Easy General Tso’s Chicken Flavorful Dinner Recipe

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Craving a flavorful dinner that’s quick and easy? Get ready to impress with this Easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe! This dish combines juicy chicken thighs with a sweet and savory sauce, making it a favorite for anyone who loves a tasty meal. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping for a cozy night in, you’ll find joy in making this satisfying dish. Let’s dive into this delicious journey together!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– Chicken thighs: boneless and skinless

– Sauce components: soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar

– Vegetables: broccoli, garlic, ginger

– Coating: cornstarch

To make Easy General Tso’s Chicken, you need some simple yet flavorful ingredients.

Chicken thighs are my favorite because they are juicy and tender. Boneless and skinless pieces work best for this dish. They cook quickly and absorb flavors well.

For the sauce, I use soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Soy sauce adds saltiness and depth. Honey brings sweetness, while rice vinegar gives a nice tang. Together, they create a perfect balance.

Vegetables like broccoli, garlic, and ginger add freshness. Broccoli adds crunch and color. Garlic and ginger pack a punch with their strong flavors.

Finally, we use cornstarch to coat the chicken. It helps the chicken get crispy and golden brown. The cornstarch also thickens the sauce later on.

For the full recipe, refer to the Full Recipe link.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

How to coat chicken with cornstarch

Start by cutting chicken thighs into small pieces. Place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken. Toss the chicken until it’s fully coated. Shake off any extra cornstarch. This step helps create a nice, crispy texture when cooked.

Cooking chicken to golden perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Avoid crowding the pan, as this can make the chicken steam instead of fry. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Turn the chicken occasionally until it is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Sautéing garlic and ginger for flavor enhancement

In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Then, add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté these for about 30 seconds until they smell great. Be careful not to burn them, as they can turn bitter quickly.

Sauce Preparation

Whisking together the sauce ingredients

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Use a whisk to mix everything well. This sauce adds depth and sweetness to the dish.

Pouring and combining with sautéed vegetables

Once the garlic and ginger are fragrant, toss in the broccoli florets. Stir-fry them for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Now, pour the sauce over the broccoli. Stir everything together so the sauce coats the veggies nicely.

Final Cooking Steps

Reintroducing chicken to the skillet

Now it’s time to bring back the chicken. Add it back to the skillet with the broccoli and sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.

Tossing everything together for a cohesive dish

Cook the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes. This helps the chicken absorb the sauce and flavors. When everything is heated through, your dish is ready to serve. Enjoy this Easy General Tso’s Chicken with rice or noodles for a delicious meal. You can find the [Full Recipe] for more details.

Tips & Tricks

Achieving the best texture

To get the best texture for your General Tso’s Chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. When you add too many chicken pieces, they steam instead of fry. This can make your chicken soggy. Always cook in batches if needed.

The ideal cooking temperature for chicken is medium-high. This helps the chicken brown nicely and cook evenly. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil. The right heat gives you that crispy outer layer we all love.

Flavor enhancements

You can adjust the spice level in this dish easily. If you want more heat, add more red pepper flakes. For less heat, reduce the amount or leave them out. You can also use chili oil for a different flavor.

For sweetness, you can swap honey for maple syrup or agave syrup. This change can give your dish a unique twist. Remember, the key is to balance sweetness with spice for a great taste.

For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe].

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

You can change the protein in this dish easily. Try tofu for a vegetarian option. Tofu absorbs flavors well and gives a nice texture. Shrimp is another great choice. It cooks fast and adds a different taste.

Also, feel free to switch up the vegetables. Bell peppers add a sweet crunch. Snap peas bring a fresh snap to each bite. You can mix and match to find your favorite combo.

Dietary considerations

If you need gluten-free options, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari has a similar taste and works well in this dish. You can also use gluten-free cornstarch for coating the chicken.

For a low-carb version, swap out the honey for a sugar-free sweetener. You can also skip the rice vinegar and use lemon juice instead. This keeps the flavor bright without the carbs.

For the full recipe, check out Easy General Tso’s Chicken .

