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Test Kitchen Approved

Sweet & Spicy General Tso's

Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

About

This dish doesn't need an army of flavors behind it because it IS the army! Sweet & Spicy General Tso's magic lies in that signature sauce — the sauce you thought could only come in a white takeout box but can be made with a few whisks and a quick trip into a skillet! And the chicken it coats is crispy, savory, and so wonderful! Sweet & Spicy General Tso's is here to conquer your food fantasies!

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Ingredients

  • For the chicken:
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • vegetable oil, to taste
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • For the sauce:
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Optional, for topping:
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

Directions

Step 1 -In a bowl, add the beaten eggs.

Step 2 -Add the salt and the pepper to the eggs and beat to combine.

Step 3 -In a shallow bowl, add the flour and 1/2 cup of the cornstarch and mix to combine.

Step 4 -In a deep pot on the stovetop, heat 3 inches of the oil to 350 degrees F.

Step 5 -Dip each piece of the chicken in the eggs and then into the flour-cornstarch mixture.

Step 6 -In batches of about 8-9 pieces at a time, fry the dredged chicken pieces until browned and each piece reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes.

Step 7 -Transfer the chicken pieces to paper towels to drain and repeat until all the chicken pieces are cooked.

Step 8 -In a saucepan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of the vegetable oil.

Step 9 -Add the garlic and the red pepper flakes to the saucepan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step 10 -In a bowl, add the chicken broth, the hoisin sauce, the brown sugar, the soy sauce, and the remaining cornstarch and whisk to combine.

Step 11 -Add the broth mixture to the saucepan and stir to combine.

Step 12 -Bring the broth mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 13 -Add the cooked chicken to the saucepan and toss it to coat in the sauce.

Step 14 -Serve sprinkled with the sesame seeds and the green onions.

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