This dish doesn’t need an army of flavors behind it because it IS the army! Sweet & Spicy General Tso’s magic lies in that signature sauce — the sauce you thought could only come in a white takeout box but can be made with a few whisks and a quick trip into a skillet! And the chicken it coats is crispy, savory, and so wonderful! Sweet & Spicy General Tso’s is here to conquer your food fantasies!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- vegetable oil, to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
For the sauce:
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Optional, for topping:
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
Directions
Step 1 -In a bowl, add the beaten eggs.
Step 2 -Add the salt and the pepper to the eggs and beat to combine.
Step 3 -In a shallow bowl, add the flour and 1/2 cup of the cornstarch and mix to combine.
Step 4 -In a deep pot on the stovetop, heat 3 inches of the oil to 350 degrees F.
Step 5 -Dip each piece of the chicken in the eggs and then into the flour-cornstarch mixture.
Step 6 -In batches of about 8-9 pieces at a time, fry the dredged chicken pieces until browned and each piece reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
Step 7 -Transfer the chicken pieces to paper towels to drain and repeat until all the chicken pieces are cooked.
Step 8 -In a saucepan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of the vegetable oil.
Step 9 -Add the garlic and the red pepper flakes to the saucepan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 10 -In a bowl, add the chicken broth, the hoisin sauce, the brown sugar, the soy sauce, and the remaining cornstarch and whisk to combine.
Step 11 -Add the broth mixture to the saucepan and stir to combine.
Step 12 -Bring the broth mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 13 -Add the cooked chicken to the saucepan and toss it to coat in the sauce.
Step 14 -Serve sprinkled with the sesame seeds and the green onions.
