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Savory General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 74 reviews

This Savory General Tso’s Chicken recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on the traditional takeout favorite. Tender bite-sized chicken pieces are coated in a crunchy mixture, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce featuring hoisin, soy, garlic, and ginger. Perfect served over steamed rice for a satisfying dinner with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (or rice flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 large egg whites, whipped
  • 2 cups vegetable or canola oil, for frying

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce (or mix of soy sauce and sugar)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice tolerance)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening sauce)
  • Water, for mixing with cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
  2. Coat Chicken: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour thoroughly. Whisk the egg whites until slightly frothy to help create a light, adhesive coating. Dip each chicken piece into the egg whites, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating over each piece.
  3. Heat Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a deep pan or skillet and heat it to 350°F (175°C). To test if the oil is ready, sprinkle a small amount of the flour mixture into the oil; it should sizzle immediately without burning.
  4. Fry Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the chicken turns golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken pieces and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes until well combined.
  6. Thicken Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix the tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry, then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  7. Combine: Add the fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce in the saucepan. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat each piece evenly in the sauce. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, use rice flour in place of cornstarch and gluten-free all-purpose flour, and substitute tamari for soy sauce.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred level of spiciness.
  • Ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 350°F to achieve the best crispness.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to avoid soggy chicken and uneven cooking.
  • Hoisin sauce adds a distinctive umami sweetness but can be substituted with a soy sauce and sugar mixture if preferred.

Keywords: General Tso’s Chicken, crispy chicken, Chinese takeout, easy dinner, fried chicken, savory chicken recipe, homemade General Tso

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/savory-general-tsos-chicken-recipe/