General Tso's Chicken

60 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Cut chicken into approximately 2-inch chunks.
  2. 2Cut chicken into approximately 2-inch chunks.
  3. 3Cut chicken into approximately 2-inch chunks.
  4. 4Combine 2 egg whites, 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, and 3 Tbsp vodka; beat until frothy.
  5. 5Combine 2 egg whites, 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, and 3 Tbsp vodka; beat until frothy.
  6. 6Combine 2 egg whites, 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, and 3 Tbsp vodka; beat until frothy.
  7. 7Pour out about half of the frothy mixture into another bowl and set aside for later.
  8. 8Pour out about half of the frothy mixture into another bowl and set aside for later.
  9. 9Pour out about half of the frothy mixture into another bowl and set aside for later.
  10. 10To the remaining half of the mixture, add 3 Tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp baking soda; whisk until no lumps remain.
  11. 11To the remaining half of the mixture, add 3 Tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp baking soda; whisk until no lumps remain.
  12. 12To the remaining half of the mixture, add 3 Tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp baking soda; whisk until no lumps remain.
  13. 13Add the chicken chunks to this marinade and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  14. 14Add the chicken chunks to this marinade and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  15. 15Add the chicken chunks to this marinade and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  16. 16In a large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornstarch, a little salt, Benefiber, and 1 tsp baking powder; whisk together.
  17. 17In a large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornstarch, a little salt, Benefiber, and 1 tsp baking powder; whisk together.
  18. 18In a large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornstarch, a little salt, Benefiber, and 1 tsp baking powder; whisk together.
  19. 19Re-whip the reserved marinade until very frothy again.
  20. 20Re-whip the reserved marinade until very frothy again.
  21. 21Re-whip the reserved marinade until very frothy again.
  22. 22Add about half of the re-whipped marinade to the dry breading mixture and whisk until nice clumps form.
  23. 23Add about half of the re-whipped marinade to the dry breading mixture and whisk until nice clumps form.
  24. 24Add about half of the re-whipped marinade to the dry breading mixture and whisk until nice clumps form.
  25. 25Shake off excess moisture from the marinated chicken and drop it into the breading mixture.
  26. 26Shake off excess moisture from the marinated chicken and drop it into the breading mixture.
  27. 27Shake off excess moisture from the marinated chicken and drop it into the breading mixture.
  28. 28Toss the chicken in the breading using a large bowl until evenly coated.
  29. 29Toss the chicken in the breading using a large bowl until evenly coated.
  30. 30Toss the chicken in the breading using a large bowl until evenly coated.
  31. 31Heat about a quart of oil in a wok to 375°F for shallow frying.
  32. 32Heat about a quart of oil in a wok to 375°F for shallow frying.
  33. 33Heat about a quart of oil in a wok to 375°F for shallow frying.
  34. 34Carefully drop the breaded chicken into the hot oil, avoiding splashes.
  35. 35Carefully drop the breaded chicken into the hot oil, avoiding splashes.
  36. 36Carefully drop the breaded chicken into the hot oil, avoiding splashes.
  37. 37Fry the chicken in batches, maintaining a high oil temperature, until cooked through and crispy.
  38. 38Fry the chicken in batches, maintaining a high oil temperature, until cooked through and crispy.
  39. 39Fry the chicken in batches, maintaining a high oil temperature, until cooked through and crispy.
  40. 40Drain the fried chicken by initially placing it on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet half-covered with paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  41. 41Drain the fried chicken by initially placing it on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet half-covered with paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  42. 42Drain the fried chicken by initially placing it on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet half-covered with paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  43. 43Once oil is absorbed, move the chicken to the uncovered part of the rack to maintain crispiness.
  44. 44Once oil is absorbed, move the chicken to the uncovered part of the rack to maintain crispiness.
  45. 45Once oil is absorbed, move the chicken to the uncovered part of the rack to maintain crispiness.
  46. 46Keep the fried chicken warm and crispy in a low 200°F oven until ready to serve.
  47. 47Keep the fried chicken warm and crispy in a low 200°F oven until ready to serve.
  48. 48Keep the fried chicken warm and crispy in a low 200°F oven until ready to serve.
  49. 49Prepare orange peel by getting nice big swaths of pithless rind and slicing them comically thinly into tiny strips.
  50. 50Prepare orange peel by getting nice big swaths of pithless rind and slicing them comically thinly into tiny strips.
  51. 51Prepare orange peel by getting nice big swaths of pithless rind and slicing them comically thinly into tiny strips.
  52. 52Peel and grate 4 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of frozen ginger.
  53. 53Peel and grate 4 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of frozen ginger.
  54. 54Peel and grate 4 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of frozen ginger.
  55. 55In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar, 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame oil, 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 4 Tbsp chicken stock, 3 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp hoisin sauce, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch; whisk well.
  56. 56In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar, 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame oil, 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 4 Tbsp chicken stock, 3 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp hoisin sauce, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch; whisk well.
  57. 57In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar, 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame oil, 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 4 Tbsp chicken stock, 3 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp hoisin sauce, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch; whisk well.
