Description
Baked General Tso's Chicken is a saucy, savoury, sweet, and spicy Chinese-American takeout favourite made healthier with baked chicken, not deep-fried.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 lb. chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
- cooking oil spray
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons black vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing cooking wine (or mirin)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2-3 dried red chili peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1 green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (or all-purpose flour)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Pat dry the chicken completely with paper towel and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place into a medium mixing bowl and season with salt, pepper and oil. Toss well to combine and set aside for at least 5 minutes.
- In a large ziploc bag, add flour and cubed chicken. Seal the bag and shake well to coat evenly.
- Place coated chicken on a large half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray oil to help create a crispy crust on the outside.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Set aside on a plate after baking.
- In another medium mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until sugar and cornstarch is fully combined.
- In a shallow saucepan or wok, heat the sauce over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring until thickened to a desired consistency. Add the baked chicken and toss well to coat.
- Garnish with sesame seeds on top and serve immediately with a bowl of steamed rice or fried rice.
Notes
How to serve: Serve General Tso's chicken over a bowl of steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles. For a complete Chinese meal, pair it with Beef Potstickers, Chinese Garlic Cucumber Salad, Air Fryer Vegetable Stir Fry, and Steamed Buns.
How to store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, heat on the stove over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened up too much in the refrigerator, add some water when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Chinese