General Tso's Chicken is a staple of Chinese cuisine in America that has taken the world by storm. It is a deliciously crispy, sweet, and savory dish that is sure to satisfy any palate. The dish is named after a legendary Chinese military leader named General Tso, but the actual origin story of the dish is a bit hazy.
General Tso's Chicken and its Origins
There are a few different stories about how General Tso's Chicken came to be. One popular theory is that the dish was created in the 1950s by a Chinese chef named Peng Chang-kuei. Peng was a renowned chef who cooked for the Chinese Nationalist government and was known for his Hunan-style cuisine. Legend has it that one day Peng was asked to create a new dish for a visit from US Admiral Arthur W. Radford. Peng decided to create a sweet and spicy chicken dish that would appeal to American palates, and General Tso's Chicken was born.
Another theory holds that Chinese immigrants in New York City invented General Tso's Chicken in the 1970s. According to this theory, the dish was named after General Tso as a way to pay tribute to the legendary military leader who was known for his bravery and leadership skills.
Regardless of its origin story, one thing is for sure: General Tso's Chicken is delicious! The dish is made with crispy, deep-fried pieces of chicken that are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. The sauce is typically made with soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and chili peppers, giving it a complex flavor that is both sweet and savory.
Now that you know the backstory of General Tso's Chicken, let's dive into how you can make it at home!
The dish itself is made up of crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. It is said that Chef Peng was inspired by a traditional Hunanese dish called "chicken with chili and peanuts" that had a similar flavor profile. However, he added his own twist to the dish by making it more sweet and savory.
Ingredients:
- 450 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, chopped
- vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg and cornstarch until smooth. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in batches and fry until crispy and golden brown, about 6–8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken pieces from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat a separate skillet over medium heat and add the sauce mixture to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions.
What to Serve with General Tso's Chicken
General Tso's chicken is a popular dish that is typically served with rice and steamed vegetables. For the rice, you can use either white or brown rice, depending on your preference. To add some flavor to the rice, you can cook it in chicken broth instead of water or add some soy sauce and sesame oil. As for the steamed vegetables, you can use broccoli, carrots, snow peas, or a combination of these. Simply blanch or steam the vegetables until they are tender but still crisp, and season them with a bit of salt and pepper. You could also add some sliced scallions and sesame seeds on top of the chicken and vegetables for garnish and extra flavor. Finally, for a complete meal, you may want to serve a simple salad or soup as an appetizer.
There you have it—a simple and delicious recipe for General Tso's Chicken that you can make at home! Whether you're a fan of Chinese cuisine or just looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, General Tso's Chicken is sure to hit the spot. So why not give it a try? Give it a try and see for yourself why this dish is so beloved!