General Tso's Chicken - Cuban Style

Ingredients

While the original General Tso's Chicken is known for its sweet and spicy flavors, our Cuban adaptation infuses the dish with the aromatic spices and tangy citrus notes that are characteristic of Cuban cuisine. The use of traditional Cuban spices and ingredients adds a unique twist to this classic Chinese dish. We alse have the original recipe for General Tso's Chicken, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish) 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish) Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 10g
• Protein: 34g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the chicken pieces in a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
4. 4.
   Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5. 5.
   In the meantime, whisk the cornstarch into the reserved marinade until well combined.
6. 6.
   Pour the marinade mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
8. 8.
   Serve the Cuban-style General Tso's Chicken hot with steamed rice or plantains.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange juice — Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
• Lime juice — Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tangy kick to the dish.
• Tomato paste — Look for a high-quality tomato paste to enhance the depth of flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more cayenne pepper to the marinade.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a little extra cornstarch with water and add it to the skillet while cooking the sauce.
• Serve the General Tso's Chicken with a side of black beans and rice for a complete Cuban meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Cuban-style General Tso's Chicken hot with steamed rice or plantains. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the General Tso's Chicken on a platter, placing the garnishes strategically. Drizzle some of the thickened sauce over the chicken for an enticing presentation.