Print

Easy Crispy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe 30-Minute Dinner Idea

easy crispy general tsos chicken - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe that delivers crispy, golden chicken bites coated in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (optional)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (for sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (slurry)
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Sliced green onions (optional garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten egg, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine if using. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Make the batter: In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Gradually whisk in cold water until smooth and slightly thick.
  3. Heat oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to about 1/4 inch depth. Heat over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 350°F).
  4. Coat and fry chicken: Dip chicken pieces into batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
  5. Prepare sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, chili paste, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. Set aside.
  6. Combine chicken and sauce: Pour out excess oil from skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Return skillet to medium heat, add sauce mixture and bring to simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry slowly until sauce thickens (1-2 minutes). Toss chicken in sauce to coat evenly.
  7. Final touches: Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or vegetables.

Notes

Use cold water in the batter for extra crispiness. Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and soggy crust. Add sauce after frying to keep chicken crispy. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen. For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce and use rice or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. To reheat leftovers, warm chicken in oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: General Tso's Chicken, crispy chicken, quick dinner, Chinese recipe, easy chicken recipe, 30-minute dinner, homemade takeout

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/easy-crispy-general-tsos-chicken-recipe-30-minute-dinner-idea/