Description
Succulent General Tso’s Chicken Delight brings bold Chinese-American flavors to dinner tables with crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces glazed in a tangy-sweet sauce. Homemade comfort merges with restaurant-quality taste, promising a delectable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 600 grams (1.4 pounds) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) pieces
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (light or all-purpose)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons chili paste (e.g., Sambal Oelek)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons ginger, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
Coating and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 to 4 cups oil for frying (peanut, vegetable, or canola)
- 2 tablespoons oil (peanut, vegetable or canola)
- Finely sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, and sesame oil in a comprehensive mixing vessel to create a vibrant, aromatic marinade.
- Immerse chicken pieces into the marinade, incorporating freshly grated ginger and minced garlic. Allow the protein to absorb flavors for a half-hour, enhancing its taste profile.
- Carefully dust the marinated chicken with cornflour, ensuring an even, light coating that will create a crispy exterior when fried.
- Craft the finishing sauce by blending the reserved marinade with brown sugar and cornflour, then gradually incorporate chicken stock until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet to optimal temperature, carefully introducing chicken pieces and frying until they transform into golden, crunchy morsels with a perfectly crisp texture.
- In a separate skillet, awaken aromatic notes by quickly sautéing chopped garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, releasing their essential oils and intense flavors.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and thicken, creating a glossy, rich coating for the chicken.
- Gently fold crispy chicken pieces into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor absorption.
- Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds as a final flourish.
- Serve immediately alongside steamed rice, presenting a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance deep, rich flavor profiles and ensure tender meat texture.
- Maintain oil temperature at 200°C for crispy, golden-brown chicken without absorbing excessive grease during frying.
- Use a colander when coating chicken with cornflour to remove excess flour, preventing clumpy and uneven coating.
- Prepare sauce ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent last-minute ingredient searching.
- Serve immediately after combining chicken with sauce to preserve crispy exterior and optimal temperature.
- Select fresh green onions and high-quality sesame seeds for vibrant garnish that elevates visual appeal and adds subtle nutty crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg