General Tso’s chicken

This history and mystery of General Tso's chicken has sparked much curiosity. Recreate the ubiquitous Chinese-American dish at home and serve with rice and your favorite steamed veggie for a better-than-takeout dinner.

General Tso’s chicken may be the emblematic go-to dish at Chinese restaurants across North America but this supposedly Hunan dish is virtually unknown in China.

In her 2013 cookbook "Every Grain of Rice–Simple Chinese Home Cooking," Fuchsia Dunlop explains that General Tso’s chicken was actually invented by a Hunanese chef in exile. Peng Chang-kuei fled to Taiwan after the Chinese Revolution (1949-50). He moved to New York City in 1973 where he opened a Hunanese restaurant.

While Mr. Peng invented General Tso’s chicken in Taiwan, naming it for the Qing Dynasty military leader Tso Tsung-t’ang, he propelled the dish to its current apex of popularity through his former New York  restaurant. The original dish was redolent with the flavors of Hunanese cuisine – heavy, sour, hot and salty. In a bid to appeal to his American customers, Mr. Peng added sugar. And it worked! Today, his General Tso’s chicken is widely imitated and widely celebrated.

Dunlop’s recipe stays true to Mr. Peng’s original version but I adapted it to imitate the flavors we’re more familiar with here in the US.

The history – and mystery – of General Tso’s chicken has sparked much curiosity, including a new documentary, "The Search for General Tso," that is out in select theaters this month. Directed by Ian Cheney, it was also co-produced by Jennifer 8. Lee, the author behind "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles," an excellent book tracing the Chinese-American experience through the lens of food.

One thing’s definitely not a mystery – General Tso’s chicken is one tasty dish!

General Tso’s chicken
Serves 4 

Although I’ve seen potato starch (or flour) in several Japanese recipes (in particular, chicken karaage), I’ve never used it before and was pleasantly surprised. The chicken turned out light and crispy and the frying oil was clean, i.e. no floaty bits! This is good news for the gluten-free. You can substitute potato starch for all purpose flour in many recipes from sweet and sour chicken to honey pork chops. If you don’t have potato starch, corn starch is fine.

Sauce

1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon potato starch
1-1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 cup water

Marinade

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shaoxing Chinese wine or dry sherry [editor's note: optional may substitute orange juice]
1 egg white, beaten
2 tablespoons potato flour

1 pound (4 to 5) skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch chunks
Vegetable oil for frying
8 dried red chilies, shoulders snipped and seeds removed
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger (1×1-inch piece)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 large cloves)
Chopped green onions for garnish

1. For the sauce, combine the sugar, tomato paste, potato starch, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water in a small bowl. Stir until the potato starch has dissolved and no more lumps are visible. Set aside.

2. For the marinade, combine the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (if using), egg white,and potato starch in a large bowl. Add the chicken and mix well to coat.

3. Pour about 1-1/2 inches oil into a 14” wok or Dutch oven and set over high heat until the oil reaches about 350 degrees F. Carefully lower the chicken into the oil (preferably piece by piece so they don’t stick) and fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp and golden. Using a metal spider or slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked (I had 3 batches). Let the oil cool down a little and pour into a heatproof container (I used a glass jar). Wipe the wok clean.

4. Set the wok back on the stove over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When hot, toss in the chilies and stir for a few seconds, until they just start to darken in color. Don’t let them turn burn! Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the ginger and garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the sauce, stirring as it thickens. Return the chicken to the wok and stir continuously to coat. Remove to a serving dish and scatter with green onions. Serve with freshly steamed rice and a vegetable side dish.

Related post on Pickles and Tea: Asian BBQ Sauce and Pulled Pork Sandwiches