Deb's General Tso's Chicken

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This General Tso's chicken recipe uses cornstarch batter to make a deep-fried Chinese favorite. You'll enjoy the spicy, sweet sauce with ginger and garlic flavors.

Ingredients

4 cups vegetable oil for frying
3 large eggs
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
12 whole dried red chile peppers, or to taste
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger, or to taste

Directions

1 Cook chicken: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2 Beat eggs in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch until no lumps remain. Stir in chicken pieces until evenly coated.
3 Drop battered chicken pieces into hot oil, one by one. Cook until chicken is golden brown and begins to float, about 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
4 Make sauce: Combine sugar, vinegars, sherry, soy sauce, and garlic in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved and sauce has thickened to the consistency of light pancake syrup, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and keep sauce warm.
5 Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chiles and ginger in hot oil until ginger begins to brown, about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove chiles and ginger to warm sauce; stir until combined.
6 Cook and stir-fry chicken in the same wok until very crispy and dark golden brown. Serve with sauce.