Print

Savory General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 75 reviews

Savory General Tso’s Chicken features crispy bite-sized chicken pieces fried to golden perfection and tossed in a flavorful, tangy sauce made with hoisin, soy, garlic, and a hint of spice. This crowd-pleasing dish is perfect served over steamed rice, offering a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (or rice flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 large egg whites, whipped
  • 2 cups vegetable or canola oil (for frying)

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce (or mix of soy sauce and sugar)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice tolerance)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons water (to mix with cornstarch)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them well with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
  2. Coat Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch and all-purpose flour. Lightly whip the egg whites in a separate bowl. Dip each seasoned chicken piece into the egg whites, then thoroughly coat them in the flour mixture. This coating will get crispy when fried.
  3. Heat Oil: Pour the vegetable or canola oil into a heavy pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Test the oil’s readiness by dropping a small amount of the flour mixture into the oil; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready for frying.
  4. Fry Chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until they turn golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
  5. Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to blend the flavors.
  6. Thicken Sauce: Transfer the sauce mixture to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with about 2 tablespoons of water until smooth, then slowly stir this slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze consistency.
  7. Combine: Add the fried chicken pieces into the thickened sauce and toss gently to fully coat each piece. Serve immediately, ideally over a bed of steamed rice for a classic presentation.

Notes

  • For gluten-free option, use rice flour in place of cornstarch/all-purpose flour and tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder taste.
  • Ensure oil temperature remains steady while frying to get crispy chicken without greasiness.
  • Can be served with steamed vegetables or garnished with sliced green onions for extra freshness.

Keywords: General Tso's Chicken, crispy chicken, fried chicken, hoisin sauce, Asian chicken recipe, sweet and spicy chicken, quick dinner

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/savory-general-tsos-chicken-recipe/