You can enjoy chinese take out at home with these 21 EASY Chinese Restaurant General Tso Chicken Copycat Recipes!
We all know chinese take out tantalizes your taste buds and transports you straight to the heart of your favorite Chinese restaurants. One of our all time favorite chinese food dishes is that golden brown General Tso’s chicken! It’s the perfect combination of deep-fried chicken pieces coated with a sweet and spicy sauce and topped with sesame seeds. You’ll think you’re eating Chinese takeout but YOU made it!
Good news! We’re keeping it EASY and breezy with some fantastic copycat recipes that you can whip up in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Legend of General Tso’s Chicken:
Before we unleash our inner kitchen warriors, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history of this iconic dish. General Tso Chicken, with its crispy coating and sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy general tso sauce, has become a staple Chinese-American dish. The dish is named after General Zuo Zongtang, a Qing dynasty military leader, but interestingly, it has no direct connection to him. Instead, it’s a testament to the fusion of flavors that has captivated taste buds around the world.
Tips for Making A Homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe:
With a great general tso chicken recipe and some simple tips, you can make chinese cuisine in no time.
- You can try using boneless chicken thighs or boneless chicken breast. We find thigh meat gives you the most juicy chicken, but both are great!
- To get the crispy chicken pieces you love, begin by coating the chicken pieces in corn starch, then dip them in beaten eggs seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat. You can also try deep frying. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy. For extra flavor, add a splash of sesame oil to the vegetable oil!
- In a separate pan, combine all the sauce ingredients and simmer until thickened.
- Toss the crispy chicken in the sauce until evenly coated, letting it soak up all those mouthwatering flavors.
- Don’t overcrowd the wok during the frying process. Fry in small batches to maintain that crispy perfection.
- Adjust the spice level according to your taste. General Tso’s sauce is all about that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy.
- Serve your masterpiece over a bed of steamed white rice or noodles for the complete experience.
Whether you’re a long time fan of General Tso’s chicken or you haven’t tried it before, we know this will become one of your favorite dishes. Which Easy General Tso’s chicken recipe are you going to try out first?