Gourmet General Tso’s Chicken

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons sriracha or chili paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
• In another bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water.
• Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the flour mixture.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

1. Make the Sauce:

• In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, honey, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
• Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.

1. Combine and Serve:

• Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the sauce until well-coated.
• Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro.
• Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables.

Enjoy this gourmet General Tao Chicken with its perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spice!