General Tsos Crispy Chicken (Printable)

Golden fried chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy glaze served with rice.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
04 - 1 tsp sesame oil
05 - ¼ tsp white pepper
06 - 1 cup cornstarch
07 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
08 - Vegetable oil for deep-frying

→ Sauce

09 - ½ cup chicken broth
10 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
11 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
12 - 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
13 - 3 tbsp sugar
14 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 1 tbsp water (for slurry)
16 - 2 tsp sesame oil
17 - 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing wine (optional)

→ Stir-fry & Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
19 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
20 - 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
21 - 6-8 dried red chilies or 1-2 tsp chili flakes, to taste
22 - 2 spring onions, sliced
23 - Steamed white rice, for serving
24 - Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Whisk eggs, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly.
02 - Combine cornstarch and all-purpose flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
04 - In a small bowl, mix chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine if using. Stir cornstarch with water to create a slurry and add to the sauce mixture.
05 - Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a clean wok or skillet over medium heat. Add dried chilies, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for one minute until fragrant.
06 - Pour in the prepared sauce and cook, stirring, until it thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat thoroughly.
08 - Serve immediately over steamed white rice, garnished with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every crispy corner, coating each bite in that perfect sweet-tangy glaze
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, making it faster than delivery and infinitely more satisfying
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan when frying chicken or the oil temperature drops and you'll end up with soggy, greasy pieces
  • The sauce thickens fast once it hits the heat, so have everything ready before you start cooking
03 -
  • Double-fry the chicken for extra crunch—once at 325°F to cook through, then again at 375°F to crisp up
  • Add a pinch of five-spice powder to the coating for subtle warmth that makes people wonder what your secret is
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