Description
Whip up General Tso’s Ground Chicken for a speedy twist on the classic takeout favorite that’ll have your taste buds dancing. Crispy, saucy, and packed with flavor, this homemade version beats restaurant delivery any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground chicken
Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Aromatics and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Warm 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Your pan should feel hot but not smoking.
- Drop 1 teaspoon minced garlic and 1 teaspoon grated ginger into the oil. Sauté for exactly 30 seconds until your kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma.
- Add 1 pound ground chicken to the skillet. Break meat into small crumbles using a wooden spoon while cooking for 5-7 minutes until the chicken turns golden brown and reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Whisk ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ cup water, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a separate bowl until completely combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture directly over the cooked chicken. Stir thoroughly to coat every piece of meat.
- Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Pour into the skillet and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until your sauce thickens and clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Remove from heat and transfer immediately to a serving dish. Sprinkle 2 sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds on top for a fresh finish.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, ensuring each portion gets an equal amount of saucy chicken.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for the most vibrant flavor, avoiding pre-chopped versions that can taste flat.
- Break ground chicken into small, even pieces while cooking to ensure uniform browning and prevent large clumps.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free hoisin sauce.
- Create a spicier dish by increasing red pepper flakes or adding a dash of sriracha for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 10-13 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 293 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg