One of the favorites that are so characteristic of the Chinese-American fusion, General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a splendid equipoise of sweet slightly spicy, and salty flavors. This dish comes with thinly breaded pieces of chicken which is followed by a very tasty sauce and tempting to the buds of the tongue. When in doubt, or when entertaining your family or friends, you can never go wrong with General Tso’s Chicken.
In respect to the origins of General Tso’s Chicken, the tales are shrouded in some controversy over where and by whom it was invented. However, it is a fact that has remained unchanged; it is still a go-to Order in any Chinese takeout menu across America. This delicious dish derived its name from a Chinese military leader of the 19th century, General Tso Tsung-tang although the dish has no link with the general in a real sense. Still, G. T’s Chicken has enticed the American palate and become a regular choice of dining fare in the contemporary era.
Why General Tso’s Chicken Stands Out
The reason responsible for the popularity of General Tso’s Chicken is the distinct taste of the dish. The sauce prepared from soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sugar turned out to be tangy with a slightly sweet profile. This savory sauce gets extra flavor from the garlic, ginger, and kilisher red pepper flakes which gives it a hint of heat. These elements of taste which blend in General Tso’s Chicken make the dish mouthwatering.
The texture is another improvement due to the precooking of the chicken, which is used in General Tso’s Chicken. The chicken parts must be dipped in a mixture of egg, cornstarch, and flour before it is deep fried to a golden brown crust. This makes the outside crunchy to give a nice contrast to the thick, almost sticky sweet rich sauce that covers the chicken. It simply could not get any better because the satisfaction from each bite owing to the inter-textural palatability of its cravings makes it irresistible.
Making General Tso’s Chicken at Home
General Tso’s Chicken is typically ordered as take-out food but in fact, it is very easy to prepare at home. Since you prepared this dish by yourself, it is easy for you to select the kind of ingredients that you want to incorporate in this dish. For instance, taste buds for spices imply that one can use more red pepper flakes if one wants stronger spiciness. If one wants to make the dish tastier, one can use a little sesame oil to take it a notch higher.
To make General Tso’s Chicken, begin by preparing your ingredients; Use chicken thighs; You need boneless, skinless chicken thighs that you cut into bite sizes. The portions are then marinated and coated in cornstarch, beaten eggs, or flour and then deep-fried to a crispy texture. The frying is the significant thing that influences the proper texture and taste of the dish, making the chicken tender inside and crispy outside.
The sauce is prepared from chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sugar. This mixture is then thickened with cornstarch to make the mixture thicken to the correct consistency. Adding garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the second pan and sautéing before adding the sauce gives the dish an added edge of taste and smell.
Once the sauce is made, the fried chicken is then tossed in this sauce until it is fully coated. Sesame seeds and the green portion of the scallions included make the food more appealing to the eye and palate. Steamed rice accompanies the General Tso’s Chicken and vegetables like broccoli or pepper are served alongside in a further addition.
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Authentic General Tso’s Chicken Recipe: Sweet, Spicy, and Delicious
Description
General Tso’s Chicken is one of the well-known Chinese dishes imported into the American territory and involves the creation of fried chicken pieces garnished with a mildly sweet, salty, and spicy sauce. Yes, it is delicious and can be taken for dinner; one can decide to take it with rice, or some vegetables.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
For the Sauce:
Optional Ingredients:
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: one with cornstarch, one with beaten eggs, and one with flour.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in cornstarch, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with flour. Set aside.
-
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in batches, frying until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
- Remove the fried chicken and drain on paper towels.
-
Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and hoisin sauce until well combined.
- In another small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Set aside.
- In a separate large skillet or wok, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
-
Combine and Serve:
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- If using, add sesame oil for extra flavor and mix well.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice and optional vegetables.
- Enjoy your homemade General Tso's Chicken!
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 410kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 35g54%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 98mg33%
- Sodium 1188mg50%
- Potassium 525mg15%
- Total Carbohydrate 53g18%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 15g
- Protein 25g50%
- Vitamin A 108 IU
- Vitamin C 10 mg
- Calcium 57 mg
- Iron 4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Adjust the level of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy texture on the chicken.
- You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if preferred.
