Crispy General Tso's Chicken Delight
Transform your kitchen into a Chinese takeout haven with this delectable Crispy General Tso's Chicken Delight! This homemade version of the beloved dish features tender chicken thighs marinated in a savory blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, then perfectly fried until golden brown. Tossed in a rich and tangy sweet chili sauce, each bite is a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Not only will you save money compared to dining out, but you'll also impress your family or guests with your culinary skills. Treat yourself to this mouthwatering meal any day of the week!
2
Servings
750
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb (cut into 1 inch pieces)
garlic cloves
2 (minced fine)
fresh ginger
3 teaspoons (minced)
light soy sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon (none)
sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
all-purpose flour
1 cup (none)
cornstarch
3 tablespoons (none)
eggs
2 (beaten)
sambal oelek chili paste
2 tablespoons (none)
soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
fish sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon (none)
sugar
2-3 teaspoons (to taste)
seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons (none)
sweet chili sauce
10 ounces (none)
vegetable oil
2 cups (for frying)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and placing them in an airtight container.
2
Mince the garlic and fresh ginger, then add them to the container with the chicken.
3
Pour in the light soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper. Mix well to combine, making sure all pieces are coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
4
In a resealable bag, combine all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Seal the bag and shake well to mix thoroughly.
5
In a separate shallow dish, beat the eggs until well combined.
6
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining minced garlic, ginger, sambal oelek chili paste, sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sweet chili sauce to create the sauce mixture. Set this aside.
7
In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil to approximately 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature for frying. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
8
Take each marinated chicken piece, dip it into the beaten eggs letting any excess drip off, and then dredge it in the flour and cornstarch mixture, shaking off any extra flour.
9
Carefully drop the coated chicken into the hot oil in batches, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry until each piece is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
10
Once all the chicken is fried, return the sauce mixture to a pan and heat it slowly over medium heat until warmed through.
11
Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan with the sauce, gently tossing to coat each piece evenly.
12
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Crispy General Tso's Chicken Delight!
Nutrition Information
35
Fat
90
Carbs
30
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy General Tso's Chicken Delight?
It is a homemade version of the popular Chinese takeout dish featuring fried chicken thighs tossed in a tangy sweet chili sauce.
What cut of chicken should I use?
The recipe specifies 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces for the best flavor and tenderness.
How long should the chicken marinate?
You should marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, though it can be left for up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
What ingredients are in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of minced garlic, fresh ginger, light soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper.
How is the chicken coated for frying?
The chicken is first dipped in beaten eggs and then dredged in a mixture of all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
What is the ideal temperature for frying the chicken?
The vegetable oil should be heated to approximately 350°F (175°C) to ensure the chicken fries properly.
How long does it take to fry the chicken?
Fry the chicken in batches for approximately 4-5 minutes until each piece is golden brown and cooked through.
What components make up the General Tso sauce?
The sauce is a blend of garlic, ginger, sambal oelek chili paste, sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sweet chili sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What are the nutritional facts for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 750 calories, 35g of fat, 90g of carbohydrates, and 30g of protein.
Why is cornstarch used in the breading?
Cornstarch is combined with flour to create a light and extra crispy texture when the chicken is fried.
What type of oil is recommended for frying?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of vegetable oil for frying the chicken.
How do I prepare the garlic and ginger?
The garlic should be minced fine and the fresh ginger should be minced before being used in both the marinade and the sauce.
What is the purpose of sambal oelek in this recipe?
Sambal oelek is a chili paste that adds heat and spice to the General Tso sauce.
How should the sauce be heated?
The sauce mixture should be returned to a pan and heated slowly over medium heat until it is warmed through before adding the chicken.
Should I use a specific type of soy sauce?
The recipe utilizes both light soy sauce for the marinade and regular soy sauce for the main sauce mixture.
Can I substitute the chicken thighs with breast?
While the recipe calls for thighs for moisture, you can use chicken breast if preferred, though it may be slightly less tender.
Is fish sauce necessary for this recipe?
Yes, fish sauce is used in the sauce mixture to provide a savory, umami depth that complements the sweetness.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming soggy?
After frying, remove the chicken and drain it on paper towels before tossing it in the sauce to maintain its crispiness.
What type of vinegar is used in the sauce?
The recipe requires seasoned rice wine vinegar to provide the necessary acidity.
Why shouldn't I overcrowd the pan while frying?
Overcrowding the pan can drop the oil temperature, leading to greasy chicken rather than a crispy, golden brown exterior.
How much sweet chili sauce is used?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of sweet chili sauce as the primary base for the coating.
Is there toasted sesame oil in the sauce?
Yes, toasted sesame oil is used in both the marinade and the sauce mixture for its nutty aroma.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
The recipe suggests adding 2-3 teaspoons of sugar to the sauce mixture, which can be adjusted to your personal taste.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 18 ingredients listed for this Crispy General Tso's Chicken recipe.
Is black pepper included in the seasoning?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of black pepper is added to the chicken marinade.
How many eggs are needed for the coating process?
The recipe requires 2 eggs, which should be beaten until well combined.
Can this be prepared as a quick weeknight meal?
While it requires at least an hour of marinating, the actual cooking process is relatively fast, making it a great option for any day of the week.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
With 2 tablespoons of sambal oelek, it has a noticeable heat that is balanced by the sweetness of the chili sauce and sugar.
What tags are associated with this dish?
It is tagged as general tso's chicken, crispy chicken, homemade, chinese takeout, chicken recipe, kung pao, asian cuisine, and comfort food.