Mean Guy's General Tso's Chicken

"This is an adoptee. I have made it many many times and want to be able to help people out when they make it! One of the best I've ever had. Takes some time, but oh so worth it. Good eats ;-)"
 
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photo by Ivansocal photo by Ivansocal
photo by Ivansocal
photo by Netta C. photo by Netta C.
photo by Netta C. photo by Netta C.
photo by Shasha photo by Shasha
photo by ncmysteryshopper photo by ncmysteryshopper
Ready In:
40mins
Ingredients:
9
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • 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.

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Reviews

  1. I had read all the reviews before making this and listened to doubling of the sauce and I am so glad I did. This was the most delicious General Tso I have had..it was the perfect blend of flavors. Not too sweet but sweet enough, spicy hot but not overly and not salty at all. I didn't find a problem with any of it. I followed the recipe but as I said I doubled the sauce, I did add in some spring onions, a little garlic and fresh ginger and sprinkled some toasted sesame over the cooked dish. After I did the second stage cooking I took the chicken out of the pan and kept warm and then cooked the sauce till it caramelized then re-added the chicken and mixed then served. This worked out perfectly, with the chicken having a nice crispiness to it. I give this recipe high praises and will do this restaurant quality recipe again. But I too will definitely recommend to anyone making it to double the sauce minimum. Can't wait till I make it again, I served mine with some spring rolls I had made, perfect for a lunch. Thanks Kirstin for adopting this recipe and to keep sharing it.
     
  2. This is the best General Tso recipe out there!!! The taste was marvelous! It tastes so much better than a buffet or what not. I mad a few adjustments though. I used boneless skinless chicken breast instead of thighs.(highly recommended) and I didn’t have any chili pods so I substituted dried red peppers (like the stuff you put on pizza). It turned out beautiful! It was very easy to make as well. This was the first time I’ve made it and I had absolutely no trouble. If you love General Tso chicken YOU’VE GOT TO TRY THIS!!! Mean Chef you’re the king!
     
  3. Been making this for eight years. Nice you "adopted" this recipe so others could enjoy it. I use 1 1/2 lbs of bite-sized chicken breasts. I quadruple the sauce but only use 4 tsps of cornstarch. I also add 1/4 tsp of garlic powder. Instead of chili pods, put 1/4 tsp of pepper flakes in the sauce. When pressed for time, I've done almost all of the steps early in the day or day before. After putting chicken in egg/cornstarch mix, cover and refrigerate. Or after first fry I refrigerated the chicken, as recipe states. Same for the sauce. Chicken will get crispy when doing the second stage frying. I've even cooked the broccoli and rice and refrigerated them. While frying the chicken, the broccoli & rice are microwaved. Doing it this way, I have dinner ready in 30 minutes. I serve the broccoli over the rice, then the chicken.
     
  4. The taste was great. I wasn't sure what type of chile pods to use, so I just picked up the dried New Mexico chiles. I liked it a lot. Now I don't have to go out for Chinese with this recipe.
     
  5. This General's Chicken was the best I've ever had, and I made it! I did substite boneless, skinless chicken breast for the chicken thighs, but otherwise followed it to the letter. I've made serveral versions of this recipe, and this is by far the best. Don't be intimidated by this recipe, it really is fairly easy to put together, and you won't be disappointed!
     
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Tweaks

  1. Added essential garlic and ginger. Added soy sauce to egg mixture. Tomato paste (another essential).
     
  2. I have a MSG and a Gluten/Wheat allergy and havent had General Tso's for over 4 years. I was so excited when I saw this recipe! We had to change it a little because we didn't have all the ingredients on hand and because I wasn't sure if some of them had Gluten in them or not. We used Apple Cider Vinegar instead of the Rice Vinegar. And we didn't have the Rice Wine on hand so we left it out. We had to use Red Pepper flakes because we didn't have the peppers, and we just had to guess how much to use.(In between 1/4 and 1/2 tsp.) The first time I made it I used Chicken Thighs and the second time I used breasts. It is much better with the Thighs. It fries up Crispier and has more flavor. We bought the Chili peppers at the store and the Rice Vinegar, so we will be ready the next time we make this, but it was great with the substitutes too. Thanks for a great and easy recipe!
     
  3. Awesome!! Better than the restaurant. My whole family loved this. It was so great to actually cook something that was like you would have in a restaurant. I subbed Sherry wine for the rice wine and it was just amazing.
     
  4. Omg! This is going to be a favorite in my household. I don't eat meat so I used a soy based "chicken" and it was amazing!!! Only thing I changed was I added alittle fresh garlic and ginger to the sauce. I also used red pepper flakes instead of chili pods. Seriously this is perfect.
     
  5. Of the different General Tso's Chicken recipes I have tried, this is the best by far. It is simply constructed using few ingredients, and comes out fabulously each time I make it without fail! I do use chicken breast instead of thighs and red pepper flakes are just the thing to use instead of the chili pods if you don't have the latter. My FIL, who loves this dish at Chinese restaurants, says mine is the best he's ever tasted. Five stars!!
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am living with the most wonderful boyfriend in the world in his 150 year old farmhouse. I also have a most fabulous 16-year old son! I love to cook - it's a major stress reliever for me and I thoroughly enjoy the reaction of others when they like my dishes! My other passion is sailing - BF and I plan to take off from Oregon toward the South Pacific in a couple years to live on his boat.
 
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