**General Tso's Chicken: A Culinary Journey Through History and Flavor**
General Tso's chicken, a beloved dish that has captivated taste buds worldwide, is a culinary masterpiece that harmoniously blends the essence of Chinese and American flavors. This tantalizing dish, boasting a delectable crispy coating enveloping tender chicken morsels, is adorned with a luscious sauce that tantalizes the palate with its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes. Embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the intriguing history and unveil the secrets behind this iconic dish, along with presenting a diverse collection of enticing General Tso's chicken recipes that cater to every preference and skill level. From the classic rendition to innovative variations featuring unique ingredients and cooking techniques, this article offers a treasure trove of culinary delights, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
There's been a lot of rumor about the origins of this dish; I'll let others fight it out and just focus on its deliciousness! I think that the human palate is drawn to the combination of savory, sour, sweet, salty and spicy. I think that's why we all love this dish. There's a huge difference between the popular sambal oelek and Chinese chili garlic sauce. Sambal is very easy to find but it's twice as hot as chili garlic. So, if you are using sambal, use half the amount.
Provided by Jet Tila
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For the chicken: Place your broccoli florets in a medium bowl and add 2 tablespoons water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 2 minutes, until tender. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
- Heat the oil in a 4-quart (3.8-liter) Dutch oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) using a frying thermometer. Rinse the chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Mix 1 1/2 cups (335 grams) of the tempura flour and 1 cup (240 milliliters) water into a thick batter. It should look like thick pancake batter. Dredge the chicken cubes in the 1 cup (223 grams) of tempura flour and then coat them in the batter. Fry them in two batches until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels or a rack.
- Heat a wok or large skillet to high and add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of oil. When you see the first wisps of white smoke, stir in the fried chicken, onion, chiles, broccoli, and 1/3 of the ginger and garlic and cook them for about 30 seconds.
- For the sauce: While the chicken cooks, add the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch slurry, red food coloring if using, 1/3 cup water and the remaining chopped ginger and garlic into a 1-quart (946-millileter) saucepan and bring the heat up to medium. Whisk gently as it comes to a simmer. Allow it to simmer and keep whisking it for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and reserve it.
- Stir in the sauce and allow it to coat the chicken and simmer. Cook it, folding all the ingredients until they are well coated, about 2 minutes. Garnish with the scallions.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Recipe video above. That perfect combination of sweet, savoury, spicy and tangy with crispy Chinese chicken bites. This is a Chinese takeout favourite that pushes all the right buttons!
Provided by Nagi
Categories Mains Stir Fries
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Sauce-Marinade: Mix the soy, hoisin, vinegar, chilli and sesame oil.
- Marinate Chicken: Take out 2 tablespoons of Sauce-Marinade and mix with chicken. Add ginger and garlic to chicken, mix, then marinate 30 minutes.
- Dust chicken: Add cornflour into chicken and toss to coat, ensuring pieces are separated so they get fully coated.
- Shake off excess: Tip into a colander and shake to remove excess cornflour (or grab handfuls, shake so cornflour falls through your fingers).
- Finish Sauce: To the remaining Sauce-Marinade (that you made in Step 1), add sugar and cornflour. Mix, then add chicken stock and mix.
- Heat oil: Heat 2 cm / 4/5" oil in a deep skillet (or large pot - whatever you're comfortable with) to 200°C/390°F. To use less, see Note 4.
- Fry: Cook chicken 3 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towel lined plate.
- New / clean skillet: Discard oil, wipe skillet and return to heat. Or use another large skillet.
- Stir Fry Sauce: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, chilli flakes, saute 30 seconds until garlic is light golden. Add Sauce, bring to simmer and stir occasionally until it thickens enough that you can draw a path across pan base.
- Toss! Add chicken, toss to coat quickly - the quicker you are, the crispier the chicken stays! Transfer to serving plate, garnish and serve immediately with your rice of choice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 465 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Cholesterol 143 mg, Sodium 974 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN RECIPE
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout go-to. Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!
Provided by Natalya Drozhzhin
Categories Easy
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss each piece with cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a separate dish, combine all the ingredients for your sauce together.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet with oil. Cook each chicken piece until all the sides are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan. Leave about 1 tbsp of oil in the pan for cooking.
