How To

How to Make General Tso's Chicken

Contributor
By Bill Herrfeldt
eHow Contributing Writer
(15 Ratings)

Oriental food has become a staple of our diets, and nothing is more popular that General Tso's Chicken. Here is an easy-to-follow recipe for a Chinese dish you can either fix for your family, or reserve for special occasions.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • pepper, to taste (Freshly ground, if possible)
  • ¼ cup Cornstarch, or as needed
  • 3 – 4 cups oil for deep-frying, if frying, or oven preset at 400 degrees
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 3 green onions, finely sliced
  • 5 to 10 small dried red chili peppers or red pepper flakes, according to taste
  1. Step 1

    Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Dip chicken cubes into combination of egg, soy sauce, and pepper, and then coat the chicken with cornstarch. For traditionalists, deep fry chicken cubes, a few pieces at a time, in wok with oil at 360 degrees for about 4 minutes, until brown. For those concerned with calories, place chicken pieces, one at a time on baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown.

  2. Step 2

    Remove chicken, and if deep frying, place on paper towel to absorb extra oil. After baking, simply set chicken aside.

  3. Step 3

    Combine the next ten (10) ingredients in a bowl, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and then set aside. Drain and clean out the wok, if chicken was deep fried. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the deep-fried chicken cubes back into the wok. Stir-fry until the chicken cubes are heated (about 30 seconds).

  4. Step 4

    Push the chicken up to the sides of the wok. Add the sauce and stir it continually for 1 - 2 minutes to thicken.

  5. Step 5

    Mix the sauce with the chicken, making sure the chicken is nicely coated with the sauce. Serve immediately with rice.

Tips & Warnings
  • On special occasions, serve General Tso's chicken with a chilled bottle of Vouvray or a semi-sweet German wine. Follow this dish with ambrosia made with fresh fruit of the season and traditional Chinese almond cookies.
  • Unlike many Chinese dishes that can be prepared ahead of time, General Tso's Chicken should be served as soon is it is completed.

Comments  

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on 7/28/2008 This sounds good. I am gonna have to try this because i love chinese food. Thanks for the article.

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