General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's Chicken is very popular in American restaurants.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions (optional)

Sauce

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
• 3/4 cup lchicken broth
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Chicken

1. Place the eggs in a bowl; add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Mix together the flour and cornstarch and place in a shallow bowl.
3. Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees F.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then roll in the flour mixture. Repeat the process for all of the chicken pieces.
5. Fry 8 to 9 pieces of chicken at a time for 5 minutes or until browned. Repeat with all the remaining chicken.
6. While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce.

Sauce

1. Heat the 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Whisk together the chicken broth, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce and ornstarch.
3. Add the liquid mixture to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
4. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
5. Transfer to serving plate and garnish with sesame seeds and/or sliced green onions, if desired. Serve immediately over hot, cooked rice.

Attribution

Photo credit: 76799278@N02 / CC BY