Description
Savory General Tso’s Chicken Delight showcases Chinese-American culinary magic with crispy chicken in tangy sauce. Balanced flavors and simple ingredients create a restaurant-quality meal you’ll enjoy preparing at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 600 g (1.4 lbs) chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 to 4 cups oil for frying (peanut, vegetable, or canola)
- 2 tbsps oil (peanut, vegetable or canola)
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken stock
- 3 tbsps soy sauce (light or all-purpose)
- 3 tbsps brown sugar
- 2 tsps ginger, finely chopped
- 2 tsps green onions, finely sliced
- 2 tsps chili paste (e.g., Sambal Oelek)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp garlic, finely grated
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl, creating a complex flavor base for the chicken.
- Coating Technique: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with cornflour, ensuring an even layer that will transform into a crispy golden exterior during frying.
- Sauce Development: Combine reserved marinade with brown sugar and cornflour, gradually blending in chicken stock to create a smooth, glossy sauce with perfect consistency.
- Frying Process: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, carefully fry chicken pieces until they achieve a rich golden-brown color and crisp texture, working in batches to maintain optimal temperature.
- Flavor Infusion: In a separate pan, quickly sauté garlic, ginger, and chili flakes to release their aromatic essence, then pour in the prepared sauce and allow it to simmer and thicken.
- Final Assembly: Gently fold crispy chicken into the bubbling sauce, ensuring each piece is completely and luxuriously coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the dish, then plate immediately with steamed rice to preserve the chicken’s perfect crispiness.
Notes
- Marinating Magic: Let chicken sit in marinade for 30 minutes to maximize flavor penetration and tenderize meat effectively.
- Cornflour Coating Technique: Dust chicken lightly and evenly to achieve ultra-crispy exterior without heavy breading.
- Oil Temperature Control: Maintain consistent 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown crunch without greasy residue.
- Sauce Consistency Tip: Whisk cornflour mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 463
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg