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The Best General Tso's Chicken Recipe

by J. Kenji López-Alt
dinnerNULL
Yield: 4 servingsPrep: 15 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 45 minutes
Source: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/04/the-best-general-tsos-chicken-food-lab-chinese-recipe.html

Ingredients

produce
  • 2scallions(white and light green parts only, thinly sliced)
  • dried whole red chiles(dried whole)
  • 2 tablespoonginger(minced, fresh)
  • 2 tablespoongarlic(minced, fresh)
protein
  • 1egg white(large)
  • 1 1/2 poundschicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks)
grain
  • 1/2 cupall-purpose flour
pantry staple
  • 1 tablespoonsesame oil(toasted)
  • 1/2 cupcornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoonbaking powder
  • 1 teaspoonsalt(kosher)
  • 1/4 cupvegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoonsoy sauce
  • 2 teaspooncornstarch(mixed with 2 teaspoons water)
  • 1/4 cupsoy sauce
  • 1/2 cupchicken stock
  • 1/4 cuprice vinegar
  • 1/4 cupsugar
other
  • 1 tablespoonvodka
  • 1/4 cupwater

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken, soy sauce, vodka, and egg white in a large bowl and mix until chicken is well coated.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and water to form a batter.
  3. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Dip chicken pieces in the batter and fry in batches until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. In the same wok, add dried chiles, ginger, and garlic and cook until fragrant.
  6. Add chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Bring to a boil.
  7. Add cornstarch mixture and cook until sauce thickens.
  8. Add the fried chicken and toss to coat with the sauce.
  9. Garnish with scallions before serving.

My notes

For extra heat, add more dried chiles to the sauce.