Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe- Made With Popcorn Chicken

If you love the taste of this popular Chinese American dish you are going to love this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. Crispy chicken bites tossed in a thick sauce that tastes sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy all at the same time!

The saucy chicken is then served over a bed of white rice. However, sometimes broccoli is also served with it to make it a complete meal.

The crunch of the broccoli and its earthy flavor pairs very well with the sweet and tangy sauce that coats the breaded chicken pieces. However, not every restaurant serves it with broccoli and it isn’t necessary to make the meal delicious.

No matter how it is made, it is so good that it has earned the number one spot as America’s favorite Chinese American take out meal. Although instead of ordering take out, you can now easily make it yourself at home!

However, this time we are going to make it using an important short cut to save you a ton of time. Instead of starting with raw chicken pieces that need to be breaded and fried, we are going to use frozen popcorn chicken instead.

By using frozen breaded chicken pieces this dish will come together in a fraction of the time. Simply cook the chicken per the package instructions and then toss the chicken in the sauce. It is that easy!

Ingredients Required To Make General Tso’s Chicken Sauce

Although you could go out and purchase a bottle of pre-made sauce at the grocery store, it is much healthier to make your own. And it is much easier than you think!

However, because the sauce is the star of the show there are several ingredients that you will need. Most of them you likely have in your pantry, especially if you make other Asian inspired meals at home.

• Chicken stock
• Light brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Sesame oil
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Chili paste (optional for heat)

Soy Sauce vs. Hoisin Sauce

Although many of us are familiar with soy sauce, hoisin sauce isn’t a common ingredient in many homes across America. However you will find it on the table at most Asian restaurants as a condiment.

Soy sauce most often includes 5 simple ingredients. Soybeans, wheat, water, salt and yeast are used to make this salty brown umami sauce.

However, you can now find soy sauce that is gluten free. Instead of using wheat, rice is used in the brewing process.

Soy sauce is used in hoisin sauce, but hoisin sauce also contains a variety of other ingredients that gives it a distinct flavor and texture. One of the main ingredients in traditional hoisin sauce is soybean paste.

In addition to soybeans, hoisin sauce often includes garlic, sesame oil, chilies, vinegar, and sugar to add a little sweetness. Hoisin sauce is much thicker and has a more intense flavor.

The thick sauce alone is common to use as a glaze for meats, a dipping sauce for egg rolls, or as an addition to stir fry recipes including this Easy General Tso’s chicken recipe.

What is Chili Paste

In addition to hoisin sauce, this recipe has the option of adding chili paste to add a little heat to the recipe. However, the term chili paste can be confusing among consumers. This is because it can be found in many forms at the grocery store.

In its purest form chili paste is made entirely of crushed chile peppers. However today you can find it chili paste labels on various bottles of paste, sauces and gels.

This is because it can be mixed with other ingredients but it still retain the name of chili paste. For instance, garlic is often added to chili paste and used as an addition to recipes or as a condiment.

However, for this recipe look for a standard Chili Paste to add both flavor and heat to this recipe. Of course for those that don’t like any heat, simply omit the chili paste all together.

Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound frozen popcorn chicken
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon chili paste (optional for heat)

Serving Ingredients

• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• sesame seeds
• cooked white rice or fried rice

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by cooking the popcorn chicken per the package directions. It is best to cook the chicken in the oven or in an air fryer so that it can retain its crispy exterior.

While the chicken cooks prepare the General Tso’s sauce. In a medium size bowl add the chicken stock, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil.

Whisk the sauce to combine. Be sure to keep whisking until there are no clumps of cornstarch visible. Set this sauce aside.

Once the chicken is finished cooking remove the chicken from the oven or air fryer and set the chicken aside. Now it is time to start cooking the sauce.

In a large skillet placed over medium-high heat add the oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot and shimmery add the garlic, ginger, and chili paste and cook it, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.

Quickly pour in the sauce that you made earlier and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it slightly thickens.

Then add the cooked popcorn chicken into the skillet and toss the chicken pieces in the sauce until they are well coated.

Serve the Easy General Tso’s Chicken immediately with a serving of cooked white rice or fried rice. Garnish the tops with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

How To Store & Reheat

Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

However, the chicken pieces will not be as crispy as when you enjoyed it immediately after it was cooked.

Healthier Option

As much as I love using popcorn chicken to make all sorts of recipes, including the famous Popcorn Chicken Mashed Potato Bowls, sometimes I want to make a healthier version of this recipe.

In that case I use my Instant Pot to make Healthy General Tso’s Chicken instead using unbreaded chicken breasts.

Enjoy! Mary

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