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Homemade General Tso's Chicken photo

General Tso's Chicken

Crispy fried chicken tossed in a tangy-sweet, savory General Tso's sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for skillet
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for sauce slurry

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • deep pot or Dutch oven
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Paper Towels
  • Large Skillet
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Combine the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl and mix well.
  2. Beat the 2 large eggs in a separate bowl.
  3. Heat 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to about 340°F (175°C) for frying.
  4. Working in batches, dip each piece of chicken first into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  5. Fry 5–6 pieces at a time until golden and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes, turning once; transfer to paper towels to drain.
  6. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
  7. Whisk together 1/2 cup chicken stock, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 4 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a measuring cup or small bowl until smooth.
  8. Add the sauce mixture to the skillet, bring to a simmer until it thickens and becomes glossy, about 1–2 minutes.
  9. Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss until each piece is evenly coated and heated through.
  10. Serve immediately with rice and steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • If you can't find hoisin sauce, you can make a homemade version using the linked recipe.
  • To reduce calories, skip coating and deep-frying and pan-cook the chicken until no longer pink, then add the sauce and simmer.
  • Nutrition values are estimates and vary by product used.