General Tso’s Chicken – crispy, sticky, sweet-spicy perfection. Better than takeout and way easier than you think.
One of the most well-known Chinese-American dishes, General Tso’s chicken is now a must-have at many restaurants across the US. But have you ever thought about what’s in that tasty, sweet and spicy sauce that covers the fried chicken? Let’s find out what this famous dish is made of.
A Sweet and Tangy Sauce
The hallmark of General Tso’s chicken is the sauce—a sticky, glossy mixture that provides a perfect balance of savory, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It coats lightly fried chicken pieces, transforming them into a flavorful, saucy delight
The base of the sauce is typically made by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce or dried red chilies, sugar, chicken stock, sesame oil, and corn starch Here’s a breakdown of how each ingredient contributes to the overall flavor profile
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Soy sauce adds a savory, salty flavor as well as that distinctive umami taste. It provides the bulk of the sauce’s savory notes.
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Rice vinegar gives the sauce a bright sourness and tanginess to balance out the sweetness. It adds a hit of acidity.
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Hoisin sauce provides sweetness, while also contributing body and thickness.
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Chili garlic sauce or dried red chilies bring heat and a hint of chili flavor. Adjust quantities to control spiciness.
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Sugar enhances the sweetness of the hoisin and balances the acidity of the vinegar. It makes the sauce sticky.
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Chicken stock amplifies the savory flavor and prevents the sauce from being overly cloying.
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Sesame oil adds a lovely aromatic nuttiness.
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Corn starch thickens the sauce into that sweet, clingy glaze.
Various chefs add their own twists, but these tend to be the core elements that produce the classic General Tso’s sauce flavor.
Crispy, Craggy Fried Chicken
Of course, a good General Tso’s chicken isn’t complete without crispy, crunchy chicken pieces coated in the sauce. To achieve this texture, the chicken is typically marinated, battered, then fried until golden brown and cooked through.
The marinade helps flavor and tenderize the chicken. A basic marinade might contain soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, cornstarch, and baking soda. Eggs are sometimes worked into the marinade as well for added moisture and binding power.
The chicken is tossed in a dry batter after being marinated. The batter gives the food a crunchy, craggy top and usually has flour and cornstarch in it to make it crunch and brown. Baking powder helps further amplify the crispness. Vodka is also sometimes mixed into the batter because its high volatility makes the crust very crunchy.
The chicken is then fried over high heat, creating a light, crackly outside that surrounds the juicy, tender chicken inside. If you do it right, the crust should stay crunchy even when you pour sauce on top of it.
Custom Additions and Substitutions
Cooks often change the basic ingredients of General Tso’s chicken by adding other things. Popular options include:
- Diced vegetables like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers
- Garlic, ginger – Extra aromatics
- Scallions – For flavor and color
- Water chestnuts – For crunch
- Cashews – For nuttiness
The chicken can also be substituted with tofu or vegetables to make vegetarian or vegan versions. And for those looking to reduce carbs, it’s delicious served over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
An Iconic Chinese-American Creation
While the origins are murky, it has become iconic comfort food for Americans across the country. Unlocking the secrets of how it achieves that crave-worthy flavor and texture allows home cooks to recreate this takeout classic in their own kitchens.
So the next time you enjoy a plate of General Tso’s chicken, you can appreciate all the elements that come together to create this unique and irresistible dish. The complex sauce, the crunchy batter technique, and the incorporation of various vegetables and aromatics – that’s the magic behind one of America’s favorite Chinese dishes.
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Can I make this ahead of time?
Kind of. You can prep everything ahead, marinate the chicken, mix the sauce, even coat the chicken in cornstarch and refrigerate it for a few hours. But don’t fry the chicken or toss it in the sauce until just before serving. That’s when it’s at its crispy, sticky best.
How spicy is it?
As spicy as you want it to be. The recipe starts with 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which gives you a nice kick but won’t blow your head off. If you’re heat-sensitive, start with half. If you like to sweat a little while you eat, crank it up. No judgment either way.
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken – Only 4 Ingredients! Perfect for Beginners
FAQ
What is General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish consisting of deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce. The sauce typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, creating a complex flavor profile that is both appealing and distinctive.
Is General Tso chicken healthy?
General Tso’s Chicken is not generally considered a healthy dish. It is typically high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. The deep-fried chicken contributes significantly to its high-fat content, while the sweet and savory sauce often contains substantial amounts of sugar and sodium.
Is General Tso’s chicken a traditional Hunanese dish?
General Tso’s Chicken is often associated with Hunan cuisine, as both General Zuo and Chef Peng were from Hunan province. However, it’s important to understand that General Tso’s Chicken is not a traditional Hunanese dish.
Is General Tso Chicken Spicy?
Traditional Hunanese food is known for its spiciness, use of fresh chili peppers, and bold flavors. General Tso’s Chicken, especially the Americanized version, is often sweeter and less spicy than authentic Hunanese dishes.
What goes well with General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s Chicken is commonly served with steamed white rice, which helps balance the richness of the dish. Some restaurants also offer variations that include vegetables, such as broccoli or bell peppers, providing a refreshing and nutritious accompaniment to the chicken.
Why is General Tso’s chicken so popular?
Many Chinese-American food lovers love General Tso’s Chicken because it has just the right amount of flavors and textures. In addition to its delicious taste, General Tso’s Chicken has also gained popularity due to its widespread availability.
What ingredients are in General Tso’s chicken?
To make General Tso’s chicken, you need chicken thighs or breasts, cornstarch, flour, eggs, and a sauce made of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers.
What kind of peppers are in General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s chicken typically features dried red chili peppers in the sauce. These peppers, often Tien Tsin chilies, contribute to the dish’s characteristic spicy and slightly sweet flavor profile. Even though they can be very spicy, they are usually taken off before serving or used in small amounts to control how spicy something is.
What is the closest thing to General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s chicken shares similarities with several other Chinese-American dishes, particularly orange chicken and sesame chicken. They all feature battered and fried chicken in a sweet and savory sauce.
What makes General Tso’s chicken spicy?