GENERAL TSAO'S CHICKEN 
1/2 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. water
1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. ginger, fresh, minced
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. white vinegar
1/4 c. sherry wine
1 1/2 c. chicken broth, hot
1 tbsp. MSG (monosodium glutamate) optional
3 lbs. chicken, raw, deboned, cubed
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. white pepper
1 egg
1 c. cornstarch
1 c. salad oil
2 c. green onion, chopped
16 red chili peppers, dried

To make sauce, dissolve cornstarch in water and add garlic, ginger, sugar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, vinegar, and sherry. Then add chicken broth and MSG, if used, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until needed.

In a separate bowl mix chicken, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and white pepper. Stir in egg and add cornstarch until thoroughly blended. Add a small amount of oil if mixture becomes too dry.

Divide chicken into small quantities and deep fry at 350 degrees until crispy. Drain chicken of grease and set aside. Place a small amount of oil in wok or saute pan and heat until oil smokes. Add chili peppers and green onions and stir fry briefly. Remove sauce from the refrigerator and stir.

Add sauce to wok or saute pan; mix well and then add the cooked chicken and cook until sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Serve with rice. Serves: 6-8. (Prep and Cooking Time: 45 minutes)

recipe reviews
General Tsao's Chicken
 #5699
 Rita Del Guidice says:
This recipe was very easy and the best part it tasted delicious. Your estimate on prep and cooking time was right on the money. I don't think I will be visiting the local Chinese Take out for General Tsao's Chicken.
 #26945
 Charles C winslow (Maine) says:
You need ketchup, and trust me, that is a secret recipe, if you want to make it the way the Cantonese showed me
   #96854
 Denny Nguyen (Washington) says:
I really like the recipe. It is outstanding, but the only thing I got to say is I replace the garnishes with green and red bell peppers with round onions and rice wine instead of Sherry. It was only great because of this recipe though.
 #108563
 Jennifer (Washington) says:
I made a recipe similar to this. I coated my chicken in a mixture or soy sauce, corn starch, and egg and fried it in a small amount of oil, and it still turned out great. I used the general tso stir fry sauce from trader joes instead of making the sauce from scratch. It tasted just like the Chinese restaurants but better and healthier.
   #187682
 Davonne (Massachusetts) replies:
Thanks for the tip about the coating. I am definitely going to try it out as soon as possible.
   #187998
 Davonne Mitchell (Massachusetts) replies:
I am definitely going to try that also. Did you try it yet? How did it turn out?
   #118605
 Joey (Florida) says:
The taste was good, but I'm wondering why my sauce turned out very thick and almost jelly-like. Did I cook it too long / hot on the burner? Should I be using less starch?

 

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