Easy General Tso's Chicken Recipe
Rebecca
This easy General Tso's Chicken captures the crispy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of your favorite takeout dish, without the deep frying. Quick, simple, and full of flavor, it's perfect for a homemade comfort meal.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 355 kcal
- 1 lb Popcorn chicken pre-cooked
- 1/2 cup Chicken stock
- 3 tbsp Light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Fresh ginger minced
- 1 tsp Chili paste adjust to taste
- 1/4 cup Scallions sliced
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds for garnish
Start by cooking the popcorn chicken according to package instructions to get it crispy and golden brown. While this bakes, gather and prep your sauce ingredients to save time and ensure a smooth cooking process.
Combine chicken stock, light brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and everything is well incorporated. Set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Stir for about 30 seconds, allowing the aromatics to release their fragrant flavors into the oil.
Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring well. Bring it to a simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes, so keep an eye on it.
Add the baked popcorn chicken directly into the skillet. Toss gently until each piece is coated with the thick, flavorful sauce. The result should be tender chicken with a deliciously sticky glaze.
Transfer the chicken to a serving dish or plate. Top with sliced scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve it immediately while it’s hot and crispy!
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Don’t Overcook the Sauce: Cornstarch thickens quickly, so remove from heat once the sauce has thickened to avoid burning.
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Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly minced garlic and ginger add better depth of flavor compared to powdered ones.
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Prep Ahead: Measure and prep all your sauce ingredients in advance for a smooth cooking process.
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Customizable: Adjust the chili paste for more or less heat, or swap in honey or maple syrup for a more natural sweetener.
Keyword Easy General Tso's Chicken Recipe