General Tso's Chicken with a Mexican Twist

Ingredients

This adaptation of General Tso's Chicken replaces traditional Chinese ingredients with Mexican ones. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin before being coated in a batter made with cornmeal and flour. The sauce is made with a blend of honey, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce, giving it a smoky and spicy flavor. We alse have the original recipe for General Tso's Chicken, so you can check it out.

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 1 tbsp (15ml) chili powder 1 tbsp (15ml) chili powder
• 1 tsp (5ml) cumin 1 tsp (5ml) cumin
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5g) salt 1 tsp (5g) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2.5g) black pepper 1/2 tsp (2.5g) black pepper
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tbsp (15ml) adobo sauce 1 tbsp (15ml) adobo sauce
• 2 tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Nutrition

• Calories: 360 kcal / 1505 KJ
• Fat: 7g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 56g (32g sugars)
• Protein: 21g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, chili powder, and cumin. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, salt, and black pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade and coat each piece in the cornmeal mixture.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the honey, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
5. 5.
   Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cornmeal — Make sure to use fine cornmeal for a smoother batter.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce — Use gloves when handling the peppers to avoid irritation. Adjust the amount of peppers to your desired level of spiciness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier coating, fry the chicken instead of pan-frying it.
• Serve with rice and beans for a complete meal.
• Substitute the chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version.
• Use leftover sauce as a marinade for grilled meats or vegetables.
• Adjust the amount of honey and chipotle peppers to your desired level of sweetness and spiciness.

Serving advice

Serve hot with a side of rice and beans.

Presentation advice

Garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color.