Easy General Tso's Chicken
A quick and delicious homemade version of General Tso's Chicken that's better than takeout.
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet For frying the chicken and making the sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 0.25 cup extra light olive oil, for frying
- 2 tbsp minced ginger (from a 2-inch piece of ginger)
- 3 cloves garlic or 1 tbsp grated or finely minced
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
- 1 tsp sesame seeds optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss the chicken in batches with cornstarch, shaking off any excess. Place the dredged chicken on a platter and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce until well combined.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Cook the chicken in 2 to 3 batches, sautéing until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and transfer it to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed. Leave at least 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant—this will enhance the flavor of your dish.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer while stirring. Let it simmer for 1 minute to cook off the vinegar slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust by adding more soy sauce or rice vinegar to taste if desired.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat the chicken thoroughly in the sauce.
- Serve the General Tso's chicken warm, garnished with sesame seeds if desired. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes. For a thicker sauce, increase the amount of cornstarch in the sauce mixture.