Best General Tsos Chicken Restaurant Quality Recipes

GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the Sauce: Add all of the sauce ingredients into a 1-quart (946-ml) 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.
• For the Chicken: Heat the 1 1/2 quarts oil in a 4-quart (3.8-L) 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 11/2 cups (335 g) of the tempura flour and 1 cup (240 ml) water into a thick batter. It should look like thick pancake batter. Dredge the chicken cubes in the remaining 1 cup (223 g) of tempura flour and fry them in two batches until golden brown and crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels or a wire rack.
• Heat a wok or large skillet to high and add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil. When you see the first wisps of white smoke, stir in the fried chicken, onion, chiles and broccoli and cook them for about 30 seconds. 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

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.

5-MINUTE GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place chicken tenders on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until very crispy and golden, about 10 minutes beyond recommended bake time on the package. Reduce heat to 200 degrees F to keep tenders warm until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, fill a medium pot fit with a steamer insert with 1-inch of water. Place over medium-high heat and when water boils, add broccoli and season with salt. Cover, and steam until broccoli is tender, about 8 minutes. Keep warm.
• Place cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, chile flakes, and 3 tablespoons water and whisk to combine. Set aside. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add sesame oil. When shimmering, add garlic and ginger and saute until softened, about 2 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Remove chicken tenders from oven and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the broccoli, sauce, and toss to coat. Serve with white rice on the side, topped with scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

MEAN GUY'S GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, thoroughly blend the 1/2 cup of cornstarch and the eggs; add the chicken and toss to coat.
• If the mixture is too thick, add some vegetable oil to separate the pieces.
• In a small bowl, prepare the sauce mixture by combining the 2 tsp cornstarch with the wine, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.
• First-Stage Frying: Heat 1-2 inches of peanut oil in a wok to medium-high heat (350-400).
• Fry the chicken in small batches, just long enough to cook the chicken through.
• Remove the chicken to absorbent paper and allow to stand (this step can be performed well in advance, along with the sauce mixture, with both refrigerated).
• Second-Stage Frying: Leave a tablespoon or two of the oil in the wok.
• Add the pepper pods to the oil and stir-fry briefly, awakening the aroma but not burning them.
• Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until the pieces are crispy brown.
• The General's Favorite Sauce: Add the sauce-mixture to the wok, tossing over the heat until the sauce caramelizes into a glaze (1-2 minutes).
• Serve immediately.
• Serves 4, along with steamed broccoli and rice.