Description
How to make crispy General Tso’s chicken with sweet and tangy sauce that’s better than restaurant takeout and ready in just 30 minutes at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
General Tso’s Sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
For Cooking and Garnish
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Cut chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces and pat completely dry with paper towels. Wet chicken won’t get crispy, so this step is crucial for success.
- Make Coating: Whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg until smooth and frothy for maximum coating power.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece in beaten egg, then dredge in cornstarch mixture, pressing gently to help coating adhere. Set coated pieces on a plate temporarily.
- Heat Oil: Heat oil in a heavy pot to 350°F using a thermometer. The oil is ready when a pinch of flour sizzles immediately upon contact.
- Fry Chicken: Fry chicken in small batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pot or temperature will drop significantly.
- Make Sauce: While chicken fries, whisk all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Combine and Serve: Toss hot fried chicken with warm sauce until evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately while still crispy and aromatic.
Notes
- Don’t skip patting chicken dry – wet chicken won’t get crispy coating.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best results and food safety.
- Sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored refrigerated.
- Double-fry for extra crispiness if you have time and patience.
- Serve immediately after tossing with sauce for optimal texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your family’s spice preference.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Soy, Eggs
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 28g