Chinese General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese dish, originating out of Hunan Province in China, that is now served in Chinese restaurants across the world. At its core, General Tso’s Chicken is a combination of crunchy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce. If you love spicy-sweet Chinese culinary flavors, then this recipe is perfect for you!

Ingredients:

– 1 ½ pounds boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
– ¼ cup cornstarch
– 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 4 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 4 tablespoons white vinegar
– 4 tablespoons brown sugar
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
– ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
– ¼ cup chicken broth
– 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Place chicken pieces in a sealed bag with ¼ cup of cornstarch and shake until each piece is evenly coated.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken pieces and stir-fry until evenly browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, tomato paste, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, chicken broth and sesame oil.

4. Once chicken pieces are cooked through, reduce heat to low and add sauce mixture to skillet or wok, stirring to evenly coat chicken.

5. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until liquid has thickened and most of the moisture has evaporated.

6. Serve over rice or noodles, garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy!