How to Make the Perfect General Tso Chicken Bites
Chinese-American · Medium · 35 min · 4 servings
Crispy bite-sized chicken pieces tossed in a tangy sweet and spicy General Tso sauce. This classic takeout favorite is easy to make at home in under 40 minutes.
Why this recipe works
This General Tso Chicken Bites recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 480 calories with 34g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
Dip chicken pieces in beaten egg then dredge thoroughly in cornstarch until fully coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet to 350F. Fry chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Drain most of the oil leaving about one tablespoon. Saute garlic and chili flakes for 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Toss and Coat
Add fried chicken to the sauce and toss quickly over high heat until every piece is well coated and the sauce clings to the chicken.
Step 5: Serve
Serve immediately over steamed white rice and garnish with sliced green onions and extra chili flakes if desired.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- chicken thighs → chicken breast
- hoisin sauce → oyster sauce
- vegetable oil → peanut oil
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcrowding the pan when frying which causes steaming instead of crisping
- Not getting the oil hot enough before adding chicken
- Letting the sauce cook too long before adding chicken which makes it too thick
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 480 calories, 34g protein, 40g carbs, 18g fat, 2g fiber.
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