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–+ servings
General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso's Chicken Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes

This General Tso's Chicken recipe is a quick, homemade solution better than takeout, featuring crispy chicken and a flavorful sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Chicken Breasts Cut into cubes for even cooking
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch for a gluten-free option
For the Breading
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika Adds color and mild flavor
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt Regular salt mixed with garlic powder works as an alternative
For the Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Sugar Feel free to use brown sugar for a richer taste
  • 1/4 cup Water or chicken broth for extra flavor
  • 1/4 cup White Distilled Vinegar Apple cider vinegar can be used if needed
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Kosher or sea salt are great choices
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce Opt for gluten-free soy sauce if desired
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Pepper Flakes Optional, adjust or omit for your preferred spice level

Equipment

  • Large frying pan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • tongs

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for General Tso’s Chicken
  1. Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, ensuring they are even for uniform cooking. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly coat the chicken pieces with all-purpose flour or cornstarch.
  2. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F. Carefully add the coated chicken in batches, frying them for about 5-7 minutes or until they turn a golden brown and crispy.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, water, white distilled vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and optional red chili pepper flakes to taste. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
  4. Once all the chicken is fried and resting, pour the prepared sauce into the frying pan over medium heat. Stir the chicken into the sauce until it's evenly coated.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the chicken simmer uncovered for about 12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Serve the General Tso's Chicken hot over rice or with steamed broccoli, garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For optimal texture, reheat in a skillet.

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