General Tso's Chicken 

General Tso's Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its irresistible combination of crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce. Named after the 19th-century Chinese military leader Zuo Zongtang (also known as General Tso), this dish has become a staple in Chinese restaurants across the United States. Its rich flavors and satisfying textures make it a favorite among many.

 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon white sugar

• 1 pinch white pepper

• 1 cup cornstarch

• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 3 tablespoons chopped green onion

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 6 dried whole red chilies

• 1 strip orange zest

• ½ cup white sugar

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons chicken broth

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• ¼ cup water

 Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Whisk the egg in a large mixing bowl.

   • Add the chicken pieces, salt, sugar, and white pepper; mix well.

   • Gradually mix in the cornstarch until the chicken is well coated.

2. Fry the Chicken:

   • Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375°F (190°C).

   • Working in batches, carefully drop the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil.

   • Fry until the chicken turns golden brown and begins to float, about 3 minutes.

   • Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.

   • For extra crispiness, refry the chicken in batches until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes more.

   • Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

   • Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.

   • Stir in the green onion, garlic, dried chilies, and orange zest.

   • Cook and stir until the garlic turns golden and the chilies brighten, about 1 to 2 minutes.

   • Add sugar, soy sauce, chicken broth, peanut oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger; bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.

   • Whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in water until dissolved.

   • Stir into the boiling sauce.

   • Return to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens and is no longer cloudy from the cornstarch, about 1 minute.

4. Combine Chicken and Sauce:

   • Stir the fried chicken into the boiling sauce.

   • Reduce heat to low and cook until the chicken is heated through and has absorbed some of the sauce, about 3 minutes.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the General Tso's Chicken hot, garnished with additional chopped green onions if desired.

   • Pair with steamed white rice for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: Approximately 634 kcal

• Protein: 24 g

• Fat: 37 g

• Carbohydrates: 55 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 18 g

• Sodium: 1192 mg