General Tso’s Chicken

From: https://cheffrecipes.com/easy-general-tsos-chicken-recipe/ 

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup  soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup  cornstarch
  • 1 egg, beaten

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Additional Ingredients:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation

Marinating the Chicken:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, cornstarch, and beaten egg. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly.
  2. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Preparing the Sauce:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar until well combined.
  2. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.

Cooking the Chicken:

Frying Instructions:

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
  3. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
  4. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Chicken:

  1. Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to ensure a crispy coating.
  2. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and make the chicken soggy.

Making the Sauce:

Combining the Sauce Ingredients:

  1. In the same skillet or wok, remove excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon for cooking the sauce.
  2. Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Cooking the Sauce:

  1. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.
  2. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Combining the Chicken and Sauce:

  1. Tossing the Chicken in Sauce:
  2. Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened sauce.
  3. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.

Ensuring Even Coating:

  1. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure each piece of chicken is well coated.

Serving Suggestions

  1. Serve this General Tso’s Chicken over steamed white rice or fried rice. Add a side of steamed broccoli or snow peas for a complete meal. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added touch.