General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved dish commonly found in American-Chinese restaurants. The crispy chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and savory sauce, offering a delightful alternative to sesame or orange chicken. This homemade version is just as tasty, yet simpler to make and free from any unwanted additives!
Why You’ll Like This Recipe:
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Quick and Easy: You can make this dish in under 30 minutes, which is quicker than waiting for takeout!
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Better than Takeout: The crispy chicken with a flavorful sauce will leave you craving more. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, without being too spicy.
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Customizable: Adjust the heat with extra chili flakes or add fresh garlic and ginger for enhanced flavor.
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Versatile: Whether you choose to make it on the stove, in a slow cooker, or even bake it in the oven, this recipe offers multiple ways to enjoy it.
Equipment
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12″ frying pan
Ingredients
For the Breading:
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4 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
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1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
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1 tsp paprika
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2 tsp garlic salt
For the Sauce:
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1 1/4 cup sugar
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1 cup water
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1 cup white vinegar
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1 tsp salt
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6 Tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
How to Make General Tso’s Chicken:
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Coat the chicken pieces with the breading and fry in 3/4 cup of oil. Cook the chicken in batches to ensure an even cook.
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In a separate pan, combine all the sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 12 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
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Once the sauce has thickened, pour it over the fried chicken pieces and toss to coat.
Notes:
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Tenderizing the Chicken: For tender chicken, add 1 tsp of baking soda and 2 tsp of vinegar to the chicken cubes. Let it sit for 10 minutes before continuing with the recipe. This will help tenderize the meat.
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Slow Cooker Instructions: Transfer the fried chicken to a slow cooker and pour the sauce over it. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
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Oven-Baked Instructions: Place the fried chicken in a baking dish and pour the sauce over it. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
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Handy Tip: For a side dish, place a colander of broccoli florets over the pot while the chicken simmers. In just 7 minutes, you’ll have steamed broccoli ready to serve alongside!
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For Extra Spice: If you enjoy a little heat, add 1 tsp of red chili flakes. You can also enhance the flavor with spices like fresh ginger or garlic.
General Tso’s Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Craving the perfect combination of crispy chicken and a sweet-savory sauce? This homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe is just what you need! Skip the takeout and make this restaurant-quality dish in under 30 minutes. Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors, with customizable heat and easy preparation.
Ingredients
For the Breading:
4 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a lighter crisp)
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp garlic salt
For the Sauce:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
1 tsp salt
6 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
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Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes.
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In a large bowl, combine flour (or cornstarch), paprika, and garlic salt. Toss chicken cubes in the mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
2. Fry the Chicken
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Heat 3/4 cup oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
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Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to ensure they cook evenly, about 5 minutes per batch, until golden and crispy.
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Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Sauce
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In a separate pan, combine sugar, water, white vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using).
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 12 minutes until it thickens.
4. Combine Chicken and Sauce
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Once the sauce has thickened, pour it over the fried chicken in the frying pan.
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Toss the chicken in the sauce to coat evenly.
Notes
- Tenderizing the Chicken: For extra tender chicken, add 1 tsp of baking soda and 2 tsp of vinegar to the chicken cubes. Let it sit for 10 minutes before cooking.
- Slow Cooker Method: After frying, place chicken in a slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Oven-Baked Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place fried chicken in a baking dish, pour sauce over it, and bake for 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: american, chinese