- Add the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Sautee for about 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer then add the chicken and toss to coat. Serve right away!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 977 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GENERAL TSAO'S CHICKEN
An Asian chicken recipe without the typical oriental taste. This recipe was voted one of the top 10 dishes in Columbus by Columbus Monthly Magazine, as prepared by Chef Paul Kaewprasart of the Siam Oriental Restaurant. I modified it slightly, and it goes great over white rice as a main dish for any number of people.
Provided by Chuck Cade
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- To Make Sauce: In a large bowl combine 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Mix together. Add garlic, ginger, sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce and white wine vinegar. Then add chicken broth and monosodium glutamate and stir all together until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until needed.
- To Prepare Chicken: In a separate bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 cup soy sauce and white pepper. Stir in egg. Add 1 cup cornstarch and stir until chicken is evenly coated. Add oil to help separate chicken pieces. Divide chicken into small quantities and deep fry at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- To Make Mixture: Place a small amount of oil in wok and heat until wok is hot. Add scallions and dried chile peppers and stir-fry briefly. Remove sauce from refrigerator and stir. Add sauce to wok. Then add fried chicken and cook until sauce thickens (add cornstarch or water as needed until sauce is as thick as you like it).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 841.5 calories, Carbohydrate 60.7 g, Cholesterol 162.8 mg, Fat 40.5 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 56.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 2056.6 mg, Sugar 26.4 g
GENERAL TSAO'S CHICKEN II
A genuinely mouthwatering dish with an Asian kick that will knock your chopsticks off! Don't be fooled by other General Tsao impostors: this is simply the best Chinese chicken you will ever have. With a flair of peanut oil, a streak of sesame, a dash of orange, and a sweet spot for hot, this is sure to be a favorite. Just don't forget to deep-fry twice! Serve with steamed broccoli and white rice.
Provided by ChefDaddy
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Beat the egg in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken cubes; sprinkle with salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and white pepper; mix well. Mix in 1 cup of cornstarch a little bit at a time until the chicken cubes are well coated.
- In batches, carefully drop the chicken cubes into the hot oil one by one, cooking until they turns golden brown and begin to float, about 3 minutes. Remove the chicken and allow to cool as you fry the next batch. Once all of the chicken has been fried, refry the chicken, starting with the batch that was cooked first. Cook until the chicken turns deep golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in the green onion, garlic, whole chiles, and orange zest. Cook and stir a minute or two until the garlic has turned golden and the chiles brighten. Add 1/2 cup sugar, the ginger, chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and peanut oil; bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.
- Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the water, and stir into the boiling sauce. Return to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens and is no longer cloudy from the cornstarch, about 1 minute. Stir the chicken into the boiling sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for a few minutes until the chicken absorbs some of the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 633.5 calories, Carbohydrate 54.9 g, Cholesterol 101.1 mg, Fat 36.5 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 24.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 1191.6 mg, Sugar 17.7 g
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: vegetable oil, rice wine, soy sauce, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, flour, salt, vegetable oil, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, dried chili pod, rice wine, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, water, green onion, white rice
Provided by Michael Price
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup rice wine (240 ml), ¼ cup (60 ml) of soy sauce, and cubed chicken thighs. Stir and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.
- In a separate large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour (125 g) and 1 tablespoon of salt.
- Remove chicken from wine/soy marinade and place in flour mixture. Mix thoroughly, until all the chicken pieces are coated.
- Fill a dutch oven or large pot at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep with vegetable oil. Heat oil to 365˚F (185˚C). Place chicken pieces in frying oil, stirring occasionally. Fry until they are golden brown, roughly 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken from oil and set aside to drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
- In a large skillet, bring one tablespoon of vegetable oil to medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, stirring frequently for one minute.
- Add dried chili pods. Continue stirring for 30 seconds before adding rice wine, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sugar. Stir occasionally until mixture is bubbling.
- Add cornstarch slurry, stirring frequently. The sauce should begin to thicken in a minute or less.
- Add cooked chicken pieces, stirring them to coat with the sauce.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions and rice.
- Nutrition Calories: 4192 Fat: 434 grams Carbs: 55 grams Fiber: 3 grams Sugars: 18 grams Protein: 33 grams
- Enjoy!
EASY GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Get all the flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant in the comfort of your own kitchen with this quick budget-friendly recipe.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In small bowl, mix chili garlic sauce, sugar and vinegar; set aside. In large bowl, mix flour and cornstarch with whisk; set aside.
- In medium bowl, beat egg white and soy sauce. Add chicken; toss to coat. Transfer chicken a few pieces at a time to bowl with flour mixture; toss to coat, then transfer to plate. Discard any leftover extra egg mixture and flour mixture.
