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The Real General Tso's Chicken
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The Original Real General Tso's Chicken

This is the real version created in Taiwan that you probably never had.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Kevin Godbee

Equipment

  • 1 Carbon Steel Wok
  • 1 Wok Chuan also called a wok spatula

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 0.5 teaspoon white pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Coating

  • 1 to 1.5 cups cornstarch as needed for light dusting

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 1.5 tablespoons Chinkiang black vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Aromatics

  • 12-20 heaven-facing dried chiles split
  • 6 garlic cloves sliced
  • 2 tablespoons ginger julienned
  • 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces

Frying

  • Neutral oil peanut or canola, for frying, 2.5-3 inches depth in the pot

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken: Combine the chicken with the egg, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, and white pepper. Rest 20-30 minutes.
  • Make the sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients together. Set aside.
  • Coat the chicken: Lightly dust the chicken in cornstarch. Shake off excess — the coating should be thin, not heavy.
  • Fry the chicken: Heat the oil to 350°F in a Dutch oven. First fry: 3-4 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. Rest 2 minutes. Second fry: 45-60 seconds at 375°F until crisp. Drain well.
    General Tso Chicken is Fried First
  • In a wok or large skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil (or a spoon of the frying oil). Bloom the dried chiles until fragrant (do not burn).
    Chiles Go in First for General Tso's
  • Add the ginger and stir briefly, stir and toss 15 seconds.
    Ginger Goes in Next for General Tso's
  • Add the garlic and white parts of the scallions, stir and toss 15-30 seconds.
    Scallions and Garlic go in for General Tso's Chicken
  • Add the green parts of the scallions, stir and toss 10 seconds.
    Green Parts of Scallions Go next for General Tso's Chicken
  • Add the sauce and toss: Add the sauce and simmer 15-20 seconds. Add the chicken and toss quickly over high heat until lightly coated and glossy, not saucy.
    The Fried Chicken Gets Mixed In with the Sauce for General Tso's Chicken
  • Serve immediately with plain steamed rice.

Notes

Flavor target: savory first, aromatic chile heat, ginger/garlic forward, bright black vinegar, very restrained sweetness — light coating, not a sticky glaze.