batches, sauteeing until golden on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken and transfer to a bowl. Leave at least 1 Tbsp oil in the pan.
- Add the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes to the pan. Sautee for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer while stirring. Let it simmer for 1 minute to cook off the vinegar a little.
- Taste the sauce and adjust with more soy sauce or vinegar if desired. Add the chicken back in and toss to coat. Serve garnished with sesame seeds.
Notes
For the crispiest results, ensure the oil is hot before adding the chicken and do not crowd the pan. Serving this over steamed white rice or fried rice completes the meal!