- In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken to skillet; cook 6 to 7 minutes, turning once, until chicken is crispy and browned on outside. If pieces of chicken stick together, break apart with spatula.
- Add broccoli to skillet; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until broccoli is softened and browned on edges, and chicken is no longer pink in center. Add chili garlic sauce mixture to pan; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer, stirring until mixture is thoroughly coated. Stir in green onions.
- Divide rice among 4 bowls. Divide chicken mixture over rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 370, Carbohydrate 48 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 670 mg, Sugar 12 g, TransFat 0 g
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Invented in 1950s Taiwan by chef Peng Chang-Kuei, this crowd-pleasing fried chicken dish was adapted for American palates with a chile-spiked sweet-and-sour sauce and has since become a Chinese takeout classic.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Thighs
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Combine chicken, egg white, soy sauce, wine, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Whisk together cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in another bowl. Let stand while making sauce.
- Make the sauce: Whisk soy sauce into cornstarch. Then whisk in wine, sugar, vinegar, and broth.
- Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a deep pot (preferably cast-iron) to 350 degrees. Working in batches, remove chicken from marinade (do not worry about removing excess liquid) and toss in cornstarch mixture. Carefully add to oil and cook until crisp and light golden brown, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok over medium. Add chiles, garlic, ginger, and scallion whites. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in sauce mixture and bring to a boil. Add chicken and toss to coat in sauce. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil. Garnish with scallion greens and serve immediately with broccoli and rice.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 1 to 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring oil to between 350 and 375 degrees F. Cut chicken into chunks, then mix together with cornstarch. Fry in oil.
- For the sauce: Mix together soy sauce, sugar, hoisin, vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, chili flakes and 1/2 cup water. Toss fried chicken in sauce, then serve.
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
A favourite dish in Chinese restaurants, try making your own General Tso's chicken. It looks complicated but get all the components ready and it's quite easy
Provided by Diana Henry
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 40m
Yield Serves 4 along with other dishes
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- For the chicken, mix the egg white with the potato flour in a bowl, then add the soy sauce, Shaohsing wine (or sherry) and the chicken. Turn the chicken over to coat it.
- For the sauce, mix together the tomato purée, 2-3 tbsp water, potato flour, soy sauces, rice vinegar, sugar and Shaohsing wine and set this aside. Snip the chillies into 5cm lengths, discarding the seeds.
- Heat the oil in a wok and cook the garlic, ginger and chillies over a medium heat until they're aromatic and beginning to soften, but not brown.
- Mix the cornflour and plain flour for the coating with salt and pepper and tip into a broad shallow bowl. Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dip it in the flour mix and set the pieces onto a tray.
- Pour enough oil into a deep pan to come 8cm up the sides. Heat until it reaches 200C (if you drop in a test piece of chicken, it should sizzle straight away). Carefully add half the chicken pieces and fry until they're crisp and golden - agitating the pieces to make sure they don't stick together - about 4 mins. Lift the pieces out with a slotted spoon onto a double layer of kitchen paper. Repeat with the rest of the chicken.
- Heat the wok, add the sauce mixture to the garlic, ginger and chillies in there and cook, stirring, until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Add the chicken and half the spring onions and warm everything through. Serve with the sesame seeds and the rest of the spring onions scattered on top. This doesn't give you huge servings so it's best to offer another dish with it, as well as boiled rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 34 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 30 grams protein, Sodium 3.1 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and utensils ready. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling.
- Use a large skillet or wok: This will give you plenty of room to stir-fry the chicken and vegetables without overcrowding the pan.
- Use a high heat: Stir-frying is a quick-cooking method, so you need to use a high heat to get the chicken and vegetables cooked through quickly.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken and vegetables will steam instead of fry. Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary.
- Stir constantly: Stirring constantly will help prevent the chicken and vegetables from sticking to the pan and burning.
- Use a cornstarch slurry: A cornstarch slurry will help thicken the sauce and make it glossy.
- Serve immediately: General Tso's chicken is best served immediately after it is cooked. The chicken will become tough if it sits for too long.
Conclusion:
General Tso's chicken is a delicious and popular dish that is easy to make at home. By following these tips, you can make a General Tso's chicken that is just as good as the ones you get from your favorite Chinese restaurant. So next time you're in the mood for a takeout meal, try making General Tso's chicken at home. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love