Authentic General Tso Chicken Recipe

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1 inch cubes or strips)

6 cups of vegetable oil (for deep frying)

For Marinade

2 tbsp. of soy sauce

1 tbsp. of sugar

1 tbsp. of corn starch

1 tsp. of white pepper

2 drops of sesame oil

For Batter

1 egg

1 cup of corn starch

For Sauce

1/8 cup of spring onions (chopped)

1/8 cup of ginger (grated)

2 tbsp. of red pepper flakes

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

2 tbsp. of soy sauce

2 tbsp. of oyster sauce

3 tbsp. of sugar

1 tbsp. of rice wine

2 tbsp. of white vinegar

1 tbsp. of corn starch

¾ cup of chicken broth (or water)

Directions:

1. For the sauce, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, rice wine, white vinegar and the tablespoon of corn starch in a bowl and set aside.
2. For the marinade, combine the soy sauce, sugar, white pepper, sesame oil, and the tablespoon of corn starch and pour over the chicken in a bowl or zip lock bag. Make sure every piece of chicken is coated with the mixture, then allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Do NOT discard any excess marinade; leave it in the bowl/bag with the chicken.
3. Beat the egg and pour it into the bowl/bag with the marinated chicken.
4. Add the cup of corn starch to the bowl/bag of chicken and mix everything together using your hands or a spoon until no corn starch powder is visible. The chicken should look like it is coated with a light batter.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan
6. Deep fry the chicken for 4-6 minutes. Be sure to fry the chicken in about 2 to 3 batches so that you do not overcrowd the pan
7. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a separate wok/pan.
8. Saute the spring onions, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes for about 30 seconds
9. Stir the sauce mixture and pour it into the wok/pan. Allow the sauce to heat up and thicken (about 3 – 5 minutes)
10. Add the chicken and toss to coat
11. Enjoy!

Tips:

• The chicken can be marinated for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. The longer the chicken is marinated, the better it will taste
• If marinating for more than 2 hours, place the chicken in the refrigerator. Be sure to take it out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes prior to cooking so that it can come down to room temperature.
• Place the sauce in the refrigerator if you intend to marinate the chicken for longer than 2 hours. Be sure to take it out at least 20 minutes prior to cooking so that it can come down to room temperature.
• If you like the General Tso sauce very sweet, add another tablespoon of sugar to the sauce mixture.