General Tso’s Chicken Recipes is a popular Chinese-American dish that features crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce.
It is often served with steamed rice or vegetables and is a favorite in many Chinese restaurants and takeout menus across the United States.
Despite its popularity in the United States, it is not commonly found in traditional Chinese cuisine.
The dish is named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a Qing dynasty military leader, though there is no direct connection between him and the dish.
Instead, General Tso’s Chicken is believed to have originated in Chinese-American restaurants in the mid-20th century.
What Is The General Tso’s Chicken Recipes?
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that consists of crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce.
The dish is named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a military leader of the Qing dynasty, although it is not traditionally associated with him in Chinese cuisine.
General Tso’s Chicken is known for its bold flavors and contrasting textures. The crispy exterior of the chicken complements the sticky and flavorful sauce.
It’s often served alongside steamed rice or vegetables, making it a popular choice at Chinese-American restaurants and for homemade takeout-style meals.
How Long Will It Take To Prepare Recipes?
The preparation time for General Tso’s Chicken can vary depending on factors such as your cooking experience, kitchen setup, and multitasking abilities. However, here’s a rough estimate of the time it might take:
- Preparation of Ingredients: It takes approximately 15-20 minutes, including cutting the chicken into pieces, chicken garlic and ginger, slicing green onions, and gathering other ingredients.
- Cooking the Chicken: Frying the chicken in batches for around 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your frying pan or wok and the heat of your oil.
- Making the Sauce: Preparing the sauce and cooking it until thickened may take about 5-7 minutes.
- Combining and Finalizing: Once the chicken is fried and the chicken sauce is ready, it takes another 5-7 minutes to combine them and allow the chicken to absorb the sauce.
So, in total, you’re looking at roughly 40-55 minutes from start to finish. It’s important to note that this is just an estimate, and actual times may vary.
It’s always a good idea to read through the recipe and gather all your ingredients and equipment before starting to streamline the cooking process.
How Do You Make General Tso’s Chicken Recipes?
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its crispy chicken coated in a chicken sweet and slightly spicy sauce. Here’s a basic recipe to make it at home:
Essential Ingredients For General Tso’s Chicken Recipes:
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (such as vegetable oil)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- Three tablespoons of hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 2-3 dried red chilies (optional)
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Essential Instructions For The General Tso’s Chicken Recipes:
Prepare the Chicken:
Step 1
In a bowl, whisk the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the egg mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
Step 2
Place the cornstarch in another bowl. Dredge each chicken piece in the cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
Step 3
Heat oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch.
Step 4
Remove the chick chicken oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Make the Sauce:
Step 5
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth until well combined. Set aside.
Step 6
In a separate pan or wok, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies (if using). Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 7
Pour in the sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 8
Add the fried chicken to the chicken, tossing to coat each piece evenly. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up the chicken sauce and become heated through.
Serve
Transfer the General Tso’s Chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.
Additional Tips for General Tso’s Chicken Recipes:
- Marinate the Chicken: For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a splash of rice wine for 30 minutes to 1 hour before coating them in cornstarch and frying.
- Consistency of Sauce: Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less cornstarch. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it’s too thin, simmer it for a bit longer until it reaches the desired thickness.
- The crispiness of chicken: To maintain the crispiness of the chicken, avoid placing the chicken in the frying pan or wok when frying. Fry the chicken in a bat and ensure the oil is hot enough before adding each batch.
- Garnish Creatively: In addition to green onions and sesame seeds, you can garnish your General Tso’s Chicken with chopped peanuts or cashews for added texture and flavor.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a spicier dish, you can increase the amount of dried red chilies or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: General Tso’s Chicken is best served immediately after cooking to retain its crispiness. If you need to keep it warm before serving, place it in a low oven (around 200°F or 95°C) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Precautions for General Tso’s Chicken Recipes:
- Hot Oil Safety: Exercise caution when frying the chicken in a skillet of hot oil. Make sure your frying pan or wok is deep enough to prevent oil from spilling over the sides.
- Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Keep an eye on the chicken while frying to prevent it from becoming overly crispy or burnt. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a golden-brown color.
- Handling Spices: Be careful when handling dried red chilies or crushed red pepper flakes, especially if you have sensitive skin or eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching them and avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Sauce Thickening: When adding cornstarch to the sauce, make sure to dissolve it completely in the liquid to prevent lumps from forming. Stir continuously while simmering to ensure the sauce thickens evenly.
- Allergen Awareness: When serving General Tso’s Chicken, be mindful of any food allergies or dietary restrictions your guests may have, mainly if it contains ingredients like soy sauce or nuts. Provide alternative options if necessary.
Nutrition Facts Of General Tso’s Chicken Recipes:
The nutrition facts for General Tso’s Chicken can vary based on the specific recipe and ingredients used.
However, here’s a general overview of the approximate nutritional values for a typical serving of General Tso’s Chicken (around 1 cup or 240 grams):
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 kcal |
| Protein | 25 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 30 grams |
| Fat | 20 grams |
| Sodium | 1200 milligrams |
| Sugar | 25 grams |
It’s worth noting that these values are estimates and can vary depending on factors such as portion size, specific ingredients used, and cooking methods.
Suppose you’re concerned about the nutritional content of your General Tso’s Chicken. In that case, you can adjust the recipe by using chicken of chicken, reducing the amount of sugar or oil in the sauce, or incorporating more vegetables for added nutrition.
Conclusion
General Tso’s Chicken is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences and taste preferences.
Whether you prefer the classic Chicken Knuckle with chicken or want to explore vegetarian, seafood, or beef alternatives, there’s a variation of General Tso’s Chicken to satisfy every palate.
Experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to create your own unique twist on this beloved Chinese-American dish.