General Tso's Chicken - Vietnamese Style

Ingredients

While the original General Tso's Chicken is known for its deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a thick, sticky sauce, this Vietnamese version offers a lighter and healthier approach. The chicken is stir-fried instead of deep-fried, and the sauce is made with Vietnamese ingredients to infuse it with the unique flavors of the cuisine. 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
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 12g (2g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 18g (8g sugars)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken to the skillet and stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, sliced onion, and red bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and chili flakes.
6. 6.
   Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. 7.
   Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce.
8. 8.
   Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro.
9. 9.
   Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For a more tender result, marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for 30 minutes before coating it with cornstarch.
• Fish sauce — Choose a high-quality fish sauce for the best flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the amount of fish sauce used.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add sliced Thai chilies or sriracha sauce to the dish.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the skillet during the last minute of cooking.
• Customize the dish by adding your favorite vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or mushrooms.
• To make it more authentic, serve the General Tso's Chicken with a side of pickled vegetables or a fresh Vietnamese salad.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese-style General Tso's Chicken hot over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the General Tso's Chicken on a serving platter and sprinkle some chopped green onions and cilantro on top. Serve with a side of steamed rice or noodles for a visually appealing and appetizing presentation.