The Ultimate Guide to Perfect General Tso Chicken Recipe

If you love Chinese takeout, then you have probably tried General Tso Chicken. This dish is one of the most popular Chinese-American dishes, and for good reason. The tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce perfectly complements the crispy chicken pieces. In this guide, we will walk you through all the essential steps to prepare a mouthwatering General Tso Chicken recipe.

Introduction

General Tso Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that features deep-fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Contrary to what you may think, General Tso’s Chicken did not originate in China. It is believed to be a creation of Chinese immigrants who settled in the United States. The dish was named after a famous Chinese general named Tso Tsung-t’ang (1812–1885), but has no connection to the general or his home province of Hunan.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for our General Tso Chicken recipe:

- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- Oil for frying

For Sauce:

- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water

Explanation of Ingredients

Chicken thighs are preferred over chicken breasts as they are more tender, moist, and flavorful.

Cornstarch is used both in coating the chicken and making the sauce. It adds a crispy texture and helps the chicken stay tender.

Flour is added to the coating mixture to help it adhere better to the chicken.

Salt and pepper are added to the coating mixture to enhance the flavors.

The egg is used to coat the chicken before dredging in the flour mixture.

Water is added to the egg mixture for thinning out its consistency.

Soy sauce is a key ingredient for umami flavor in Chinese cooking.

Honey and rice vinegar balance out the salty soy sauce.

Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce with soybean paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and spices.

Chili garlic sauce adds heat and spice to the dish.

Cornstarch acts as a thickener for the sauce.

Water is needed for diluting cornstarch and adjusting desired thickness of the sauce.

Preparation

Follow these steps for preparing chicken:

Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper.
In another bowl whisk together egg and water.
Add chicken pieces to the egg mixture making sure each piece is well coated.
Remove chicken from egg mixture, allowing any excess egg mixture to drip off and dredge in flour-cornstarch mixture until coated.

Marinating The Chicken

For an even more flavorful dish, marinate your chicken before frying it. Marinade ingredients are:

- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste

In a separate bowl add all marinade ingredients and mix well.
Add marination to chicken pieces.
Stir it well to coat evenly.
Cover with a cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Coating the Chicken with Flour Mixture

Flush coated chicken pieces in starch mixture respectively and place them on a plate.

**Pro-Tip:** Place chicken coated in flour-cornstarch mixture in a single layer on a wire rack to allow excess coating to fall off. Leave the coated chicken in the fridge for about 10 minutes, so the coating can adhere firmly.

Cooking Method

General Tso Chicken is traditionally deep-fried, but you can also bake them if you want a healthier version.

Deep Frying Method Instructions:

Heat oil to 375°F in a deep fryer or large pot.
Add a few pieces of chicken at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pan or fryer.
Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
Remove from oil using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Baking Method Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place chicken pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Sauce Recipe

Here’s how you can make an authentic General Tso sauce.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
Set aside.

Combining everything

Here’s how you can combine the chicken and sauce for the perfect General Tso Chicken recipe.

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium-high heat.
Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 10 seconds.
Pour in the sauce mixture, and stir continuously until it thickens about 3-4 minutes.
Add fried chicken pieces to the skillet or wok and stir until coated with the sauce.
Serve hot.

Serving and Pairing ideas

General Tso Chicken is traditionally served with steamed rice, but it also pairs well with noodles, including chow mein, lo mein, or Shanghai noodles.

Some great side dishes that complement this dish include sautéed vegetables like bok choy, asparagus, or snow peas.

For an extra crunch serve the General Tso Chicken with candied cashew nuts.

Tips and Variations

Tips For Perfecting The Recipe

Use boneless chicken thighs for the juiciest result.
Cornstarch helps achieve texture and crispiness. Don’t use more flour to replace it in coating mixture
Make sure oil is heated to 375°F before frying chicken to ensure crispy texture. Use Oil thermometer to check temperature.

Variations On The Traditional Recipe

The classic recipe calls for deep-frying chicken pieces, but you can switch it up by using wings instead. You can also make a vegetarian version using tofu instead of chicken. Another variation is adding vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots or green beans.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Overcrowding the pan during frying.
Using more flour and less cornstarch to coat the chicken.
Not deep-frying at the right temperature

Healthier Version

You can make your General Tso Chicken recipe healthier by:

Using roasted or baked chicken instead of deep-frying.
Using skinless chicken breast meat.
Baking the chicken pieces instead of frying for a crispy texture without oil required.
Serve with vegetable-based noodles or brown rice for extra nutrition benefits .

Cooking For A Crowd

If you are cooking for a crowd, you can increase the quantities of ingredients proportionally, and cook with big double-sided griddles or multiple pans. Fry cooked chicken salad in advance and reheat it in the oven at 300°F just before serving.

Guidelines For Cooking A Big Batch Of General Tso Chicken

Large batches of General Tso Chicken can be cooked as follows:

Fry the chicken in large batches according to instructions.
In a big wok, mix up sauce ingredients matching to your need. scale up your measure(proportional)
Add roasted garlic and ginger paste for extra flavor if serving more people.
Cook sauce until thick on low flame by stirring occasionally.
Add fried chicken pieces slowly and mix well into the sauce then sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve hot.

Additional Tips For Serving Large Groups

Make sure everything is prepared ahead of time to reduce stress at mealtime.
Serve the General Tso Chicken in a buffet-style with steamed rice and stir-fry vegetables as side items.
Set up a station, with roasting trays, forks, and spoons for self-serving, with separate plates of cashew nuts to sprinkle over the top.

Conclusion

General Tso Chicken is a dish enjoyed by many, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures. By following this guide, you’ll be able to make your own delicious version of this popular dish. With tips on preparation, cooking, serving suggestions, and variations on the classic recipe - you have all the knowledge you need to create the perfect General Tso Chicken recipe at home.

Frequently Asked Questions: General Tso Chicken Recipe

If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, you’ve probably heard of General Tso chicken. This dish is sweet, spicy, and savory all at the same time, making it a favorite for many. Here are some frequently asked questions about this popular recipe.

What is General Tso chicken?

General Tso chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with fried chicken pieces that are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. The sauce typically contains soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste.

Can I make General Tso chicken with boneless skinless chicken breasts?

Yes! While the traditional recipe calls for bone-in chicken thighs or wings, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead. Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly since they cook faster than bone-in meat.

Is General Tso chicken spicy?

Yes! This dish is known for its kick of spice. However, you can adjust the heat level to your liking by adding more or less chili paste or omitting it altogether if you don’t like spicy food.

What should I serve with General Tso chicken?

Rice: Steamed white rice is the perfect accompaniment to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Veggies: Stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy are great options to add some green to your meal.
Egg rolls: For an extra treat, serve some crispy egg rolls on the side.

How do I make crispy General Tso chicken without frying?

If you want to avoid deep frying the chicken, you can try baking it instead. Coat the chicken in cornstarch and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the chicken is cooked through, toss it in the sauce and serve immediately.