General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients

The soul food adaptation of General Tso's Chicken uses a combination of spices and ingredients commonly found in soul food cuisine, such as smoked paprika and hot sauce. The sauce is also slightly sweeter than the traditional recipe, with the addition of honey and brown sugar. We alse have the original recipe for General Tso's Chicken, so you can check it out.

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornstarch 1/2 cup (60g) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5g) smoked paprika 1 tsp (5g) smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp (2.5g) garlic powder 1/2 tsp (2.5g) garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp (2.5g) onion powder 1/2 tsp (2.5g) onion powder
• 1/2 tsp (2.5g) salt 1/2 tsp (2.5g) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1.25g) black pepper 1/4 tsp (1.25g) black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) hot sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) hot sauce
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 2 tbsp (30ml) brown sugar 2 tbsp (30ml) brown sugar
• 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15g) cornstarch 1 tbsp (15g) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp (15ml) water 1 tbsp (15ml) water
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Cooked rice, for serving Cooked rice, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories: 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat: 18g (3g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (18g sugars)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, and rice vinegar.
6. 6.
   Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet and stir to coat evenly.
7. 7.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water.
8. 8.
   Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
9. 9.
   Garnish with sliced green onions and serve over cooked rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — Make sure to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Cornstarch — The cornstarch helps to create a crispy coating on the chicken. Be sure to coat the chicken evenly for the best results.
• Hot sauce — Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your liking. If you prefer a milder dish, use less hot sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy coating, you can double-coat the chicken by dipping it in the cornstarch mixture twice before frying.
• If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika instead.
• To make this dish spicier, add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the amount of cornstarch and water used to thicken it.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the General Tso's Chicken over cooked rice for a complete meal. Garnish with sliced green onions for added flavor and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and drizzle the sauce over the top. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with a side of cooked rice.