General Tso's Chicken with a Latin American Twist

Ingredients

While the original General Tso's Chicken is known for its sweet and savory flavors, this Latin American adaptation adds a spicy kick to the dish. The sauce incorporates Latin American spices and ingredients, giving it a unique and exciting twist. Additionally, the cooking method is adjusted to achieve a crispier texture, reminiscent of Latin American fried chicken. 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) soy sauce 1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) hot sauce 2 tablespoons (30ml) hot sauce
• 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 chili powder 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish) 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds, for garnish Sesame seeds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (Sugars: 8g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, honey, tomato paste, hot sauce, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the chicken pieces in a separate bowl and pour half of the marinade over them. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   In a shallow dish, combine flour and cornstarch. Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. 5.
   In a separate saucepan, heat the remaining marinade over medium heat until it thickens and reduces slightly, about 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Return the fried chicken to the skillet or wok and pour the thickened sauce over it. Toss to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.
7. 7.
   Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
8. 8.
   Serve the Picante Pollo del General Tso hot with steamed rice or tortillas.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For extra crispy chicken, pat the chicken pieces dry before marinating and coating with the flour mixture.
• Lime juice — Freshly squeezed lime juice is recommended for the best flavor.
• Hot sauce — Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your spice preference.
• Tomato paste — Look for a high-quality tomato paste to enhance the richness of the sauce.
• Green onions — Use both the green and white parts of the onions for added flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add chopped jalapenos or red chili flakes to the marinade.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the sauce while it simmers.
• Serve the Picante Pollo del General Tso with a side of guacamole or salsa for a refreshing contrast.
• If you don't have hot sauce, you can substitute it with sriracha or your favorite spicy condiment.
• To make it a complete meal, serve the dish with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.

Serving advice

Serve the Picante Pollo del General Tso hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Accompany it with steamed rice or warm tortillas for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the crispy chicken pieces on a platter, drizzle the thickened sauce over them, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Add a pop of color by garnishing the plate with fresh cilantro leaves.