  58. 58Taste the sauce and add about 1 Tbsp of plain sugar if more sweetness is desired.
  59. 59Taste the sauce and add about 1 Tbsp of plain sugar if more sweetness is desired.
  60. 60Taste the sauce and add about 1 Tbsp of plain sugar if more sweetness is desired.
  61. 61Heat 1-2 Tbsp of the deep-fry oil in the wok.
  62. 62Heat 1-2 Tbsp of the deep-fry oil in the wok.
  63. 63Heat 1-2 Tbsp of the deep-fry oil in the wok.
  64. 64Grate the frozen ginger directly into the hot oil.
  65. 65Grate the frozen ginger directly into the hot oil.
  66. 66Grate the frozen ginger directly into the hot oil.
  67. 67Crush 4 cloves of garlic into the wok.
  68. 68Crush 4 cloves of garlic into the wok.
  69. 69Crush 4 cloves of garlic into the wok.
  70. 70Add chili stir or dried Chinese chilies and orange peel to the wok; mix and let them get some nice dry heat.
  71. 71Add chili stir or dried Chinese chilies and orange peel to the wok; mix and let them get some nice dry heat.
  72. 72Add chili stir or dried Chinese chilies and orange peel to the wok; mix and let them get some nice dry heat.
  73. 73Add scallion whites to the wok and toss around.
  74. 74Add scallion whites to the wok and toss around.
  75. 75Add scallion whites to the wok and toss around.
  76. 76Add the pre-combined liquid sauce mixture to the wok; it should start to thicken immediately.
  77. 77Add the pre-combined liquid sauce mixture to the wok; it should start to thicken immediately.
  78. 78Add the pre-combined liquid sauce mixture to the wok; it should start to thicken immediately.
  79. 79Slice scallion greens on the bias and add a bunch to the sauce.
  80. 80Slice scallion greens on the bias and add a bunch to the sauce.
  81. 81Slice scallion greens on the bias and add a bunch to the sauce.
  82. 82Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss carefully to coat.
  83. 83Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss carefully to coat.
  84. 84Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss carefully to coat.
  85. 85Garnish with plenty of scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds.
  86. 86Garnish with plenty of scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds.
  87. 87Garnish with plenty of scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds.
  88. 88For the easier version, combine ground chicken with 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 1 tsp rice wine vinegar, and some garlic powder; mix it up.
  89. 89For the easier version, combine ground chicken with 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 1 tsp rice wine vinegar, and some garlic powder; mix it up.
  90. 90For the easier version, combine ground chicken with 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine, 1 tsp rice wine vinegar, and some garlic powder; mix it up.
  91. 91For the easier sauce, pre-combine 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 1 tsp chili flake, 1/2 cup chicken stock, and 3.5 tbsp brown sugar; whisk until sugar mostly dissolves.
  92. 92For the easier sauce, pre-combine 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 1 tsp chili flake, 1/2 cup chicken stock, and 3.5 tbsp brown sugar; whisk until sugar mostly dissolves.
  93. 93For the easier sauce, pre-combine 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil, 1 tsp chili flake, 1/2 cup chicken stock, and 3.5 tbsp brown sugar; whisk until sugar mostly dissolves.
  94. 94For the dredge, combine 1/3 cup cornstarch, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, some salt, and some sesame seeds; mix well.
  95. 95For the dredge, combine 1/3 cup cornstarch, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, some salt, and some sesame seeds; mix well.
  96. 96For the dredge, combine 1/3 cup cornstarch, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, some salt, and some sesame seeds; mix well.
  97. 97Form the ground chicken mixture into General Tso's-sized chunks, press them together, and drop them into the dredge.
  98. 98Form the ground chicken mixture into General Tso's-sized chunks, press them together, and drop them into the dredge.
  99. 99Form the ground chicken mixture into General Tso's-sized chunks, press them together, and drop them into the dredge.
  100. 100Toss the chicken chunks in the dredge until coated.
  101. 101Toss the chicken chunks in the dredge until coated.
  102. 102Toss the chicken chunks in the dredge until coated.
  103. 103Shallow fry the breaded chicken chunks in a nonstick pan until nice color is achieved on one side, then flip.
  104. 104Shallow fry the breaded chicken chunks in a nonstick pan until nice color is achieved on one side, then flip.
  105. 105Shallow fry the breaded chicken chunks in a nonstick pan until nice color is achieved on one side, then flip.
  106. 106Remove the fried chicken from the pan and place on a platter while frying the rest.
  107. 107Remove the fried chicken from the pan and place on a platter while frying the rest.
  108. 108Remove the fried chicken from the pan and place on a platter while frying the rest.
  109. 109Leave about 2 tsp of fat and flour in the pan.
  110. 110Leave about 2 tsp of fat and flour in the pan.
  111. 111Leave about 2 tsp of fat and flour in the pan.
  112. 112Add scallion whites, grated frozen ginger, and crushed garlic to the pan; sauté briefly.
  113. 113Add scallion whites, grated frozen ginger, and crushed garlic to the pan; sauté briefly.
  114. 114Add scallion whites, grated frozen ginger, and crushed garlic to the pan; sauté briefly.
  115. 115Give the pre-combined sauce one last whisk and add it to the pan; it should thicken with the flour in there.
  116. 116Give the pre-combined sauce one last whisk and add it to the pan; it should thicken with the flour in there.
  117. 117Give the pre-combined sauce one last whisk and add it to the pan; it should thicken with the flour in there.
  118. 118If the sauce is too thin, grab some of the flour-oil mixture from the pan to thicken it further.
  119. 119If the sauce is too thin, grab some of the flour-oil mixture from the pan to thicken it further.
  120. 120If the sauce is too thin, grab some of the flour-oil mixture from the pan to thicken it further.
  121. 121Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
  122. 122Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
  123. 123Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.

