If you love the sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors of General Tso’s Chicken but want to skip the takeout, you’re in the right place! Making this iconic Chinese-American dish at home is easier than you think, and the result is crispy, juicy chicken coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that will impress everyone at your dinner table. Let’s dive into how you can make General Tso’s Chicken step-by-step with tips to get it just right.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients Overview
For the Chicken:
– 2 pounds of chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces) – thighs stay juicy and flavorful, but breasts work too
– 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)
– 1/4 cup light oil (like olive or vegetable oil) for frying
– Fresh ginger (minced)
– Garlic (minced)
– Red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
– Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
For the Sauce:
– 1/2 cup cold water
– 5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
– 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (or better yet, Chinese black vinegar for a richer tang)
– 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
– 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making General Tso’s Chicken
1. Prep Your Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized cubes about 1 inch each. Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch until they’re evenly coated. This coating is key to getting that crispy texture when frying.
2. Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. This mix of soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin, sugar, and cornstarch will give you that signature sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze.
3. Cook the Chicken
Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each batch until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
4. Sauté Aromatics
Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pan, leave about a tablespoon of oil and sauté minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until fragrant—about 30 seconds. This step infuses the oil with flavor that will carry into the sauce.
5. Simmer the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into the pan and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or vinegar to balance sweetness and tang.
6. Combine and Serve
Add the crispy chicken back into the pan and toss to coat every piece with the luscious sauce. Cook for another minute to let the flavors meld. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions if you like. Serve immediately over steamed rice or alongside your favorite veggies.
Pro Tips for Perfect General Tso’s Chicken
– Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ingredients make a big difference in flavor compared to powders.
– Chicken thighs are best: They stay juicy and tender, unlike chicken breast which can dry out.
– Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry chicken in small batches to keep it crispy and evenly cooked.
– Use low sodium soy sauce: This lets you control the saltiness better, especially since hoisin sauce is already salty.
– Serve immediately: The crispy coating can get soggy if the dish sits too long after saucing.
– Try Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang vinegar): It adds a richer, more complex tang than regular rice vinegar.
Why Make General Tso’s Chicken at Home?
Making General Tso’s Chicken at home not only saves money but also lets you customize the spice level and ingredients to your liking. Plus, the crispy texture you get fresh from the pan is far superior to most takeout versions that can get soggy during delivery. It’s a fun recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a restaurant-quality dish made in your own kitchen.
General Tso’s Chicken is a delicious blend of crispy chicken and a sticky, flavorful sauce that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. With fresh ingredients, a good coating, and a perfectly balanced sauce, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands in under an hour. Enjoy the process and the tasty results!