Craving comfort food that’s both quick and packed with flavor? General Tso’s Chicken is your answer. This dish delivers an incredible blend of sweet, savory, and spicy tastes in every bite. Skip the takeout and enjoy a satisfying, healthier homemade version. From my family’s kitchen to yours, let’s get cooking!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My love for General Tso’s Chicken really blossomed during my college years. Late nights studying often led to a craving for something satisfying and flavorful. Ordering takeout was the tempting, easy option, but the heavy sodium and questionable ingredients always left me feeling guilty. That’s when I decided to learn how to make General Tso’s Chicken myself. After a few experiments, I found the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. Now, it is a go-to comfort food that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. This recipe is my attempt to share that joy, without the guilt!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
Other:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, pepper, egg, and soy sauce. Mix until all the chicken is evenly coated.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes).
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken (about 2-3 minutes).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions (if using). Serve hot over rice.
General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, pepper, egg, and soy sauce. Mix until all the chicken is evenly coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes).2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken (about 2-3 minutes).
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions (if using). Serve hot over rice.1/4 cup sesame seeds, chopped green onions
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