Ingredients

  • chicken, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • chicken, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • chicken, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 3 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 3 Tbsp vodka
  • 3 Tbsp vodka
  • 3 Tbsp vodka
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • salt
  • salt
  • salt
  • Benefiber (wheat dextrin)
  • Benefiber (wheat dextrin)
  • Benefiber (wheat dextrin)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 quart oil
  • 1 quart oil
  • 1 quart oil
  • orange peel
  • orange peel
  • orange peel
  • orange juice
  • orange juice
  • orange juice
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 inches ginger
  • 2 inches ginger
  • 2 inches ginger
  • 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 4 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame oil
  • 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 4 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 4 Tbsp chicken stock
  • 4 Tbsp chicken stock
  • 4 Tbsp chicken stock
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • chili stir or dried Chinese chilies
  • chili stir or dried Chinese chilies
  • chili stir or dried Chinese chilies
  • scallion whites
  • scallion whites
  • scallion whites
  • scallion greens
  • scallion greens
  • scallion greens
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • chili oil
  • chili oil
  • chili oil
  • ground chicken
  • ground chicken
  • ground chicken
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 2 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • garlic powder
  • garlic powder
  • garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 tsp chili flake
  • 1 tsp chili flake
  • 1 tsp chili flake
  • 0.5 cup chicken stock
  • 0.5 cup chicken stock
  • 0.5 cup chicken stock
  • 3.5 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3.5 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3.5 tbsp brown sugar
  • 0.33 cup cornstarch
  • 0.33 cup cornstarch
  • 0.33 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • salt
  • salt
  • sesame seeds
  • sesame seeds
  • sesame seeds
  • scallion whites
  • scallion whites
  • scallion whites
  • grated ginger
  • grated ginger
  • grated ginger
  • crushed garlic
  • crushed garlic
  • crushed garlic

Equipment

large bowlwhiskwokrimmed baking sheetrackpaper towelovennonstick pan

Tips

  • For crispy coating, use only egg whites as yolks contain fat.
  • Marinate chicken at room temperature for 30 minutes to avoid over-tenderizing.
  • Use Benefiber (wheat dextrin) in breading to keep chicken crispier longer.
  • Toss chicken in a large bowl to bread instead of massaging by hand to avoid flattening the breading.
  • Drain fried chicken first on paper towels on a rack, then move to the uncovered part of the rack for the crispiest results.
  • Keep fried chicken warm and crispy in a 200°F oven.
  • Freeze ginger to make grating easier and prevent it from becoming a goo.