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General Tsao's Chicken

The Washington Post, June 3, 2009

Cooking for One

  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Course: Main Course
  • Features: Fast

Summary:

Author Suzanne Pirret includes recipes for typical takeout dishes in her book as a way of encouraging solo cooks to break free of the "white origami boxes," as she calls them. This can come together more quickly than most Chinese restaurants could deliver it, and it's less greasy than many restaurant versions.

Serve over rice.

1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces boneless skinless (uncooked) chicken breast or chicken tenderloins, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • Dash ground white pepper
  • 1 large egg white, beaten
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon water
  • 1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped (about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1-inch piece peeled ginger root, finely grated (about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, or more to taste
  • 1/4 cup homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Peanut oil, for frying
  • 1 scallion, white and light-green parts, cut into thin slices on the diagonal
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

Combine the chicken, soy sauce, white pepper, egg white and 3 teaspoons of the cornstarch in a small bowl; stir until the mixture clumps together.

Use a fork to whisk together the remaining teaspoon of cornstarch and the water in a liquid measuring cup to form a paste. Add the garlic, ginger, sugar, vinegar and chicken broth; mix well to form a sauce. Taste and add sugar and/or vinegar as needed.

Heat enough of the oil to measure 1/2 inch deep in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Line a plate with a few layers of paper towels.

Add the chicken to the skillet or wok in a single layer, then stir-fry immediately a few times, scraping it from the bottom to keep the chicken from sticking. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until the chicken is golden and crisped. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to transfer it to the paper-towel-lined plate to drain.

Pour out all but 1 teaspoon of the oil, then return the skillet or wok to medium-high heat.

Add the scallion and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then add the sauce and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens.

Return the chicken to skillet or wok, stirring to heat through and coat with the sauce. Eat hot.

Recipe Source:

Adapted from Pirret's "The Pleasure is All Mine" (William Morrow, 2009).

Tested by Joe Yonan for The Washington Post.
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.
Average Reader Rating:

(Julia Ewan - The Washington Post)
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: Per serving (using low-sodium chicken broth)
Calories: 342
% Daily Values*
Total Fat: 9g 14
Saturated Fat: 2g 10
Cholesterol: 99mg 33
Sodium: 522mg22
Total Carbohydrates: 18g 6
Dietary Fiber: 1g 4
Sugar: 5g
Protein: 44g
*Percent Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Total Fat: Less than65g
Saturated Fat: Less than20g
Cholesterol: Less than300mg
Sodium:Less than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrates: 300g
Dietary Fiber: 25g
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