Storage Info

Proper cooling techniques

Before you store your Easy General Tso’s Chicken, let it cool down. This step helps prevent moisture build-up, which can make the dish soggy. Spread the chicken on a plate or a baking sheet. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. If you plan to freeze it, ensure it is cooled completely.

For freezing, use freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible. This keeps the flavor fresh and prevents freezer burn. Label the bags with the date. You can store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheating tips

Reheating your General Tso’s Chicken properly keeps it tasty and prevents it from getting dry. One method is using the stovetop. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir occasionally until heated through.

You can also use the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Add a few drops of water and cover it loosely. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating. This method helps keep the chicken tender and juicy. Enjoy your meal!

FAQs

How can I make General Tso’s Chicken spicier?

To boost the heat in General Tso’s Chicken, you can add more red pepper flakes to the sauce. Start with an extra half teaspoon, then taste it. You can also use fresh chopped chili peppers or chili oil for a different flavor profile. Sriracha sauce works well too; just add a bit to the sauce while mixing. Adjust the spice to fit your taste!

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can prep General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time. Coat the chicken with cornstarch and store it in the fridge for up to 2 hours before cooking. You can also make the sauce in advance. For storage, keep the cooked chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers. They will stay fresh for about 3 days. When ready to eat, just reheat in a pan until warm.

What sides pair well with General Tso’s Chicken?

This dish pairs nicely with a few sides. Here are my favorites:

Steamed rice: The perfect base to soak up the sauce.

Fried rice: Adds a tasty twist with extra veggies and protein.

Stir-fried vegetables: A mix of colorful veggies adds texture and nutrition.

Spring rolls: Crunchy and fun, they complement the meal well.

For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe].

This blog post gave you a clear recipe for General Tso’s Chicken. We covered all the key ingredients from chicken thighs to sauce components. I shared easy steps for preparation and cooking. You learned tips for perfecting texture and flavor, plus some alternatives for different diets.

With this knowledge, you can create an amazing dish at home. Enjoy experimenting and making it your own!

