Name: General Tso's Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-487542H18M43S
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (cut into cubes); 1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a lighter crisp); 1 tsp paprika; 2 tsp garlic salt; 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)

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)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes.
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

Heat 3/4 cup oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to ensure they cook evenly, about 5 minutes per batch, until golden and crispy.
Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

3. Make the Sauce

In a separate pan, combine sugar, water, white vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using).
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

Once the sauce has thickened, pour it over the fried chicken in the frying pan.
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