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Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe

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4.2 from 75 reviews

This General Tso Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy, juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy glaze. Inspired by classic Chinese takeout, this homemade version uses a simple marinade and a flavorful sauce to create a restaurant-quality dish that pairs wonderfully with fried rice or chow mein. Ideal for a satisfying and impressive dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and promises a delightful meal for the whole family.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 6 pieces boneless chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ⅓ cup rice flour
  • ¼ cup corn starch
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper to season
  • ⅓ cup soda water
  • 1 egg

General Tso Sauce

  • 2.5 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1.5 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 3-4 tbsp honey
  • 1.5 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 3 tbsp cold water
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, corn starch, rice flour, soda water, and egg. Add the chicken pieces and massage the mixture thoroughly to form a thick but slightly runny batter. Adjust the rice flour or soda water if needed. Let the chicken rest and marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together 2.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp hoisin sauce, 3-4 tbsp honey, 1.5 tbsp minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper until well combined.
  3. Deep Fry the Chicken (First Fry): Heat enough oil in a deep pan to fully cover the chicken over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces and deep fry for 6-7 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside on a rack or paper towels.
  4. Optional Second Fry: For extra crispiness, bring the oil temperature higher, add the fried chicken back into the hot oil, and fry for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove and drain again.
  5. Cook the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a clean pan and simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to develop flavors.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: Combine 2 tbsp corn starch with 3 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce and continue cooking for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
  7. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the crispy chicken pieces to the sauce pan, sprinkle sesame seeds, and toss everything together over high heat for 1 minute to coat the chicken evenly and meld flavors.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy coating.
  • You can adjust the crushed red pepper quantity based on your spice preference.
  • For a low-carb or keto version, try substituting rice flour and soda water with almond flour and sparkling water respectively.
  • Serve with steamed rice, fried rice, or chow mein for a complete meal.
  • Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/homemade-general-tso-chicken-recipe/