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Crispy General Tso Chicken

Crispy General Tso Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Crispy General Tso Chicken is a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and crispy. This easy weeknight dinner is ready in under an hour, making it a must-try for your next meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 pounds chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten eggs
  • Canola oil for frying
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce or amino acids for gluten-free version
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Green onions chopped
  • Sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Chef's Knife
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Frying Pan

Method
 

  1. In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add beaten eggs to another bowl.
  3. Pour about 2 inches of canola oil into a deep frying pan and heat it over medium-high heat.
  4. Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs.
  5. Add the chicken chunks to the cornstarch mixture and toss until well-coated. Work in batches.
  6. Cook it in batches in the hot oil until golden and crispy.
  7. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  8. Discard the oil and wipe the skillet clean.
  9. Add all the Sauce ingredients to the same skillet and whisk to combine. Cook it over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until it starts to simmer.
  10. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
  11. Once the sauce is thickened, add the chicken and stir to coat.
  12. Remove from heat. Serve garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Prepare in advance: Have everything ready before starting. This is a fast-moving recipe, so everything should be measured and set out right where they can be reached.
  • Uniform sizes: Cut the chicken into pieces about the same size so they cook evenly.
  • Shake off excess: Don’t forget to shake off the excess egg and flour so it does not get all caked up.
  • Avoid crowding: Don’t crowd the pan. This can cause it to steam instead of frying, which will make the chicken soggy.
  • Let it cool: It is essential to remove the chicken from the pan while making the sauce. It has to cool off before adding it back to the sauce to get a crispy coating.