- Chicken thighs: boneless and skinless - Sauce components: soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar - Vegetables: broccoli, garlic, ginger - Coating: cornstarch To make Easy General Tso’s Chicken, you need some simple yet flavorful ingredients. Chicken thighs are my favorite because they are juicy and tender. Boneless and skinless pieces work best for this dish. They cook quickly and absorb flavors well. For the sauce, I use soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Soy sauce adds saltiness and depth. Honey brings sweetness, while rice vinegar gives a nice tang. Together, they create a perfect balance. Vegetables like broccoli, garlic, and ginger add freshness. Broccoli adds crunch and color. Garlic and ginger pack a punch with their strong flavors. Finally, we use cornstarch to coat the chicken. It helps the chicken get crispy and golden brown. The cornstarch also thickens the sauce later on. For the full recipe, refer to the Full Recipe link. How to coat chicken with cornstarch Start by cutting chicken thighs into small pieces. Place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken. Toss the chicken until it’s fully coated. Shake off any extra cornstarch. This step helps create a nice, crispy texture when cooked. Cooking chicken to golden perfection Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Avoid crowding the pan, as this can make the chicken steam instead of fry. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Turn the chicken occasionally until it is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Sautéing garlic and ginger for flavor enhancement In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Then, add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté these for about 30 seconds until they smell great. Be careful not to burn them, as they can turn bitter quickly. Whisking together the sauce ingredients In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Use a whisk to mix everything well. This sauce adds depth and sweetness to the dish. Pouring and combining with sautéed vegetables Once the garlic and ginger are fragrant, toss in the broccoli florets. Stir-fry them for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Now, pour the sauce over the broccoli. Stir everything together so the sauce coats the veggies nicely. Reintroducing chicken to the skillet Now it’s time to bring back the chicken. Add it back to the skillet with the broccoli and sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Tossing everything together for a cohesive dish Cook the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes. This helps the chicken absorb the sauce and flavors. When everything is heated through, your dish is ready to serve. Enjoy this Easy General Tso’s Chicken with rice or noodles for a delicious meal. You can find the [Full Recipe] for more details. To get the best texture for your General Tso’s Chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. When you add too many chicken pieces, they steam instead of fry. This can make your chicken soggy. Always cook in batches if needed. The ideal cooking temperature for chicken is medium-high. This helps the chicken brown nicely and cook evenly. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil. The right heat gives you that crispy outer layer we all love. You can adjust the spice level in this dish easily. If you want more heat, add more red pepper flakes. For less heat, reduce the amount or leave them out. You can also use chili oil for a different flavor. For sweetness, you can swap honey for maple syrup or agave syrup. This change can give your dish a unique twist. Remember, the key is to balance sweetness with spice for a great taste. For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. {{image_2}} You can change the protein in this dish easily. Try tofu for a vegetarian option. Tofu absorbs flavors well and gives a nice texture. Shrimp is another great choice. It cooks fast and adds a different taste. Also, feel free to switch up the vegetables. Bell peppers add a sweet crunch. Snap peas bring a fresh snap to each bite. You can mix and match to find your favorite combo. If you need gluten-free options, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari has a similar taste and works well in this dish. You can also use gluten-free cornstarch for coating the chicken. For a low-carb version, swap out the honey for a sugar-free sweetener. You can also skip the rice vinegar and use lemon juice instead. This keeps the flavor bright without the carbs. For the full recipe, check out Easy General Tso’s Chicken . Before you store your Easy General Tso's Chicken, let it cool down. This step helps prevent moisture build-up, which can make the dish soggy. Spread the chicken on a plate or a baking sheet. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. If you plan to freeze it, ensure it is cooled completely. For freezing, use freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible. This keeps the flavor fresh and prevents freezer burn. Label the bags with the date. You can store it in the freezer for up to three months. Reheating your General Tso's Chicken properly keeps it tasty and prevents it from getting dry. One method is using the stovetop. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also use the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Add a few drops of water and cover it loosely. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating. This method helps keep the chicken tender and juicy. Enjoy your meal! To boost the heat in General Tso’s Chicken, you can add more red pepper flakes to the sauce. Start with an extra half teaspoon, then taste it. You can also use fresh chopped chili peppers or chili oil for a different flavor profile. Sriracha sauce works well too; just add a bit to the sauce while mixing. Adjust the spice to fit your taste! Yes, you can prep General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time. Coat the chicken with cornstarch and store it in the fridge for up to 2 hours before cooking. You can also make the sauce in advance. For storage, keep the cooked chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers. They will stay fresh for about 3 days. When ready to eat, just reheat in a pan until warm. This dish pairs nicely with a few sides. Here are my favorites: - Steamed rice: The perfect base to soak up the sauce. - Fried rice: Adds a tasty twist with extra veggies and protein. - Stir-fried vegetables: A mix of colorful veggies adds texture and nutrition. - Spring rolls: Crunchy and fun, they complement the meal well. For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. This blog post gave you a clear recipe for General Tso's Chicken. We covered all the key ingredients from chicken thighs to sauce components. I shared easy steps for preparation and cooking. You learned tips for perfecting texture and flavor, plus some alternatives for different diets. With this knowledge, you can create an amazing dish at home. Enjoy experimenting and making it your own!

Easy General Tso’s Chicken

Delight your taste buds with this easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe! In just 30 minutes, create a flavorful dish featuring tender chicken and fresh broccoli, all tossed in a delicious homemade sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress. Follow our simple steps and add a twist to your meal rotation. Click through to discover the full recipe and elevate your cooking game today!

Ingredients
  

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

½ cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

1 cup broccoli florets

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)

2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions
 

In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are fully coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch and set aside.

    In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

      Once the chicken is cooked through, remove from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if necessary and sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

        Add in the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and just tender.

          In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Pour this sauce over the broccoli and stir well.

            Return the chicken to the skillet and toss everything together, coating well in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.

              Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top.

                Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

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