General Tso Chicken

A classic Chinese-American takeout favorite, General Tso Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish with crispy fried chicken coated in a tangy and slightly spicy sauce.

Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

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Ingredients

For the Chicken

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
0.5 cup cornstarch
0.25 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs beaten
3 cups vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce

0.75 cup chicken broth
0.5 cup soy sauce
0.5 cup white vinegar
0.5 cup granulated sugar
0.25 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon sesame oil
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

For Garnish

0.5 cup scallions thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted

Instructions

Preparation Steps

In a shallow dish, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then dredge them in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
While the chicken is frying, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, white vinegar, sugar, ketchup, cornstarch, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Pour the sauce mixture into a clean skillet or the same skillet after draining most of the oil. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the fried chicken to the thickened sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness. This dish is best served fresh.