General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American classic that has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of Chinese restaurant dishes. Boneless chicken pieces are marinated, coated in a seasoned cornstarch batter, and deep-fried until exceptionally crispy. The fried chicken is then tossed in a wok with a sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, sugar, garlic, ginger, dried red chilies, and a touch of sesame oil. The sauce is thickened slightly with cornstarch to create a glossy, coating consistency that clings to each piece of chicken. The result is a dish that balances sweetness, tanginess, savory depth, and a background heat from the chilies. The contrast between the crispy chicken exterior and the saucy, sticky coating is the defining characteristic of a well-executed General Tso’s. The dish is typically garnished with steamed broccoli and served with white rice, making it a satisfying and complete meal that has delighted diners for decades.